Lima named preseason second-team All-American by The Athletic

Nov 24, 2018; Ames, IA, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Dalvin Warmack (3) is tackled by Iowa State Cyclones defensive lineman Ray Lima (76) at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones beat the Wildcats 42 to 38. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Another day, another preseason honor for Ray Lima.

The Cyclones’ senior nose guard was named a second-team preseason All-American on Tuesday by The Athletic. The honor adds to an already extensive list of offseason recognition Lima has received including being named to the Lott Impact, Wuerffel, Nagurski and Outland Trophy watch lists plus the preseason All-Big 12 team.

The Los Angeles native is widely regarded as one of the biggest keys to Iowa State’s rise to become one of the best defenses in the Big 12 and in all of college football. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound JUCO product has recorded 59 tackles, eight tackles for loss and a pass breakup during his first two years with the program.

Iowa State has not had a defensive lineman finish the season on an All-American team since Mike Stensrud in 1978, somewhat ironically, the last time the Cyclones entered the season ranked in the preseason AP Top-25 — a feat the program accomplished for the second time on Monday when the poll was unveiled with ISU coming in at No. 21.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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