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Iowa State University Athletics
Knott, Osemele Make Preseason All-Big 12 Team
07.19.2011 | Football
DALLAS - Iowa State linebacker Jake Knott and offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele have been named to the 2011 Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Football Team, chosen by media representatives who cover the league. There was only one preseason team.
Knott is a 2011 Iowa State co-captain who is a consensus pre-season All-Big 12 linebacker after earning second-team honors as a sophomore. The Waukee native had one of the best sophomore seasons in Iowa State history in 2010. He averaged 10.8 tackles per game, ranking second in the Big 12 and 12th nationally. Knott made 130 tackles, broke up five passes, made four interceptions and forced four fumbles. The junior made a career-high 16 tackles at Colorado and broke up three Buffalo passes.
Knott has already made the national watch lists of the Bednarik Award (top defender nationally), the Butkus Award (nation's most outstanding linebacker), the Lombardi Award (top college lineman or linebacker) and the Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year).
Osemele is a consensus pre-season first or second-team All-American at offensive tackle. NFL draft services have pegged the 6-6, 347-pound senior for first-round selection in the 2012 league draft. Osemele is a two-time all-Big 12 selection. The Houston native has made the preseason watch lists of the Outland Trophy (nation's top interior lineman) and the Lombardi Award.
Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State), linebacker Travis Lewis (Oklahoma) and running back Malcolm Brown (Texas) were picked for individual awards, highlighting the 2011 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team, chosen by media representatives who cover the Conference. Preseason Offensive Player of the Year was awarded to Blackmon while Lewis earned the nod for preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Brown was chosen preseason Newcomer of the Year.
The media Preseason Big 12 Poll will be released on Wednesday, followed by the annual Big 12 Football Media Days to be conducted in Dallas on July 25-26. Live video coverage, including press conferences and one-on-one interviews with a variety of guests, will be featured daily on Big12Sports.com.
To see the entire 2011 Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Football Team click here.
Players Mentioned
Jaylen Raynor 4_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
Zaimir Hawk 4_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
Tyler Roehl 2_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
Jesse Bobbit 4_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
