Iowa depth takes hit with loss of tight end

The 2016 Iowa football team will have one less player at a position that has been one of its biggest strengths over the years.

Jameer Outsey intends to transfer out of the program, per an announcement from the school.

Tight end Jameer Outsey, a redshirt sophomore in 2015, has elected to transfer from the University of Iowa and the Hawkeye football program. The announcement was made Friday by head coach Kirk Ferentz.

Outsey is a native of Somerset, New Jersey (Franklin HS). He worked with the Iowa defense during his redshirt season before moving to tight end a year ago. Outsey (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) played in eight games, recording one reception for 10 yards. He also recorded one solo tackle on special teams.

Outsey was rated a three-star defensive end prospect as a high school senior.

His exit leaves coach Kirk Ferentz in an unfamiliar position following the graduation of last year’s No. 1 tight end, Henry Krieger-Coble.

As noted by the Cedar Rapids Gazette, youngsters are likely going to have to step up to support veteran George Kittle.

Can a true freshman tight end crack the lineup? Your candidates are Noah Fant (225 pounds), T.J. Hockenson (235 pounds) and, maybe, Shaun Beyer (210 pounds). You read what Kittle said. It’s not an automatic, but one of them probably has to play. It’s weird to write this, but the Iowa TE depth chart is unsettled at best.

The defending champions of the Big Ten West, who went undefeated in the regular season last year but will enter this campaign on a two-game losing streak, return six starters on offense and seven on defense.