:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69428768/usa_today_11590100.0.jpg)
Our next Hawkeye is a high potential tight end who redshirted 2020.
Elijah Yelverton - RS Freshman
Royse City, TX (Trinity Christian)
6’5”, 247 lbs
2021 Projection: Rotational tight end
Yelverton committed to Iowa in spring 2019 as the ninth player of the 2020 class. His three recruiting stars undersold his talent, as he held offers from a number of SEC schools among the dozens who offered him.
His highlights show a multi-dimensional tight end who can line up a number of spots, make his man miss through and around contact, and a willing blocker. All reasons which demonstrate why he was so highly coveted.
He’s gained over 20 pounds from his 247 measurables to now, at 247, which may have explained why it took him a bit to make a depth chart impact. Though he was not listed on Iowa’s official two deeps, The Athletic slotted him within the top four. Scott Dochterman said both he & Josiah Miamen would not look out of place if thrust into action due to injury. Further, the #3 tight end typically sees their fair share of game action, so however he performs in practice against Miamen will likely determine who sees the field in those jumbo sets.
The trajectory most likely remains “waiting out” Sam LaPorta, whether that means Iowa’s #1 tight end leaves early after a successful 2021 for the NFL draft or finishes out his full eligibility through 2022. However, Yelverton oozes raw talent and could make things interesting behind LaPorta in 2021.