Osemele, Knott, Johnson & Lenz gather preseason honors

Below is a press release courtesy of Iowa State Athletic Communications.

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.