King named FWAA all-American

The Desmond King victory tour continued Monday.

The Iowa cornerback was named first-team all-American by the AutoNation Football Writers Association of America. King now has been named first-team all-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and The Associated Press. If he finds his way to the The Sporting News all-American list (announced tomorrow) and the American Football Coaches Association (coming Wednesday), King will be on the consensus all-American team (named by the NCAA) on Thursday.

The FWAA honor marks at least the sixth outlet that has named King as a first team all-American. He also earned all-American from ESPN.com, USA Today and SI.com.

On Thursday, King was named winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, presented anually to the best defensive back in college football. Last week, he won the Jack Tatum Award, also given to the nation's top defensive back. King also earned the Big Ten's defensive back of the year award and was a finalist for the Walter Camp Football Foundation player of the year (won by Alabama running back Derrick Henry).

He was a first-team all-Big Ten selection on the coaches and media ballots, coming in as the lone unanimous pick on the media side.

King, a junior, tied the school record with a Big Ten-leading eight interceptions during the Hawkeyes' 12-0 regular season. King was third in the Big Ten with 20 pass breakups and fifth on the team with 67 tackles (fourth in solo tackles with 43).

He is a three-year starter for the Hawkeyes and has started 37 games, with a streak of 36 ending in the season finale against Nebraska because of a minor team violation (late for a meeting).

In Atlanta, Ga., last weeek for the Thorpe announcement, King told ESPN college football reporter Joe Schad that he is leaning on a return for his senior season at Iowa. After the No. 5 Hawkeyes' 16-13 loss to No. 4 Michigan State in the Big Ten title game last weekend, King said, 'Season's not over for me. When the time comes, I'll let everyone know.”

The deadline to apply for early entry into the NFL draft is Jan. 18, 2016.

King tied Iowa's season interception mark held of eight by Lou King (1981) and Nile Kinnick (1939). He has a chance to break that record when the Hawkeyes take on No. 6 Stanford in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

King's selection gives the Iowa football program a first-team selection on the football writers team for the second straight season. Offensive tackle Brandon Scherff earned consensus all-America honors a year ago.

King is the first Hawkeye defensive back to earn first team All-America honors since Merton Hanks in 1990. He is the 14th Hawkeye to earn first team honors under coach Kirk Ferentz.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com