Iowa football LB named to Jason Witten Man of the Year watch list

Fifth-year Iowa linebacker Jayden Montgomery has been named to the 2026 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year watch list.

Nominated by their schools, the watch list members have all demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship on and off the field.

The 5-foot-11, 227-pounder saw action in all 13 games last season, including seven starts at linebacker. Montgomery registered 44 tackles (24 solo), two passes defended and one tackle for loss in 2025.

We are proud to announce the watch list for the 10th annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year was announced today, a group that includes 89 of the nation’s top leaders in college football. The members of have all demonstrated a record of leadership on and off the field. pic.twitter.com/wHVer0LRoD

— Jason Witten Award (@WittenCMOY) September 10, 2026

A three-time Coaches Appreciation Award honoree, the Suamico, Wis., native is one of eight seniors serving on the team's Leadership Council in 2026. Montgomery is also a candidate for the 2026 Wuerffel Trophy and Butkus Award.

Twenty semifinalists will be selected by a subset of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Selection Committee and announced on Oct. 13. Then, three finalists will be named for the award on Dec. 14. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony in spring of 2027.

Montgomery and the rest of the 21st-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes are scheduled for a 6:36 p.m. CT kickoff on Saturday against Iowa State, with the contest broadcast on NBC.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football LB named to Jason Witten Man of the Year watch list