Tory Taylor, Cooper DeJean clinch consensus All-America status after receiving AP first-team honors

IOWA CITY — Iowa punter Tory Taylor and defensive back Cooper DeJean can add “consensus All-American” to their resumes.

The duo earned first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press on Monday.

Taylor and DeJean already were named first-team All-Americans from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Football Writers Association of America. Consensus All-America status requires earning first-team recognition from at least three of the five preeminent All-America teams.

It marks the fifth consecutive season in which the Hawkeyes have at least one consensus All-American.

Linebacker Jay Higgins is an AP second-team honoree, and defensive back Sebastian Castro is a third-team honoree. Higgins also is an FWAA first-team All-American and Walter Camp second-team All-American.

Taylor and DeJean can become unanimous All-Americans if they receive first-team nods from the American Football Coaches Association and Sporting News, which will unveil their teams on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Higgins would need first-team recognition from both the AFCA and Sporting News to achieve consensus All-America status.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com