Can college football season get here already? Well, I know it’s get closer when media releases like this hit my inbox.
Two University of Iowa football players earned preseason All-America recognition. Offensive lineman Riley Reiff has been named Playboy preseason All-America first team. Reiff and wide receiver Marvin McNutt, Jr., (Isn’t that the most fun name you’ve ever had the chance to read?) were both named Phil Steele’s preseason All-America team. Reiff was third team and McNutt fourth.
Reiff, a 6-6, 300-pounder (It’s Iowa of course they have a ton of giant white boys who are really good at playing OL) from Parkston, S.D., becomes the 17th Iowa player ever named to the Playboy team. The junior is the sixth Kirk Ferentz coached Hawkeye to make the list. Former Hawkeyes Nate Kaeding, Robert Gallery, Matt Roth and Chad Greenway were named to the team earlier in the Ferentz era, while Adrian Clayborn was named in 2010.
Ferentz was also named the Playboy Coach of the Year in 2003.
Reiff, one of five offensive linemen named to the Playboy team, has started 21 consecutive games. Reiff garnered second team All Big Ten honors in 2010.
McNutt, Jr., a 6-4 senior from St. Louis, started all 13 games in 2010 en route to second team All-Big Ten honors. He led Iowa in receptions (53) and yards (861) and was second in touchdown receptions (eight). McNutt has accumulated 16 career receiving touchdowns, tying him for the fourth-most in Iowa history.
Senior cornerback Shaun Prater was named to the first team defense.
Seven other Hawkeyes made Steele’s team. Senior defensive end Broderick Binns, sophomore linebacker James Morris and junior safety Micah Hyde were all named to the second team defense. Two sophomores, running back Marcus Coker and offensive lineman Nolan MacMillan, were named to the third team offense. In addition, senior defensive tackle Mike Daniels was named to the third team defense and senior linebacker Tyler Nielsen was named to the fourth team defense.
The Hawkeyes open the regular season Sept. 3 against Tennessee Tech at home.