By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The last time the Iowa football team signed a tight end from Omaha, Neb., sophomore Noah Fant turned out to be pretty good.

Omaha native Chris Hickman has a chance to follow in Fant’s footsteps after having recently received a scholarship offer from Iowa.

“It was kind of unexpected because I’ve heard off and on from them a lot but I’m really excited to get (the offer) because I’m only a junior and I’m getting attention from a high division one school,” Hickman said. “It’s just a blessing to get another offer.”

Hickman, a three-star prospect according to Rivals, has drawn comparisons to Fant from the Iowa coaching staff.

Fant starts for the Hawkeyes at tight end and has 13 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns heading into Saturday's game at Northwestern.

Hickman is familiar with Fant, after having played high school basketball against him.

That familiarity gives the 6-foot-6, 195-pound Hickman some insight as to how he might be used at Iowa.

“What stands out is how they use their tight ends,” Hickman said. “I got to watch Noah Fant who came from South and played basketball against him. People compare me to him a lot so I get a good visual of how they would use me.”

Some members of the Iowa coaching staff were in Omaha recently to watch Hickman play in person, and to get a chance to know him better off the field.

“I didn’t get to talk to them on Friday but I got to talk to them on Saturday on the phone,” Hickman said. “They just told me that they like my film and they were talking to some people and they heard I was a good person and that just made them want to offer me more.”

Iowa isn't the only Power Five school to have taken an early interest in Hickman. He also has scholarship offers from Iowa State, Nebraska and Mississippi, but is in no rush to make a decision.

“I just keep all the schools at the same level,” Hickman said. “I’m just a junior now so I’m just trying to see what schools have to offer and just hopefully pick the right school for me.”

Hickman said he plans to attend Iowa’s night game against Minnesota on Oct. 28 at Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa currently has four players committed to its 2019 recruiting class.

Iowa’s 2019 recruiting class

Larry Tracy, DB, 5-11, 175, Indianapolis, Ind.

Tyler Endres, OL, 6-6, 280, Norwalk, Iowa

Logan Lee, TE, 6-5, 225, Orion, Ill.

Ezra Miller, OL, 6-6, 310, Holstein, Iowa