Cooper DeJean, Tory Taylor headline B1G's midseason AP All-America nominations
Cooper DeJean and Tory Taylor have produced some big moments this season for Iowa’s 6-1 start. On Wednesday, that duo was honored via the AP’s midseason All-America team.
Both players landed first-team nominations at the midway point in the season. DeJean was not specified as a cornerback or safety but did receive first-team recognition as a defensive back. Taylor was the first-team punter.
Through 7 games this season, DeJean has 36 total tackles, a mark that ranks fourth on the Hawkeyes with 23 solo tackles. He also has 1.5 TFLs, 2 interceptions and 3 pass breakups though he does not have a pick-6 yet this season.
Taylor has been phenomenal as Iowa’s special teams weapon this season and is averaging 48.6 yards per punt on 46 punts. He has dropped a mind-blowing 18 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, meaning over 39% of his punts this year have been downed deep in the opposing team’s territory.
As for the rest of the B1G, Michigan OG Zak Zinter and Illinois DL Johnny Newton were the only other players to land on the first-team list.
Iowa also had a pair of players recognized on the second-team defense. Those nominations came for LB Jay Higgins and DB Sebastian Castro.
Higgins leads the Hawkeyes with 87 tackles and is averaging a little over 12 stops per game. Castro has 30 total tackles but has delivered 3 interceptions (including a pick-6) and 3 pass breakups.