Sam LaPorta most recently left the Iowa Hawkeyes for the NFL and is looking like he is settling in mighty fine with Detroit at the next level. He joined George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and Noah Fant among others to come from Iowa and go succeed in the NFL.
Next in line appears to be Luke Lachey getting his shot. The tight end out of Grandview High School in Columbus, Ohio, left the Buckeye State to come join “Tight End U” and is going to have every chance to reap the rewards.
Just ahead of the 2023 college football season, Lachey finds himself firmly planted among the top five tight ends for the 2024 NFL draft class by Pro Football Focus. The 6-foot-6, 253 pound tight end checks in at No. 3 on PFF’s tight end big board.
Top 5 Tight Ends in the 2024 NFL Draft, per @ConnorJRogers pic.twitter.com/MT3h5zZYY2
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 4, 2023
Lachey has earned some preseason recognition as he finds himself among Phil Steele’s preseason second-team All-Big Ten team and Athlon Sports’ preseason third-team All-Big Ten team.
Playing behind LaPorta during the 2022 season limited Lachey’s action slightly, but he was given opportunities in two-tight end sets and when LaPorta battled through some injuries.
Lachey capitalized on these moments posting a stat line last year of 28 receptions for 298 yards and four touchdowns. He was second on the Hawkeyes in receiving yards behind only LaPorta. His four touchdowns led Iowa and his 14.2 yards per reception led all Iowa receivers who had more than five catches.
Lachey will be part of a highly-touted tandem that features newcomer Erick All at the other tight end. The duo of these two should allow Iowa to get creative in the passing game and create mismatches with their tight ends that Cade McNamara can attack.
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