Iowa Football Preview: The Receivers

One part the pass catching equation is a huge question mark.

The other part of it is one of the stronger two deeps on the entire roster.

We are, of course talking about wide receivers and tight ends, who make up the receivers in our Iowa football preview series.

First, let’s start with the positives and that’s the return of Luke Lachey and the growth of Addison Ostrenga. Lachey broke his ankle in the win over Western Michigan and missed the rest of the 2023 Iowa football season. After giving consideration to entering the NFL Draft, Lachey opted to return to Iowa for his senior year. He will certainly be one of the top tight ends in the Big Ten and in the country.

His running mate, Addison Ostrenga, isn’t going to be far behind. He is Iowa’s leading returning receiver in terms of receptions with 31 and will make a nice combination with Lachey. Last year Ostrenga not only grew as a pass receiver, but a blocker.

At the receiver position it’s a bit of a known unknown, if that makes sense. We kind of know who the main targets and players will be this fall, but what we don’t know is how many of them will perform simply because they have a limited track record at this level.

Kaleb Brown is the most proven receiver with 22 receptions in the last half of the 2023 season. But, he will be suspended for the opening game of the season.  Jarriett Buie is the name that is generating some buzz since this spring, but he’s not caught at pass at the college level. Seth Anderson caught a touchdown pass last year to open the season and then only caught ten more the rest of the year. Kaden Wetjen is fast and ran some jet sweeps, but no receptions.

Let’s first take a look at the fall camp two deeps.

WR : Jarriett Buie (rFR), Dayton Howard (rFR)

WR : Seth Anderson (JR), Kaden Wetjen (SR)

WR : Kaleb Brown (JR), Terrell Washington Jr. (rFR)

TE : Luke Lachey (SR), Addison Ostrenga (JR)

It’s interesting that Iowa lists three wide receiver positions this year. Is that a tell for the Tim Lester offense and potentially running a lot of three wide sets? I think that will be the case, but time will tell. Also, seeing Washington listed as a wide receiver seems to hint that’s where his future will be.

THE BIG QUESTION

What do we think about the potential of the wide receiver group this season?

We know about the tight end position and what to expect from Lachey and Ostrenga. If both stay fully healthy it could they threaten the 88 receptions and 1279 yards that TJ Hockenson and Noah Fant did in 2019? I think that might be a reach, but both reaching 500 yards seems realistic.

Speaking of numbers, it’s kind of stunning to think about, but Iowa hasn’t had a wide receiver reach over 400 yards receiving in a season since 2019. I think that streak goes away after this year.

Kaleb Brown seems to be the obvious go to choice this year. But, he will miss the opener due to suspension. However, he has come along as a pass catcher and is that type of dynamic athlete that should do well in the Tim Lester offense.

Buie has generated a good amount of buzz and the coaches are very high on his potential. He will be a player to watch in fall camp. Anderson looked very good early last year, but he has been battling injuries from time to time. If he’s healthy then he could be a more significant contributor. I’d also keep an eye on Washington Jr and Wetjen. In the spring, Wetjen was the player who took to this offense the best, so that could be an indication of future success.

What about the future?

Let’s start with the tight end position. Lachey will be off to the NFL, but Ostrenga will be ready to take over as the leader at that spot. Zach Ortwerth is likely Iowa’s third tight end this year and Gavin Hoffman should be a player on the rise as well.

The wide receiver position will end up returning just about everyone. Brown has another year. Buie and Howard will have another year under their belt and hopefully Alex Mota will be healthy and ready to contribute. From this year’s freshman class, I would keep an eye on KJ Parker , who has a lot of playmaking potential, and Reece Vander Zee , who has unique size. It will be interesting to see what the Iowa offense does with Washington Jr this fall. He has slot receiver written all over him and given his experience as a running back, it feels like he could be a jet sweep option.

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