7 days ago
Iowa football TE named to John Mackey Award watch list
While some may choose to snub the Iowa Hawkeyes from their TEU rankings, their production and talent make that claim rather silly. Each year, the Hawkeyes trot out another playmaker at tight end who leaves an imprint on the season and is often making the jump to the NFL.
This season, Iowa could see a step forward from tight end Zach Ortwerth. The junior tight end from St. Louis, Missouri, Ortwerth, will be in his third year with the Hawkeyes and could see an expanded role beyond what he has done already.
Zach Ortwerth could take the next step and become a known name in the Big Ten in Iowa's offense with more targets. There is a belief he could be among the best in the nation, as he has been named to the John Mackey Award Watch List.
The John Mackey Award is given out each year to the nation's top tight end in college football. Iowa has laid claim to two previous winners of the award, with Dallas Clark winning it in 2002 and T.J. Hockenson wearing the crown in 2018.
In two years with the Hawkeyes, Ortwerth has appeared in 21 games for Iowa. He has reeled in 12 receptions for 187 yards and could see his 2025 totals surpass those with increased usage.
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