11 Cyclones named to Athlon’s preseason All-Big 12 teams

Sep 24, 2016; Ames, IA, USA;  Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Allen Lazard (5) catches a touchdown pass while defended by San Jose State Spartans cornerback Andre Chachere (21) during the game at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State has 11 players on Athlon Sports‘ preseason All-Big 12 teams, the magazine announced on Tuesday. The Iowa Staters on the list are led by first-team selections wide receiver Allen Lazard and safety Kamari Cotton-Moya.

Cornerback Brian Peavy is the team’s only second-team pick, but running back David Montgomery, offensive tackle Jake Campos, defensive end JaQuan Bailey, linebacker Willie Harvey and punt returner Trever Ryen represent the Cyclones on the third-team.

Defensive tackle Ray Lima, kicker Garrett Owens and punter Colin Downing are on the fourth-team. Lima and Owens are yet to play a game in an Iowa State uniform.

Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State led the league with 15 selections while Kansas State had 13. The criteria for the teams is based on past performance and awards, but mostly on “predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year.”