This season, 2023, will be the year that the Iowa Hawkeyes remind everyone that they are indeed Tight End U, at least according to Saturday Tradition.
In Cole Thompson’s 10 bold predictions for Iowa Football in the 2023 season, he indicated heavy belief in the Iowa tight ends. If his prediction is to be believed, Erick All will be one of the best transfers in the nation, leading all Big Ten tight ends in touchdowns.
Purdue’s Payne Durham led all B1G tight ends in scores last year with 8. Expect to hear “McNamara to All for the score” often this fall, especially when Iowa is in the red zone. – Thompson, Saturday Tradition
It’s not a bad call at all. All already has a rapport with quarterback Cade McNamara. The senior tight end totaled 38 catches for 437 yards and 2 scores with McNamara at the helm back in 2021. He played a big role in Michigan reaching its first college football playoffs.
With his projected season, All must be the featured superstar for the Hawkeyes offense, right? Well, sort of. While he is predicted to be the touchdown king for his position, his teammate Luke Lachey has even higher hopes. In his very next prediction, Thompson has Lachey winning the Mackey Award for best tight end, an award that he and All each appear on the preseason watch list for.
Replacing Sam LaPorta isn’t a breeze, but the 6-6 target looked capable of matching that production late in the year with his 89-yard performance against Nebraska in the season finale. Lachey has the size to block in the run game, is a mismatch nightmare as a receiver and will physically dismantle you in the open field for hard yards.
He’s not George Kittle 2.0, but he’s what the committee looks for in a Mackey winner. Iowa has one heck of a tight end room. – Thompson, Saturday Tradition
He’s right, Iowa does have one heck of a tight end room. Lachey impressed greatly last year alongside second-round NFL draft pick Sam LaPorta. He led the Hawkeyes with four receiving touchdowns. With an increased role and an improved quarterback situation, watch for Luke Lachey to explode in 2023.
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