Iowa tight end Luke Lachey thinks about ‘leaving a legacy’ as he returns to Iowa in 2024

ORLANDO — Luke Lachey’s father offered some wisdom to the Iowa tight end this week amid a month of mulling whether to go pro or stay at Iowa.

“If he could play another game right now, he’d play it in college, not the NFL,” Lachey recalled his father telling him.

The wisdom from Jim Lachey — a former Ohio State and NFL offensive lineman — was after Luke Lachey made his decision to stay at Iowa for his senior season, but it underscores his decision process.

“It’s really just about leaving a legacy,” Lachey said. “That’s something that I’ve always kind of dreamed about. I felt like if I came back, I could have a big impact there. It's also being able to play with your brothers for another season. I don’t think there’s anything better than that.”

One of those brothers who now is in the NFL, Sam LaPorta, had a “long conversation” as Lachey weighed his options.

“He kind of told me some pros and cons on either side,” Lachey said. “He helped me out, and I was really grateful for that.”

LaPorta stayed at Iowa through his senior season before being drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That seems to have worked well for LaPorta, as he has 74 receptions for 776 yards and nine touchdowns through 15 games of his rookie season.

Money via name, image and likeness was “not really” a factor in his decision.

“It’s an extra benefit,” Lachey said. “Swarm does a great job for us, and I’m really grateful for them.”

Another year at Iowa also means another year to potentially improve his draft stock. Pro Football Focus rated Lachey as the 64th-best prospect in this year’s draft class.

“A lot of people have told me using another year to develop would really help out my draft stock,” Lachey said. “That’s obviously a factor.”

Lachey’s 2023 season ended abruptly when he suffered a gruesome season-ending ankle injury in Week 3. He had 10 catches for 131 yards before the injury.

“It looks worse than it felt with all the adrenaline that went on,” Lachey said of the injury. “When I saw my ankle kind of just out of place like that, it was a bit of a shock. I think I kind of squirmed a little bit down there on the field.”

The Columbus, Ohio, native’s “goal all along” was to return in time for the Citrus Bowl, but playing after “that limited amount of practice” beforehand would have carried substantial risk.

“I think it was a really good goal and something that really pushed me during my rehab,” Lachey said. “I would have loved to have played.”

Fortunately for Lachey and the Hawkeyes, he will now have at least 12 more opportunities to play in a Hawkeye uniform next year.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com