Welcome back to our countdown to the 2026 Iowa football season! 

Since May 28, HawkeyeRoundtable.com has released a daily article to commemorate the upcoming season. If you've already been diagnosed with football fever by now, reading this countdown is highly recommended to help you get to know each member of the 2026 Hawkeyes along with some unique historical pieces. 

Today marks 85 days until Iowa storms out of the tunnel to "Back in Black" for its season-opener against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5, so it's only fitting to take a look at the man who dons the No. 85 jersey for the Hawkeyes this year - tight end Thomas Meyer. 

Hometown: Clear Lake, Iowa 

High School: Clear Lake High School 

Year: Redshirt freshman 

Height: 6-foot-4 

Weight: 232 pounds 

Other notable player to wear No. 85: A well-known player to wear No. 85 in recent years was also a tight end - Luke Lachey. The Ohio native quickly earned starting time in his redshirt freshmen campaign, and though Lachey recorded solid numbers, injuries and Iowa's poor offense hampered his true potential. Lachey collected 131 yards through the first two weeks of the 2023 season, but then his season-ending injury happened the following week against Western Michigan. Lachey returned in time for the 2024 season, but inconsistent quarterback play destroyed his chances of getting NFL attention. He is currently a free agent. 

Though Meyer didn't register any stats during his true freshman campaign in 2025, he's a name Iowa fans should watch out for in the future. A loaded tight end room (DJ Vonnahme, Addison Ostrenga, Zach Ortwerth) will probably keep Meyer off the field this year, but he's in the right place to be developed. 

Meyer has three years of eligibility remaining, and it's hard to not envision a future for him in Iowa City based on his successful high school career. Meyer helped lead Clear Lake to the state playoffs each season, collecting 512 yards and nine touchdowns during his senior campaign. 

This success resulted in 247Sports naming Meyer as a four-star prospect in the Class of 2025, the No. 1 player in Iowa, and the No. 9 tight end available in the class. Meyer held offers from Texas A&M, Miami (FL), Nebraska, Wisconsin, and others, but chose to stay in-state and play for the Hawkeyes. 

Here's an excerpt from 247 national analyst Hudson Standish's scouting report on Meyer: 

"Routinely makes spectacular leaping grabs where he uses his All-Conference basketball background to snatch the ball out of the air at its highest point. Showcases promising movement ability in the open field and can make opposing defenders whiff on tackles with his agility and cut-stacking prowess or by finishing catches with physicality to gain extra yards." 

Looking for some cool Hawkeye swag to wear during the summer months? Look no further! HawkeyeRoundtable.com will be giving away prizes to lucky members throughout the summer and all you have to enter is follow these very easy and quick (under a minute) instructions to join. 

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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at [email protected]