Iowa 2011 Tight End Breakdown

Tight End. A position of stature at Iowa. Not just because Iowa's TE used to stand straight up but because 7 different Tight Ends have been drafted into the NFL under Kirk Ferentz. Three of those being Dallas Clark of the Colts, Tony Moeaki of the Chiefs and Brandon Myers of the Raiders.

In 2010, Allen Reisner was the leader of the Hawkeye tight ends. This year without him him, the Hawkeyes are down a great blocker and pass catcher for young quarterback James Vandenberg to get familiar with. Reisner's 42 catches, 460 yards and 2 touchdowns won't easily be replaced.

This year though, a new collection of Tight End talent will be on display for Hawkeye fans to fall in love with. Here they are:

Brad Herman:

Herman participated in all 13 Iowa games last year and was a contributor. Most Hawkeye fans will remember his 80 receiving yards vs Michigan State which is his career high. Herman is 6'5, 247 lbs and looks to be Iowa's best tight end product this coming fall, especially with use in the run game.

C.J. Fiederowicz:

The monster, the myth, the legend that is C.J. Fiederowicz has yet to impress Hawkeye fans but this fall he will get his chance. I expect C.J. to play and to play well. C.J. is 6'7, 250 lbs. I remember standing next to him during the spring game and thinking. “no one is gonna be able to stay with this guy.” I expect him and James Vandenberg to hook-up often. C.J. should be a vertical threat and help JVB a lot early on. C.J. does still need to work on his blocking, which is why I still expect him and Herman to share time.

Austin Vier:

Vier is another physical specimen that the Hawkeyes have at TE. Vier is also 6'7, but right now only weights about 230 lbs. Vier is still a work in progress but should see time on special teams. In 2010 he redshirted.

Zach Derby:

Yes, Zach is the brother of Iowa quarterback A.J. Derby. Zach however joined the Hawkeyes in 2008 as a walk-on. He redshirted then but has been a part of the Hawkeye roster since. In 2010 he saw little game action but did play here and there. I would assume Derby is probably the 3rd Tight End right now behind Herman and CJ Fed.

Ray Hamilton (Recruit):

Hamilton is a large physical kid (6'5, 230 lbs.) who actually comes from the same high school as Iowa basketball recruit Aaron White. Hamilton is athletic and is able to stretch defenses vertically. I wouldn't expect him to play as a TE but wouldn't be surprised if he got in some special teams work this season.

Henry Krieger-Coble (Recruit):

HKC is a tall kid standing at 6'4 but has a lot to learn and a lot of weight to gain. Coming from Mount Pleasant, IA, same HS as WR Jordan Cotton, Coble will need to learn how to block, very similar to Fiederowicz and his development. Give him time in the weight room and time to learn and he can develop into something special. I would expect him to redshirt.