Year | Starter | Draft |
---|---|---|
1999 | Austin Wheatley | 2000 round 5 |
2000 | Robert Gallery* | 2004 round 1 |
2001-2002 | Dallas Clark | 2003 round 1 |
2003 | Erik Jensen | 2004 round 7 |
2004 | Tony Jackson | 2005 round 6 |
2004-2006 | Scott Chandler | 2007 round 4 |
2007-2008 | Brandon Myers | 2009 round 6 |
Tight ends play a prominent role in the Iowa offense, both as a receiver and a blocker. Iowa TEs have racked up some impressive stats. In 5 of the past 10 years, a TE has gone for at least 400 yards receiving, including Dallas Clark’s 742 yards with 4 touchdowns in 2002 and Scott Chandler’s 591 yards with 6 touchdowns in 2006.
Brandon Myers continued the tradition of drafted TEs this Sunday when he was picked by the Oakland Raiders in the 6th round. In 2008 Myers had 34 receptions for 441 yards and caught 4 touchdown passes. He was often to go-to-guy for QB Ricky Stanzi on third down and made a huge impact in Iowa's upset victory over Penn State catching 2 passes for first downs on the game-winning drive.
Looking forward Iowa has two tight ends with plenty of experience headed into 2009. Brandon Myers may not have had the success he did if it were not for multiple injuries that plagued Tony Moeaki that allowed Myers to step in as the starter. In 2005 Moeaki was rated the number 1 tight end out of high school. In the upcoming season he will resume his starting role and we will get a chance to see if he lives up to his potential…and see if that potential translates to a draft pick. Backing up Moeaki will be Allen Reisner, who had a successful sophomore year with 11 catches for 200 yards.