Josh Jackson, Josey Jewell earn Big Ten awards

Iowa’s pair of defensive catalysts snagged individual conference awards on Thursday.

December 1, 2017

Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson attempts to intercept a pass during the Iowa/Nebraska football game in Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cornhuskers, 56-14. (Joseph Cress/The Daily Iowan)

Hawkeye linebacker Josey Jewell and cornerback Josh Jackson earned individual Big Ten awards, the conference announced Thursday.

Jewell earned the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year awards. Jackson won the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award.

Jewell’s 125 tackles this season ranks third in the country, despite missing a game with injury earlier this season at Northwestern. He also has 13.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery on the season.

RELATED: Josey Jewell snags Jack Lambert award

The pair of Big Ten awards may not be the last hardware Jewell takes home this season; the Decorah native is a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Senior CLASS Award, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Jewell is the first Hawkeye since Leroy Smith in 1991 to win the Nagurski-Woodson award. He’s the school’s first Butkus-Fitzgerald recipient.

Meanwhile, Jackson continues his quest as one of the country’s top defensive backs. The Corinth, Texas, native has 7 interceptions this season — tied for No. 1 in the nation — en route to being the third Hawkeye in school history to win the Tatum-Woodson Award.

About the Contributor

Adam Hensley, Pregame Editor

Email: [email protected] Twitter: @A_Hens83 Adam Hensley is the current Pregame Editor at the DI, covering football, men's basketball, and baseball. Formerly the DI Sports Editor, Hensley has been on staff for all four years of his time at the University of Iowa, covering a wide range of sports, including cross-country, track and field, and women's basketball.