December 21, 2024

Four Cyclones named to preseason all-Big 12 team

Creston graduate Trevor Downing took over center duties for the Iowa State Cyclones in the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando. Downing is tabbed as the starting center for the Cyclones this fall. (JARED LARSON)

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State had four players named to the 2022 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team, announced today by the Big 12 Conference. Senior tight end Jared Rus, wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson and offensive lineman Trevor Downing earned a spot on the offensive side of the ball, while defensive end Will McDonald IV was also named to the team.

The team was chosen by media representatives who cover the league.

McDonald is one of the nation’s top defensive ends, earning First Team All-American accolades last season in addition to being named the Big 12 Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year. The Pewaukee, Wisconsin, native tied for the Big 12 lead in sacks for the second-straight season with 11.5, breaking his own single-season school record and finishing ninth nationally. No player has as many sacks as McDonald since 2020 (22.0). He is ISU’s all-time sack leader and the nation’s active leader (29.0), which ties for fourth in Big 12 history.

Hutchinson earned First Team All-Big 12 honors in 2021 for the second-straight season while breaking the ISU single-season record and leading the Big 12 with 83 receptions. The Jacksonville, Florida, native finished with 987 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He leads all active Big 12 receivers in career receptions (147, T-14th nationally) and receiving yards (1,758, 18th nationally).

Downing makes the move to center after being named First Team All-Big 12 by the league coaches last season. The Creston, Iowa, native started all 13 games, including the first 12 at right guard before starting at center in the Cheez-It Bowl against Clemson. He was the lynchpin of the offensive line, helping the Cyclones post their fourth-best scoring average (31.3) and fifth-best total offensive average (424.5) in school history.

Rus was named to the preseason team as a fullback, repeating his selection on last season’s postseason squad. He was a key performer on ISU’s power package formations, playing all 13 games and making six starts. When he wasn’t blocking for All-American Breece Hall, Rus grabbed seven passes for 67 yards.

2022 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team

Offensive Player of the Year: Bijan Robinson, Texas, RBDefensive Player of the Year: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, K-State, DLNewcomer of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma, QB

Offense

QB – Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma StateRB – Deuce Vaughn, K-StateRB – Bijan Robinson, TexasFB – Jared Rus, Iowa StateWR – Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa StateWR – Quentin Johnson, TCUWR – Xavier Worthy, TexasTE – Ben Sims, BaylorOL – Connor Galvin, BaylorOL – Jacob Gall, BaylorOL – Trevor Downing, Iowa StateOL – Cooper Beebe, K-StateOL – Zach Frazier, West VirginiaPK – Casey Legg, West VirginiaKR/PR – Malik Knowles, K-State

Defense

DL – Siaki Ika, BaylorDL – Will McDonald IV, Iowa StateDL – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, K-StateDL – Collin Oliver, Oklahoma StateDL – Dante Stills, West VirginiaLB – Dillon Doyle, BaylorLB – Daniel Green, K-StateLB – DeMarvion Overshown, TexasDB – Kenny Logan Jr., KansasDB – Julius Brents, K-StateDB – Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma StateDB – Tre-Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCUDB – Charles Woods, West VirginiaP – Michael Turk, Oklahoma