By Mario Williams
Five Hawkeyes — seniors C.J. Beathard, Jaleel Johnson, and George Kittle, and juniors Josey Jewell and Sean Welsh were among the 158 candidates selected for the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list.
The watch list includes student-athletes who demonstrate outstanding performance and skill in their selected positions and best represent discipline, virtue, and wisdom that defined Vince Lombardi’s brand of leadership.
All five athletes were key to Iowa’s success last season with an undefeated regular season (12-2 overall) and a Big Ten West Division title.
On the offensive side, quarterback Beathard started in all 14 games, passing for 2,809 yards and 17 touchdowns while also rushing for 237 yards and six touchdowns. Kittle also played in all 14 games, starting six. The tight end hauled in 20 receptions for 290 yards and led the Hawks with six touchdown receptions. Welsh and the offensive line led an attack that amassed 2,544 yards rushing last season and scored 35 touchdowns on the ground, which ranked second most in the Big Ten and 12th nationally through 14 games.
Defensively, Jewell and Johnson were part of a squad last season that allowed 11 rushing touchdowns, seventh lowest total in the country. Jewell led the Hawks with 126 total tackles, including 62 solo stops and three sacks. His four interceptions also ranked second on the team. Johnson started all 14 games and recorded 45 tackles.
Iowa will open its 2016 season against Miami (Ohio) on Sep. 3.