Mike Rose named Freshman All-American by The Athletic

Nov 24, 2018; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Mike Rose (23) is mobbed by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones beat the Wildcats 42 to 38. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose has been named to The Athletic‘s 2018 Freshman All-American team.

Rose surprised most everyone outside the program by winning the mike linebacker job out of fall camp then burst onto the scene with an 11 tackle performance in his collegiate debut against Iowa. He finished the regular season with 68 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

“The first true freshman to start the season opener on Iowa State’s defense since 2006, Rose quickly emerged as a key player at middle linebacker for a Cyclones defense that ranks second in the Big 12 in yards per play,” The Athletic wrote. “Rose has 68 total tackles with nine tackles for loss, two pass breakups and a fumble return touchdown in the win against Kansas State.”

Rose is the tenth Cyclone to be named to a Freshman All-American team in program history and the first since Kene Nwangwu achieved the honor as a kick returner in 2016. He is the first Iowa State linebacker to achieve the honor and first Cyclone defender since Kamari Cotton-Moya in 2014.