Indiana Football: Jaylin Lucas headlines six Hoosiers on Athlon Sports All-Big Ten teams

The All-Big Ten teams from Athlon Sports were announced on Monday and numerous Indiana football players received an honor.

The headliner from Indiana was Jaylin Lucas. The All-American kick returner was named a First-Team Specialist by Athlon Sports. Lucas comes into the 2023 season after totaling 591 kick return yards last season. He averaged 28.1 yards per return which ranked No. 4 nationally.

He added 271 rushing yards and 82 yards receiving to total 994 total all-purpose yards on the season.

Lucas was also named a Preseason Walter Camp All-American.

The speedster has been terrific already this offseason, having numerous standout plays in spring practice.

“He had two of the greatest runs I’ve seen in my life. It’s a shame they were behind closed doors,” IU offensive coordinator Walt Bell said. “He’s done a great job mentally of doing the things we need him to do … He’s playing all over the field … he’s now really become a true multi-purpose tool. We still have to continue to evolve and develop those tools, but if he gets it — enough time, we will be in every game … he was just making a lot of people miss, fall down. He has a really special gift and one of the better ball in hand players I’ve been around.”

There were two offensive players on the three teams. Wide receiver Cam Camper was a Third-Team All-Big Ten selection from Athlon Sports. He is coming off of a terrific season in his first year in Bloomington. Despite playing in just seven games, Camper finished 2022 with 46 catches for 569 yards and two touchdowns.

He is coming off of a torn ACL.

His biggest game was the season-opener against Illinois. He had 11 catches for 156 yards while defended by Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon was just selected No. 5 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

The other member of one of the offensive teams was offensive lineman Matthew Bedford. He was named to the Fourth-Team.

Bedford missed the final 11 games last season after suffering a torn ACL in the season-opener. Bedford was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection in 2021.

Defensively, Aaron Casey was named to the Second Team. Casey is coming off of a fabulous 2022 season in which he led the Indiana football program in tackles. In total, he finished with 86 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Indiana lost nine of its top 10 leading tacklers from a season ago. Aaron Casey is the lone returner. So, a big 2023 is in store for the linebacker.

On the All-Big Ten Third-Team is Western Michigan transfer Andre Carter.

Carter arrives at Indiana after totaling 70 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception last season.

IU head coach Tom Allen had high praise for the senior.

“He is the biggest, most physical one we’ve had here since I’ve been here. Very, very disruptive … Got to get him in elite shape. He is not there yet.”

The final Indiana football player on an All-Big Ten team is punter James Evans, who is labeled a Third-Team Specialist.

Indiana is looking to improve on a 4-8 season in 2022.

SEE ALSO: Storylines to follow for Indiana football following spring practice

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics.