85 Days Until Iowa Football: Logan Lee and Luke Lachey

It will probably take another year before we’re seeing our two Hawkeyes sporting No. 85 seeing consistent action on the field. Until then, we’re looking at two guys who might sneak on the field, but will still be mostly spending time on the sideline come fall.

[Editor’s Note: HERE for the hot take on a couple guys already on the spring two-deeps being projected as having limited roles.]

Logan Lee - RS Sophomore
Orion, IL (Orion)
6’5”, 267 lbs
2021 Projection: Reserve DL

Logan Lee seems poised for a shot at a starting position on the Iowa defensive line...but not yet this year. As one of four freshman named to last year’s leadership group, it seems that Kirk Ferentz, Phil Parker and co. see the sophomore’s potential, but lack of experience, and injury, are keeping him out of the starting lineup..for now.

Lee missed all of spring practice with an injury, and while he probably wasn’t going to be seeing a ton of playing time in the fall, he probably can be a key backup in the defensive line rotation. However, his injury could be an issue.

“It’s going to be that race against time,” Ferentz told The Athletic ($$$) about Lee and other injured Hawkeyes from the defensive line who missed all or part of spring practice. “It will be interesting to see where they’re at in August.”

However, if healthy, it seems like we’ll see more of Lee than the two games he saw action in last summer, in which he tallied a total of one tackle in Iowa’s win against Minnesota.

Meanwhile, Luke Lachey will probably be spending another season observing from the sideline and seeing limited action.

Luke Lachey - RS Freshman
Columbus, OH (Grandview)
6’6”, 237 lbs
2021 Projection: Backup TE

Lachey spent most of last years abridged season on the bench and gaining strength in the weight room. The redshirt freshman saw playing time in Iowa’s win over Michigan State, but did not log any individual statistics.

In high school, Lacey had solid statistics, tallying nearly 750 yards on 57 receptions as a wide receiver during his senior year, where he also saw playing time as a defensive end and even running back. His dad played for Ohio State, where he was an All-American offensive tackle who was selected 12th overall by the Chargers in the 1985 NFL Draft.

Lachey certainly seems like he has the build and the athleticism to be a solid contributor for Iowa at tight end, and he’ll probably see some snaps alongside Sam LaPorta and Bryce Schulte, but if I had to guess, he won’t be seeing too much action this fall either, barring some sort of terrible injuries in the tight end position. However, the potential is there, and who knows what could happen come fall.