By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – With the early departures of T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant, the Iowa football team has gone to the transfer portal in search of a future replacement.

Former Rutgers tight end Travis Vokolek recently entered the transfer portal and heard from Iowa soon after.

“They want me to come out for a visit,” Vokolek said. “I plan on taking a visit for sure. (I like) the winning tradition that they have and the way they utilize tight ends.”

Vokolek, a native of Springfield, Mo., was not recruited by Iowa coming out of high school, but he does have ties to the state of Iowa.

His father, D.J. Vokolek, was an assistant under Travis’ uncle, Terry Allen, when Allen was the head coach at Northern Iowa from 1989-96.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Travis Vokolek said that the proximity of his hometown and his ties to Iowa are big factors in his decision.

“I think that it is a huge favorite that Iowa isn’t far from my hometown,” Travis Vokolek said. “I think being close to the family plays a big role.”

Travis Vokolek said that he also has been in contact with Arkansas and Kansas State.

During the 2018 season, Travis Vokolek played in all 12 games for the Scarlet Knights, including seven starts.

He recorded 16 catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns.

Coming out of high school, Travis Vokolek has scholarship offers from Army, Buffalo, Minnesota, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Rutgers, South Dakota and Wyoming.