Tag: Luke Lachey

Iowa Hawkeyes 2023 Positional Breakdown: Scouting the tight ends

Iowa will have one of the nation’s finest tight end tandems in Luke Lachey and Erick All. A breakdown of the Hawkeyes’ tight ends.

Iowa University is Tight End U. Don’t give me some talk about teams that were great at a time before most collegiate athletes were even alive. We’re talking right now. We’re talking current day, and nobody produces tight ends like Iowa.

Since the Mackey Award was first instituted in 2000, two Hawkeyes have won the award in Dallas Clark (2002) and T.J. Hockenson (2018). Hockenson was joined by his teammate Noah Fant that year as a semifinalist for the award. Iowa had two straight semifinalists for the award in Allen Reisner (2010) and Tony Moeaki (2009), respectively.

Last year Sam LaPorta was named one of three finalists for the award. This was the same year he was named first-team All-Big Ten and was the Kwalick–Clark Tight End of the Year, an award partially named after, you guessed it, a former Iowa Hawkeye.

This doesn’t even mention the best of the bunch George Kittle, a fifth-round pick back in 2017 who has only been named an All-Pro three times while making the Pro Bowl four times.

Through college acclaim and professional success, Iowa has dominated the tight end position like no other. That trend does not look likely to end in 2023 one bit. Here is a breakdown of the tight end position for Iowa this upcoming season.

Iowa’s tight ends Luke Lachey, Erick All with an opportunity dominate in 2023

Iowa has reloaded the tight end room with Luke Lachey and Erick All. The two could be set up with an opportunity to dominate in 2023.

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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Luke Lachey, Erick All named to John Mackey Award Watch List

Iowa is once again showing off its tight end prowess. Luke Lachey and Erick All have been named to the John Mackey Award Watch List.

While some are in the dark about who the real “Tight End U” is in America, the enlightened others know the exact right answer to that question. The Iowa Hawkeyes always seem to be squarely in the mix, staking their claim with a top tight end in the nation year after year.

Ahead of the 2023 college football season, that trend is only gaining momentum. That momentum is in the form of two Iowa tight ends, Luke Lachey and Erick All, being named to the John Mackey Award Watch List.

 

The John Mackey Award is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding tight end. The most recent recipient was Georgia’s Brock Bowers.

The tandem of Lachey and All has a bit of the feel that Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson had when they shared the field together on their way to both being first-round NFL draft picks. Iowa is going to use two-tight end sets a lot and give each of these two ample opportunities to provide in the passing game for quarterback Cade McNamara.

During the 2022 season, Lachey flashed brilliantly in his snaps shared with Sam LaPorta and when he filled in as the starter. Lachey posted 28 receptions for 398 yards and a team-high four touchdown grabs.

All joined the Hawkeyes as a transfer from the Michigan Wolverines. During his time at Michigan, All had a 2021 season with 38 receptions for 437 yards and two touchdowns.

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Everything Cooper DeJean, Jay Higgins, Luke Lachey said with Big Ten Network

Cooper DeJean, Jay Higgins and Luke Lachey caught up with Big Ten Network host Dave Revsine to preview Iowa’s 2023 season.

A trio of Iowa Hawkeyes stars made the trek to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to preview the 2023 college football season.

The preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year pick, cornerback Cooper DeJean, made his way to Indy. The 6-foot-1, 207 pound defensive back was joined by standout tight end Luke Lachey and rising linebacker Jay Higgins.

Of course, DeJean picked off five passes last season and returned three of them for touchdowns. Lachey was Iowa’s second-leading receiver and finished with a team-high four touchdowns. Lastly, Higgins is set to start at linebacker this season and registered 39 tackles a season ago.

As part of their Big Ten media days festivities, the trio swung by the Big Ten Network booth to speak with host Dave Revsine. Here’s everything the three Hawkeye stars had to say.

Questions for each of Iowa’s Big Ten media days attendees

A trio of Hawkeyes players are off to Indy for Big Ten media days. What questions do we have for each and Kirk Ferentz in 2023?

The Iowa Hawkeyes descend upon Indianapolis for Big Ten media days on Wednesday, July 26.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz will address the press from 11:15-11:30 a.m. CT. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes’ player attendees feature defensive back Cooper DeJean, linebacker Jay Higgins and tight end Luke Lachey.

Here’s a pair of questions for each of Iowa’s players attending. Plus, one big question for coach Ferentz as well.

Next man up: 5 potential breakout stars for the Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa always develops well and each year a lesser known name or a newcomer steps up. Here are five potential breakouts stars for 2023.

Each year, someone from the Iowa Hawkeyes rises from the ranks and proves once again that their development and penchant for finding hidden talent is nearly unmatched. There are a handful of Hawkeyes that have a breakout season each year.

Last year, Cooper DeJean became nationally known for his ability to intercept the ball and play lockdown coverage. Kaleb Johnson went from a true freshman to Iowa’s leading rusher. Even Tory Taylor exploded with his punting prowess and is arguably the best at his position in the nation.

It is often those that are under the radar and not as talked about that make some of the biggest impacts in college football. Should Iowa have a year some anticipate it to have, it will take some strong efforts from individuals stringing together their best seasons yet.

Here are five potential breakout stars for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2023.

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Series of Hawkeyes scattered across Pro Football Network 2024 NFL mock draft

A number of Iowa Hawkeyes made their way into Pro Football Network’s latest seven-round 2024 NFL mock draft.

You may ask yourself, what good does a mock draft before the season even starts do? Why put together a way-too-early mock before we know much of anything?

There are many answers to that question—looking for content in the dead season of July is a good one—but, really, it’s to get us fans excited for this upcoming season. We all will try to deny it, but there’s a certain excitement to seeing one of your team’s players projected to go high in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft.

Such is the case for Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean in Ian Cummings’ seven-round mock for Pro Football Network. The junior went 27th overall to the Dallas Cowboys.

DeJean sports a unique frame for a CB at 6’1″, 209 pounds, but he moves very well for his size. He’s an amped-up, effortlessly high-energy athlete who also has the route identification skills to jump passes and generate turnovers. Dan Quinn’s scheme is all about positioning playmakers to make plays, and DeJean adds a new dimension to that with his dual-sided ball-hawking ability and solidity in run support. – Cummings, Pro Football Network.

Joining DeJean in the NFL is Iowa defensive end Deontae Craig, selected in the third round by the Detroit Lions.

Deontae Craig could be Iowa’s next prospect to go from reserve lineman to early-round pick. At 6’3″, 266 pounds, he brings an impressive blend of burst, power capacity, and bend, and also has the alignment versatility to line up inside if necessary. – Cummings, Pro Football Network.

Couldn’t agree more, Ian. Deontae Craig just absolutely feels like a Lion.

Per Cummings and Pro Football Network, Luke Lachey was also selected in the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers. Personally, I think with a big year and good testing Lachey could go higher, but Carolina’s an intriguing fit. They’ve been searching for their next tight end since Greg Olsen.

Rounding out the mock draft for Iowa are two transfers going in the sixth round, Nick Jackson to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Erick All to the New England Patriots.

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Luke Lachey among Pro Football Focus’ top five tight ends for 2024 NFL Draft

The pipeline of Iowa Hawkeyes tight ends is not slowing down. Luke Lachey is among the top five tight ends in the 2024 NFL draft class.

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.

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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Iowa’s Luke Lachey among College Sports Wire’s best 2023 tight ends

College Sports Wire is the latest to highlight Iowa’s Luke Lachey as one of the nation’s finest tight ends entering 2023.

Around the country, it would be cause for concern looking to replace a player like Sam LaPorta.

Drafted No. 34 overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, LaPorta established himself as the latest and greatest star tight end at the University of Iowa. He led the Hawkeyes and Big Ten tight ends in receiving yardage each of the past two years.

It meant that LaPorta was a finalist for the John Mackey Award and the Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year recipient. Again, replacing LaPorta’s production might be problematic elsewhere, but it’s actually sort of exciting in Iowa City.

It means that we get to see more of talented tight end Luke Lachey and Michigan transfer Erick All. When asked to fill in for LaPorta late last season, Lachey went ahead and delivered back-to-back big performances against Minnesota and Nebraska in succession.

The 6-foot-6, 252 pound native of Columbus, Ohio, ripped off a five-grab, 77-yard performance against Minnesota and then a seven-catch, 89-yard outing with a score against Nebraska. He capped his season with three receptions for 36 yards and a score in the Hawkeyes’ 21-0 shutout of Kentucky in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.

As a result, Lachey is on the radar nationally. College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn included Lachey among his baker’s dozen of the best tight ends in college football entering 2023.

Lachey was productive at the tight end position, despite being the No. 2 option behind Sam LaPorta. However, he was able to get more touchdown receptions that the eventual NFL draft pick. This upcoming season, Lachey gets to prove he is the next in a long line of former Iowa tight ends to move on to the next level after another big campaign. – Conn, College Sports Wire.

Lachey finished the 2022 season with 28 receptions for 398 yards and a team-leading four touchdown grabs. Now, as Conn notes, Lachey gets the opportunity to showcase that he can be the leading man at a place where it’s known for sensational tight end play.

Lachey will turn in a season that makes his predecessors proud in 2023. He will do so alongside the aforementioned Erick All who should help the Hawkeyes form one of the nation’s top tight end tandems.

All is familiar with new Hawkeye signal-caller Cade McNamara from the pair’s time at Michigan. He reeled in 38 receptions for 437 yards with a pair of scores during the 2021 season when All was healthy.

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Iowa Hawkeyes 2023 Snapshot Profile: No. 85 Luke Lachey

Luke Lachey demonstrated he’s ready for stardom when Sam LaPorta was sidelined. Lachey’s 2023 snapshot profile.

There were very few bright spots on the Iowa offense last year. Unsurprisingly, of course, the tight end position was one of the few areas of light in a very bleak unit.

Current Detroit Lion Sam LaPorta led the way last year for the Hawkeyes with a team-high 657 receiving yards. This is the second-straight year that the Lions’ newest second-round pick led the Hawkeyes in both yards and receptions.

However, Sam was not the only tight end on the roster who was turning heads. As “Tight End U” always does, Iowa had another waiting in the wings, slowly building a name for himself as the next big thing. We saw a brief glimpse at just what Luke Lachey can possibly do in 2022. The Cleveland, Ohio, native led the Hawkeyes with four touchdowns. That was more than every other Hawkeye receiver combined.

It wasn’t just his work as a secondary tight end to the league-bound LaPorta that was most impressive. When he had to step up as a starter due to injury, Lachey excelled. Just look at some of the plays he made against Nebraska! He has some serious talent, and can be another star at the position for Iowa. Here’s a look at potentially the next great Iowa tight end, Luke Lachey!

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