IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa junior tight end Noah Fant headlines a list of six Hawkeyes named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big Ten team Wednesday.
Fant, who led all FBS tight ends averaging 16.5 yards per catch in 2017, landed on the All-Big Ten first team. He led Iowa and all FBS tight ends with 11 touchdown receptions, and ranked second on the team with a career-high 30 receptions.
Junior defensive end Anthony Nelson represented the Hawkeye defense on the All-Big Ten second team. Nelson led the Hawkeyes with a career-best 7.5 sacks, fifth in the Big Ten, and totaled 41 tackles, including 9.5 for loss.
Senior center Keegan Render and senior kicker Miguel Recinos were named to the third team, and senior defensive lineman Parker Hesse and sophomore defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa were named to the fourth team.
The complete Athlon Sports preseason team is available at athlonsports.com.
Iowa opens the 2018 season hosting Northern Illinois on Sept. 1 in the first of seven home games at Kinnick Stadium. For ticket information visit hawkeyesports.com/fightforiowa.