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Amani Hooker Named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year Award, Ihmir Smith-Marsette named Returner of the Year

The Big Ten Conference’s defensive and special teams accolades for football were announced on Monday evening, and a slew of Hawkeyes earned nods, including Amani Hooker, AJ Epenesa, Anthony Nelson, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Of course, the biggest nod went to Hooker, as he’s the fourth Hawkeye in the past seven seasons to win the Tatum-Woodson award, given to the most outstanding defensive back in the Big Ten each season. Josh Jackson won the award in 2017, Desmond King won it in 2015, and Micah Hyde was the recipient of the award in 2012.