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Iowa football: Where each former five-star recruit in the Kirk Ferentz era is

By Andrew Wade

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 8: Jake Rudock #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes takes a huddle with his teammates against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter on November 8, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 8: Jake Rudock #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes takes a huddle with his teammates against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter on November 8, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 14: Safety Kurt Coleman #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles tight end Tony Moeaki #81 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 14: Safety Kurt Coleman #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles tight end Tony Moeaki #81 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Tony Moeaki

Moeaki joined Kirk’s highest rated recruiting class in 2005 as a five-star tight end out of Wheaton Warrenville South. At the time, the 6’4” 250 pound tight end was the 30th best prospect in the nation and second best tight end when he joined the Iowa football team. His high school resume also included First Team All-American honors by Riddell.

Despite dealing with injuries through his career (including one that allowed him to receive a medical hardship waiver), Moeaki had a productive, yet unspectacular career with the Iowa football team. He finished his career with 76 catches for 953 yards and 11 touchdowns but never had more than 30 catches in a single season or more than 400 yards. For comparison’s sake, both Fant and Hockenson surpassed those amounts this season.

Although he had limited production in his senior year (30 catches for 387 yards), he was an integral part of an Iowa football team that went to the Orange Bowl in 2009 and subsequently defeated Georgia Tech. For his efforts, he received All-Big Ten honors and honorable mention All-American honors by CollegeFootballNews.com.

Tony Moeaki parlayed his college career into an NFL opportunity when he was drafted in the third round by Kansas City. Unfortunately, the injury bug continued to bite him. He played for five teams in six seasons and never played a full 16 games. He finished his NFL career with 91 catches and 1,201 yards.