Iowa tight end Erick All embraces ‘blessing’ of balancing fatherhood, football

IOWA CITY — When Erick All is not running routes in practice as one of Iowa’s top tight ends, “goofing around” with teammates or soon going to class, he has “a lot of responsibility” the typical college football player does not have.

It’s a difficult responsibility, especially for a 22-year-old, but one he considers to be “a blessing.”

“I enjoy it to death,” All said.

That responsibility goes by the name of Houston.

Houston, who is almost one year old, is All’s first child.

“It can be hard, but when you love someone so much, it makes it pretty easy,” All said.

As would be the case for almost any first-time parent, it has come with some lessons for All — lessons that translate to the football field.

“Keeping your head down and working and not having any excuses for stuff pretty much is what I’ve learned,” All said.

All and Houston’s mother, Mia, live in Iowa City together and raise their first child. When All had to be away for fall camp, Mia and Houston visited family in Michigan.

Iowa tight ends coach Abdul Hodge believes Houston gives All “added motivation to come out here and handle the business.”

Houston was born on the morning of Michigan’s 51-7 win over Colorado State. All was at Michigan Stadium in time for the noon game and went on to have one catch for 22 yards in that afternoon’s game.

“Eight pounds, four ounces,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters after the game. “I’m still waiting for the wingspan and the hand size numbers, but from the pictures, they look long and athletic.”

Houston will celebrate his first birthday on Sept. 3.

“He’s growing so fast,” said Cade McNamara, who also was teammates with All at Michigan.

For those doing the math, Houston was born nine months and seven days after Michigan’s 2021 win over Ohio State. (And the due date was seven days earlier.)

“It was how life just happened,” All said.

Houston and McNamara seem to be enjoying the time they get together.

“I was holding him, and he kept leaning back, looking at me and then he would tuck his head right back on my neck,” McNamara said.

Houston did that “like five times, back-to-back-to-back.”

“It was just the cutest thing ever,” McNamara said.

McNamara already has noticed Houston “definitely has Erick’s energy and positivity.”

“He’s almost as goofy as Houston is,” McNamara said of his former roommate. “Erick is just the most uppity guy who’s always in a positive mood, and I know Houston truly puts a smile on his face.”

On the field, All’s addition allows Iowa to continue its heavy use of tight ends in 2023.

Tight ends Sam LaPorta and Luke Lachey were the Hawkeyes’ top two players in receiving yards last year. Now All, a former all-Big Ten honorable mention, and Lachey will be the top two options at the position.

“We lost a really good player, needless to say, with Sam LaPorta,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “But then you get a guy like Erick All to join the team, so feel pretty good about those two guys.”

Back at Michigan, All had 38 receptions for 437 yards in 2021 although he missed most of the 2022 season with an injury that required season-ending surgery.

“He has a really unique skill set,” Hodge said. “I would describe it as being explosive.”

All, a former co-captain at Michigan, also has contributed to the team as a leader.

“He has a really good personality that the guys take to on the field,” Hodge said.

The highlight of All’s eight-plus months since joining the Hawkeyes has been simply “being with the guys” on the team, whether that be “goofing around” in the locker room or “competing with the guys every day.”

“Not only that, but eating meals, just chilling and getting to know different players on the team,” All said.

All also has spoken highly of other aspects of Iowa City. That includes trips to the Coralville IHOP, which he previously said serves some of the best chicken and waffles he ever had, “when I’m not locked up in the hotel for fall camp.”

Like many other aspects of All’s life, Houston is often right there with him at IHOP.

“He’s been there quite a few times,” All said.

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