AMES — The Iowa State football team had three defensive players earn spots on preseason watch lists Tuesday.

Iowa State defensive backs Jontez Williams and Jeremiah Cooper were named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list, while defensive tackle Domonique Orange was placed on the Outland Trophy watch list.

Iowa State is one of two Big 12 schools to place multiple players on the Nagurski Trophy watch list.

Williams anchored the defense as a lock down cornerback a season ago, earning second-team all-Big 12 honors. He allowed only one touchdown and a 19.6 passer rating in 338 coverage snaps in 2024. Williams is the highest-graded returning corner in the Big 12, per PFF.

The Starke, Fla., native led the Cyclones and tied for third in the Big 12 with four interceptions to go along with five pass breakups. All four of his interceptions came in consecutive games which tied for the second-longest streak in school history.

Cooper, an honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree last season, started all 14 games as a key piece of the Cyclone secondary. He led ISU with eight pass breakups, snared two interceptions and finished fourth on the team with 48 tackles.

Cooper’s seven career interceptions are tied for the eighth-most nationally among active players.

Orange, a Kansas City, Mo., native, earned honorable mention accolades in 2023 and 2024. He finished the 2024 season in impressive fashion, recording 14 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, in the final five games of the season. Overall, he had 24 tackles, 4.5 of which came for a loss.