The Sporting News honored three ISU football players with preseason first-team all-Big 12 honors.

Quarterback Bret Meyer, wide receiver Todd Blythe and cornerback DeAndre Jackson were all named to the preseason first-team all-Big 12 team.

Meyer, a junior, threw for 2,876 yards and 19 touchdowns in his sophomore season. Blythe, a junior, caught 51 passes from Meyer for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns last year. Jackson, a senior, ranked second in the Big 12 in 2005 in kickoff returns, with an average of 24.6 yards per return.

The Sporting News also ranked players by position with seven Cyclones ranked in the top 20 including Meyer, No. 15, Blythe, No. 8, Jackson, No. 10, fullback Ryan Kock, No. 7, offensive tackle Aaron Brant, No. 13, defensive tackle Brent Curvey, No. 18, and center Scott Stephenson No. 19.

Brant and Curvey were also named to the preseason second-team all-Big 12 team.

– Matt Kluemper