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!
Luke Lachey's Preseason Player Profile
Iowa tight end Luke Lachey (85) runs with the ball for extra yards during a NCAA college football game in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl against Kentucky, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Ht: 6-6
Wt: 252
Class in 2022: Jr.
Recruiting Ranking
Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
| Stars | Overall | State | Position | |
| 247 | 4 | 127 | 3 | 6 |
| Rivals | 3 | N/A | 27 | 35 |
| ESPN | 3 | N/A | 27 | 17 |
| On3 Recruiting | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 247 Composite | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Before Iowa
Iowa freshman tight end Luke Lachey signals first down after pulling down a pass reception in the first quarter against Penn State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
- Earned first-team all-state, all-conference, and all-district honors as a senior
- Second-team all-state as a junior, as well as honorable mention on Super 25 team
- Two-time Back of the Year at Grandview and conference Most Outstanding Player
Career Stats
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2020 | Iowa | Big Ten | FR | TE | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| *2021 | Iowa | Big Ten | FR | TE | 7 | 8 | 133 | 16.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 133 | 16.6 | 0 | |
| *2022 | Iowa | Big Ten | JR | TE | 13 | 28 | 398 | 14.2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 398 | 14.2 | 4 | |
| Career | Iowa | 36 | 531 | 14.8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 531 | 14.8 | 4 | |||||
Depth Chart Overview
Iowa tight end Luke Lachey, right, celebrates with teammate Mason Richman after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Michigan during a NCAA college football game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
Luke Lachey is currently the starter at tight end on Iowa’s depth chart, but as we all know, Iowa loves using multiple tight ends. Last year Lachey had his moments, but Sam LaPorta was still clearly the number one option. With the addition of former Michigan Wolverine Erick, it will be interesting just how the work is divided between the two tight ends. Will there be a true starter, or could the Hawkeyes legitimately have two number-ones?
Quote Them
Iowa tight end Luke Lachey (85) runs a route during a spring NCAA football practice, Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the University of Iowa Indoor Practice Facility in Iowa City, Iowa.
“Catches everything, moves well in space,” All said of Lachey. “He’s just a monster, freak of nature.”
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