By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Two of the top college tight ends in country stood about 10 feet from each other in the Iowa Football Complex on Tuesday answering questions from the media.

Third-year sophomore T. J Hockenson and third-year junior Noah Fant have combined for 79 catches, 1,170 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns heading into Friday’s regular-season finale against Nebraska at Kinnick Stadium.

They form arguably the greatest one-two punch at tight end in program history, and that’s saying a lot considering Iowa’s long and storied tradition at tight end.

Hockenson is one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the nation’s top collegiate tight end, while Fant has scored 18 touchdowns in the last 24 games dating back to the start of last season.

So each has been spectacular in his own way, and they both will have a decision to make about their future after the season ends.

Hockenson and Fant both plan to meet with Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and with offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz after the season to discuss the possibility of leaving college early to enter the 2019 NFL Draft.

Hockenson still has two seasons of eligibility remaining after this season, while Fant has one season of eligibility remaining since he didn’t redshirt as a true freshman in 2016.

The fact that Hockenson is even in this position after just three seasons in the Iowa program is a testimony to his talent and to his work ethic.

“It’s pretty surreal just how fast it has happened,” Hockenson said. It’s pretty crazy. But I’ve got two other years, so we’ll see.”

It seems that Hockenson is leaning towards returning to Iowa for at least one more season, but that could easily change if he gathers enough information that shows he could be taken early in the draft.

Fant would seem as the more likely choice to leave school early, because for one, he is a junior, and because some NFL draft experts, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., rank him as the top tight end in the 2019 draft should he decide to come out.

Kiper also has Hockenson ranked fifth among the tight ends.

“We’ll see what happens,” Fant said. “A lot of people kind of expect me to leave. But it just kind of all depends on what is given back to me and we’ll see what happens from there.

Fant is aware of the hype surrounding his draft status.

“I’ve seen them,” he said of the mock drafts. “A lot of them have me going in the first round. But that’s just all mock drafts and you never know what could actually happen.”

Fant will have a better idea where he stands after he is evaluated and graded by the NFL Draft advisory board.

The 6-foot-5, 241-pounder has the kind of skill set that would shine at the NFL Combine, including a 42-inch vertical jump and speed more common for a receiver.

The 6-5, 250-pound Hockenson, on the other hand, is more of a traditional tight end who seems as comfortable blocking in the trenches as making plays in space.

He and Fant complement each other well because they play the tight end position differently.

“I feel like I’m a totally different type of player,” Fant said. “He does his thing and I do my thing. I’m happy for his successes and he’s happy for my successes.

“I think we’re two totally different players. We have some similarities. But we have two different jobs in the offense.”

Kirk Ferentz recently caused a stir when he referred to Fant as a specialist while trying to explain Fant’s low snap camp during a 14-10 loss to Northwestern in which Fant only played nine snaps in the second half.

Ferentz tried to further explain what he meant on Tuesday while talking about his two star tight ends.

"T.J. is not your average bear by any stretch, and Noah, I've floated the term specialist out there,” Ferentz said. “It sounds like that gained some traction.

“But I guess my inference there was like, he runs like a specialist. There aren't many tight ends I've ever seen or been around, certainly, live that can run like he can. He almost effortless when he runs. So it puts him in a little different category in my mind as a tight end.”

There will be no right or wrong decision for Hockenson or Fant as long as they do what they feel is in their best interest.

They both could stay in school and add to their already impressive resumes, or they could start being paid handsomely to play a game that has a serious impact on the body.

Fant said on Tuesday that whatever he ultimately decides to do will be his decision. He will certainly consult with his family, whose advice he greatly respects.

It’s easy to assume that Fant’s family will encourage him to leave for the NFL because his older brother has been highly critical on social about how Noah has been used on offense this season.

“I think it’s one-hundred percent my decision,” Fant said. “My parents have totally backed me saying whatever you want to do, that’s your decision. And that’s kind of all that matters.”