Iowa football 2024 winter position breakdown: Tight ends

Editor’s note: This is the first of a nine-part series breaking down where each Iowa football position group stands at this point in the offseason.

IOWA CITY — At Iowa — the self-proclaimed “Tight End U” — there is no shortage of tight ends on the roster.

With seven players who will be under scholarship in 2024, tight end is one of the deepest positions on the Hawkeyes’ roster.

Here is a breakdown of the how the position looks with another month-plus before spring practices:

Who’s gone?

Erick All Jr. opted against using his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility as he pursues the NFL Draft. All led the Hawkeyes with 299 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions in 2023 despite missing seven games after suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Steven Stilianos, the transfer from Lafayette College, was in his final year of eligibility in 2023. Stilianos had eight receptions for 96 yards as he climbed the depth chart from fourth-string to second-string tight end.

Who’s back?

Retaining Luke Lachey, who could have been a mid-round selection in the NFL Draft, was a major coup for the Hawkeyes. Lachey had 10 receptions for 131 yards in his first two games before suffering a season-ending injury early in Week 3 against Western Michigan.

Addison Ostrenga will be coming off a breakout sophomore season in 2023. He had 31 receptions, which were tied for the team-high, for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

Zach Ortwerth saw action in eight games as a true freshman in 2023. He had one reception, which was a 54-yard touchdown.

Other tight ends on scholarship who are expected to return include Cael Vanderbush and Grant Leeper. Vanderbush will be a sophomore, and Leeper will be a redshirt freshman.

Who’s joining the mix?

Iowa signed two tight ends — Gavin Hoffman from Leawood, Kan., and Michael Burt from Omaha, Neb. — in its 2024 recruiting class. Hoffman has a four-star rating from 247Sports, and Burt has a three-star rating.

Considering Iowa’s depth at the position, immediate playing time outside of special teams seems unlikely for either of the incoming freshmen.

Way-too-early 2024 two-deeps projection

Given how much Iowa has used its tight ends, a three-deep projection is more fitting than a two-deep projection. While Ostrenga is officially listed as the No. 2 tight end, it would not be a surprise to see Ostrenga starting frequently alongside Lachey in 12 personnel.

Outlook

Even when many other facets of Iowa’s offense struggled in recent years, Iowa’s tight ends have thrived.

The 2024 season should be no exception as Lachey — an NFL-caliber player — leads the position group. The lack of experience at wide receiver could add to what would already likely be heavy usage of tight ends.

The ceiling could be especially high if Iowa’s passing game improves at all under the direction of incoming offensive coordinator Tim Lester.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com