Iowa State's Breece Hall, Iowa's Daviyon Nixon named first-team AP All-Americans
It was a banner day for the Iowa and Iowa State football programs, with each landing a player on the Associated Press first-team All-American squad and others on the second and third teams.
Star Iowa State running back Breece Hall and Iowa's disruptive defensive tackle, Daviyon Nixon, were named to the first teams. Hall, a sophomore, joined Alabama's Najee Harris as the first-team running backs after rushing for 1,436 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Cyclones.
Nixon, a junior for Iowa who has emerged as a top NFL Draft prospect for next April if he leaves early, finished with 5.5 sacks and one memorable interception return for a touchdown.
Iowa State and Iowa also had others on the second and third teams.
Ball-hawking linebacker Mike Rose made the second team for the Cyclones after tallying 90 tackles and four interceptions. Teammates JaQuan Bailey (seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss at defensive end) and Charlie Kolar (39 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns at tight end) made the third team.
Meanwhile, Iowa's Tyler Linderbaum earned second-team honors at center after grading out highly all season for the Hawkeyes, which finished the season at 6-2.