AP All-America team: 2 Hawkeyes get first-team honors

IOWA CITY, Iowa —

Four Iowa Hawkeyes were selected to The Associated Press All-America team announced Monday, including first-teamers Cooper DeJean and Tory Taylor.

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins was a second-team selection and defensive back Sebastian Castro was included on the third team alongside Iowa State defensive back T.J. Tampa.

Taylor on Friday was named the 2023 winner of the Ray Guy Award, given annually to the best punter in college football.

Taylor booted 86 punts in 2023 for 4,119 yards (47.9 yards per punt). His 86 punts led the nation (for the second season in a row) and his career punting average of 46.2 yards per attempt is the best in Big Ten history.

DeJean had 41 total tackles and two interceptions before suffering a season-ending injury in November. He also returned a punt for touchdown against Michigan State and had another against Minnesota called back.

Video above: Tory Taylor wins Ray Guy award as nation’s top punter

DeJean, Taylor and Higgins were all named Monday to the Football Writers Association of America’s All-America first team — making Iowa the only school with three FWAA first-teamers.

Higgins leads the team with 155 tackles, with six tackles for loss and an interception.

Castro has had three interceptions, including one against Iowa State that he returned for a touchdown, along with 61 total tackles and eight tackles for loss.

Tampa had two interceptions for Iowa State and 41 total tackles.