EAST LANSING — Five Spartans have been named to the All-Big Ten first team and a total of 11 players have received all-conference recognition, as the Big Ten Network announced the 2012 All-Big Ten Teams Monday evening.

The five first-team selections are the most for Michigan State since 1999.

Junior running back Le’Veon Bell, who leads the Big Ten and ranks third in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing with 137.3 yards per game, was a first-team honoree by both the coaches and media. Senior cornerback Johnny Adams, junior linebacker Max Bullough, junior cornerback Darqueze Dennard and sophomore punter Mike Sadler joined Bell on the coaches’ first team.

Junior tight end Dion Sims earned second-team honors from both the coaches and media, while junior defensive end William Gholston was a second-team pick by the media. Adams, Bullough, Dennard and Sadler were also second-team choices by the media.

Junior linebacker Denicos Allen, junior safety Isaiah Lewis, senior right guard Chris McDonald and sophomore defensive end Marcus Rush were all honorable mention selections by both the coaches and media. Gholston was named honorable mention by the coaches.

Bell leads the nation in carries (350) while ranking third in rushing (137.3 ypg.) and 15th in all-purpose yards (155.5 ypg.). His 1,648 rushing yards (second) and 350 carries (fourth) rank among the Top 10 single-season totals in MSU history.

The Columbus, Ohio, native also is listed among the Big Ten leaders in rushing (first), all-purpose yards (second), rushing touchdowns (tied for sixth with 11) and total offense (10th with 137.3 ypg.).Bell has recorded seven 100-yard rushing games in 2012. A complete back, his 30 receptions (154 yards) are fifth on the team. He was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week three times this season (Aug. 31 vs. Boise State; Sept. 22 vs. Eastern Michigan; Nov. 24 vs. Minnesota).

According to STATS, Bell has gained 834 of his 1,648 rushing yards (51 percent) after contact and has broken 17 tackles this season. His 834 rushing yards after contact rank first among all NCAA FBS running backs. In addition, he has produced 77 first downs and 32 runs of 10 or more yards, including 12 gains of 20 or more yards.

University of Michigan senior/junior offensive tackle Taylor Lewan  was named the recipient of the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year award and Wolverines junior punter Will Hagerup receiving Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year honors.

It marks the second consecutive season a Michigan player has been named the Big Ten’s top offensive lineman. Last season, fifth-year senior center David Molk won the inaugural Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year award.

Lewan headlined the Wolverines’ six All-Big Ten honorees, earning first-team recognition from both the coaches and media. Fifth-year senior offensive guard Patrick Omameh also was named to the All-Big Ten first team by the coaches and earned honorable mention from the media. Joining Lewan on the media’s first team was Hagerup, who also earned honorable mention from the coaches.

Junior/sophomore linebacker Jake Ryan, fifth-year senior safety Jordan Kovacs and fifth-year senior defensive end Craig Roh earned all-conference second team honors. Ryan received his selection from the media, while Kovacs and Roh collected their honors from the coaches. Ryan earned honorable mention from the coaches, while Kovacs and Roh garnered honorable mention from the media.