The NFL loves Iowa tight ends. The Hawkeye Football program has become a tight end pipeline for the NFL, and every year the group of former Iowa tight ends in the NFl continues to grow.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans selected former Hawkeye Luke Lachey with the No. 255 overall pick in the seventh round.
Lachey hopes to join a prestigious group of former Hawkeye tight ends who are currently excelling in the NFL.
Those tight ends include Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, and George Kittle.
The current star power at the tight end position in the NFL that was produced by Iowa got to the NFL the traditional way via the draft.
In a complicated path to the NFL, another former Hawkeye tight end found his way to an NFL roster.
San Antonio ➡️ Detroit
— United Football League (@TheUFL) August 7, 2025
TE Steven Stilianos officially signs with the @Lions #UFLtoNFL pic.twitter.com/3q5d8lDA1i
Former Hawkeye Steven Stilianos has signed a contract with the Detroit Lions after playing for the San Antonio Brahmas in the United Football League (UFL). Stilianos now has the chance to line up with another former Hawkeye tight end, Sam LaPorta.
Before heading to the NFL from the UFL, Stilianos went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft before joining the Tennessee Titans organization.
Stilianos did not see the field for the Titans and went to the UFL. During the 2025 season for San Antonio, Stilianos tallied 86 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Before playing in the UFL, Stilianos played for the Hawkeyes for two seasons (2022,2023) after spending four seasons with Lafayette.
In two seasons for the Hawkeyes, Stilianos accumulated 96 receiving yards and no touchdowns in 18 games played.
All Hawkeye fans wish Stilianos the best as he attempts to carve out a role with the Lions in the NFL.