By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Somewhat lost in the hysteria over Josh Jackson’s incredible rise last season from reserve defensive back to unanimous first-team All-America selection was Noah Fant’s breakout performance at tight end.

Fant also went from being a reserve in 2016 to a star last season for the Iowa football team, but he sort came out of nowhere to do it as a true sophomore, much like Jackson did as a fourth-year junior.

A lack of publicity won't be a problem heading into this coming season as shown by Athlon Sports naming Fant to its 2018 preseason All-America team.

“Noah Fant's selection for first-team honors was an easy decision for Athlon's 2018 All-America Team,” said Steven Lassan, a senior editor for Athlon Sports who helps pick the preseason All-America teams for the annual publication. “We think he's the best all-around tight end in college football. With his size and athleticism, Fant is a tough matchup for opposing defenders in the passing attack. He's also a good blocker and teams with T.J. Hockenson to form arguably the best tight end pairing in college football for 2018.”

Fant and Hockenson formed a potent one-two punch at tight end last season, combining for 814 yards, 54 receptions and 14 touchdowns.

But Fant showed a special gift for making big plays at pivotal times. The Omaha, Neb., native used his 6-foot-5, 241-pound frame, his 42-inch vertical jump and his receiver-like speed to become a touchdown machine.

Fant had 11 touchdown receptions last season, which was the most for an Iowa tight end in a single season, and he averaged 16.5 yards per catch, which was more than any other tight end in the country.

“We liked his ability to be a big-time target in the red zone, as well as produce big plays (four catches of 40 or more yards),” Lassan said.

Fant’s statistics combined with his physical talent and expectations for this coming season clearly made him the best candidate at tight end, according to Lassan.

“We try to incorporate stats, talent and who we think is the best player at every position when selecting the All-America Team,” Lassan said. “Fant fit all of that criteria last season and we expect him to have another big year in 2018.”

Fant will undoubtedly be a marked man for opposing defenses this coming season, so it’ll be up to Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz to devise new ways to get him open.

Fant showed last season that he could be effective while lined up in a traditional formation with the tight end near the line of scrimmage or split out in space like a receiver. 

“It all depends on the game plan,” said Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley. “Coach Brian (Ferentz) does a great job of coming up with different stuff that’s unconventional, and I think it plays into the confusion of the defense, not necessarily knowing where (Noah's) going to be because he showed that he can do a lot of different things.

“So that really just causes a nightmare to defensive coordinators.”

Athlon Sports certainly thinks that will be the case this coming season.