Iowa’s Riley Moss, Charlie Jones earn Big Ten honors

Moss is defensive back of year, Jones return specialist of year

Nov. 30, 2021 12:14 pm, Updated: Nov. 30, 2021 5:23 pm

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Riley Moss (33) celbrates as he scores a touchdown in the first quarter at an Iowa Hawkeyes football game with the Indiana Hoosiers at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — The Big Ten named Riley Moss its Defensive Back of the Year, and Charlie Jones the Return Specialist of the Year, the conference said Tuesday.

Moss, who has four interceptions in 2021, is the second Iowa defensive back to win the award in the last three years. Amani Hooker won the award in 2019.

Jones, meanwhile, is the first Iowa player to win Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year since Ihmir Smith-Marsette in 2018.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said he’s “happy for those two guys.”

“It’s really a special honor for both players,” Ferentz said.

Defensive back Dane Belton also earned all-Big Ten first team honors from both coaches and media.

Kicker Caleb Shudak was a first-team honoree among media and second-team honoree among coaches. Ferentz said Shudak is “certainly worthy” and has “had a great season.”

Linebacker Jack Campbell was a first-team media selection and third-team coaches selection. Defensive end Zach VanValkenburg and cornerback Matt Hankins received second-team honors.

Safety Jack Koerner, defensive tackle Noah Shannon, punter Tory Taylor and linebacker Seth Benson were honorable mentions.

The conference will announce its offensive awards on Wednesday.