Iowa tight end Erick All Jr. declares for NFL Draft

IOWA CITY — Iowa tight end Erick All will forgo his extra year of eligibility and declare the NFL Draft, he announced Monday evening on social media.

All spent one season after transferring from Michigan to Iowa. He had 21 catches for 299 yards in seven games before suffering a season-ending injury.

Despite missing half of Iowa's games, he finished the season as the team's leader in receiving yards.

Pro Football Focus ranks All as the 262nd-best overall prospect in this year’s draft class.

Iowa’s tight end room, despite not retaining All, still has a positive outlook with Luke Lachey, Addison Ostenga and others expected to return in 2024.

All thanked offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, tight ends coach Abdul Hodge and head coach Kirk Ferentz along with his Michigan coaches and others in his social media post announcing his plans to pursue the NFL Draft.

“You have taught me so much about A LOT of things,” All said, “and just listening to you talk and address the team was some of my favorite times being in Iowa City.”

He also went out of his way to shout out “my man” Lachey in his announcement.

“Probably the best guy I know,” All said. “Every day he’s the same person and doesn’t care at all to just be himself. The nicest guy ever. … When I got hurt this year, Luke was the very first person to approach me to make sure I was doing OK.”

All’s announcement that he will declare for the draft, while not necessarily a surprise, was on the deadline for players with remaining college eligibility to declare.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com