Young and Simmons named Freshman All-Americans by The Athletic

Oct 3, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State defensive back Isheem Young (1) celebrates his interception with Iowa State linebacker O’Rien Vance (34) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium. The interception would seal the win for Iowa State 37-30. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports

A pair of Iowa State’s youngsters picked up national honors on Tuesday when The Athletic released its Freshman All-American team.

Safety Isheem Young and offensive guard Darrell Simmons were each featured on the publication’s second-team. The Cyclones have now had five freshman All-Americans in the last three seasons as Young and Simmons join teammates Mike Rose (2018), Breece Hall and Trevor Downing (2019).

Young, the Big 12’s co-defensive freshman of the year, has recorded 46 tackles this season, which is good for fourth on the team, while adding two tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception that sealed the program’s first win over Oklahoma in Ames since 1960.

Simmons may be the biggest breakout surprise of Iowa State’s 2020 season as the former three-star recruit slid into the starting lineup in place of Downing for the team’s second game then helped make up one of the program’s best offensive fronts in recent years. He was named an honorable mention All-Big 12 pick late last week.

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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