Iowa tight end Luke Lachey to return for 2024 season

ORLANDO — Iowa tight end Luke Lachey will return for the 2024 season, he announced Friday on his Instagram profile.

Lachey, who would have likely been selected in next year’s NFL Draft, will give a major boost to the Hawkeyes’ receiving corps in 2024.

The Columbus, Ohio, native had 10 receptions for 131 yards before suffering a season-ending injury early in Iowa’s Week 3 win against Western Michigan. In his two games at full health this year, he was responsible for one-third of the team’s receptions.

He was an all-Big Ten honorable mention in 2022 despite being behind future NFL tight end Sam LaPorta on the depth chart.

Lachey joins linebacker Jay Higgins as key players from the 2023 team who will return in 2024 rather than pursue their professional careers. Defensive back Cooper DeJean, a projected first-round pick, highlights the list of players who have not yet announced their decisions.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com