Osemele, Knott, Johnson & Lenz gather preseason honors

**ChrisMWilliams** · 05-31-2011, 11:46 AM

Iowa State offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele has been named a 2011 preseason second-team All-American in The Sporting News and Lindy’s Sports. Linebacker Jake Knott, defensive back Leonard Johnson and punt returner/wide receiver Josh Lenz all earned All-Big 12 recognition as more preseason magazines hit the newsstands and the internet.

Osemele, who was a first-team preseason All-American by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, is slated by NFL Draft prognosticators to be a first-round pick in 2012. Osemele has started 30 straight games and played in 36 contests for Iowa State. The 6-6, 354-pound lineman was also recognized as a first-team All-Big 12 honoree by The Sporting News and Lindy’s Sports.

Iowa State linebacker Jake Knott was named to the 2011 preseason first-team All-Big 12 squad by The Sporting News. The Sporting News also lists the junior as the league’s Biggest Overachiever. He is a second-team all-conference selection by the preseason Athlon Sports and Lindy’s Sports magazines.

Knott had one of the best sophomore seasons in Iowa State history in 2010, averaging 10.8 tackles per game. He ranked second in the Big 12 in that category last season. The Waukee native made 130 tackles, grabbing four interceptions and breaking up five passes, while forcing four fumbles in 2010.

Iowa State cornerback Leonard Johnson is a first-team All-Big 12 corner by Athlon’s and a second-team honoree by Lindy’s. Johnson earned second-team all-conference honors from the league’s coaches after last season. One of the best cover corners in Cyclone history, Johnson has accrued 175 career tackles with five interceptions while breaking up 18 passes.

Josh Lenz of Dubuque was named to the Athlon’s second-team All-Big 12 unit as a punt returner. Lenz averaged 10.4 yards per return last season, including a 62-yard return for a score against Kansas.

**BCoffClone125** · 05-31-2011, 12:06 PM

Nice to see some ISU players getting some much deserved pre-season recognition. When was the last time we had a pre-season All-American on our team like KO? I can't think of anybody in recent memory.

**jj-cyclones** · 05-31-2011, 12:22 PM

We need a big year from Lenz at WR imo but nice to get the ball in his hands on SP.

I hope to see TB on an All Big 12 team (after the season) with him switching to saftey.

**creightonclone** · 05-31-2011, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by BCoffClone125

Nice to see some ISU players getting some much deserved pre-season recognition. When was the last time we had a pre-season All-American on our team like KO? I can't think of anybody in recent memory.

It doesn't matter unless we win ball games. Awards are nice, but wins are better. We have to protect the quarterback this season.

**Sloup** · 05-31-2011, 01:29 PM

The only reason somebody would call Jake Knott the "biggest overachiever" is because he plays at Iowa State. If he were playing at this level at Oklahoma, for instance, he would be in the conversation for best LB in the league.

**VeloClone** · 05-31-2011, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Sloup

The only reason somebody would call Jake Knott the "biggest overachiever" is because he plays at Iowa State. If he were playing at this level at Oklahoma, for instance, he would be in the conversation for best LB in the league.

Perhaps this will explain why the "biggest overachiever" tag fits and is perfectly appropriate. He's the biggest overachiever because he was a hair's breadth from simply having to walk on to play BCS ball. I think he still is in the conversation for best LB in the league. Forgive me for the source...

Big Game: ISU’s Knott ‘too small’ for everyone but Rhoads | Hawk Central

**brett108** · 05-31-2011, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by BCoffClone125

Nice to see some ISU players getting some much deserved pre-season recognition. When was the last time we had a pre-season All-American on our team like KO? I can't think of anybody in recent memory.

I am pretty sure Troy Davis made at least some kind of preseason team.

**Cyclonestate78** · 05-31-2011, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by creightonclone

It doesn't matter unless we win ball games. Awards are nice, but wins are better. We have to find a quarterback this season.

Fixed that one for accuracy.

**VeloClone** · 05-31-2011, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonestate78

Fixed that one for accuracy.

Well if we aren't going to protect him, we'd better find three.

**Yes13** · 05-31-2011, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Sloup

The only reason somebody would call Jake Knott the "biggest overachiever" is because he plays at Iowa State. If he were playing at this level at Oklahoma, for instance, he would be in the conversation for best LB in the league.

He's also white and considered unathletic no matter how athletic he really is.

**xboxfever** · 05-31-2011, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by brett108

I am pretty sure Troy Davis made at least some kind of preseason team.

That would have been 15 years ago. I feel old.

**Cykobabble** · 06-02-2011, 03:44 PM

You can purchase your copy of Phil Steele's 2011 College Football Preview now. I stopped by the Ankeny Target and they had 12 glossy copies. I can't wait to delve into it. It's the best out there for the true football junkies! Wow, it's awesome to see Kelechi Osemele as a preseason 1st team All-American! Get out there Clones and get your copy!

**isuno1fan** · 06-02-2011, 04:29 PM

AJ Klein got screwed. He should be on some 2nd teams at least IMO.

**JustRedman** · 06-03-2011, 03:05 PM

Guess who Phil Steele has as 4th team Kick Returner in the Big XII??? None other than Shontrelle Johnson, of IOWA?!?!

**JustRedman** · 06-03-2011, 03:10 PM

Our only individual unit to make the top 40 was special teams @ #16. He lists us as the #2 schedule in the country, down from #1 last year. Basically says ISU is in a rebuilding year and doesn't expect much.
Hey, at least he doesn't expect much because it's a rebuilding year, not just because he thinks we suck. So I got that going for me, which is nice.