Utah TE Roger Saleapaga Talks Iowa Offer
Hawkeyes Step Up for 4-Star
Iowa stepped forward with a scholarship offer for one of the nation’s better tight ends on Thursday night. Orem (UT) High junior Roger Saleapaga reported a Hawkeye opportunity.
Asked what he knew and liked about Iowa, the 6-foot-5, 200-pounder hit on Hawkeye history at his position.
“I know they’ve produced a lot of talent at tight end. They still are,” Saleapaga told HF.
Going by his numbers at MaxPreps.com, Saleapaga produces. He’s coming off of a junior season that saw him catch 78 passes for 1,267 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Iowa tight end coach Abdul Hodge delivered the good news to Saleapaga on Thursday. The assistant shared with him why the Hawkeyes see a fit for their program.
“They said it was because of work ethic. They are all hard workers, and I like to say I am as well,” Saleapaga said.
As you would imagine, Iowa has plenty of competition in its pursuit of Saleapaga. 247Sports reports him with 18 offers, including Baylor, BYU, Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, UCLA, Utah and Washington.
The Hawkeyes should stack up well when recruiting tight ends. USA Today ranks alum Sam LaPorta as the No. 5 player at the position for next month’s NFL Draft. He joins a lineage that includes George Kittle, Marv Cook, Dallas Clark, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, Scott Chandler, Jonathan Hayes and Brandon Myers.
Saleapaga understands he’s far from where he wants to end up. That’s why he could see himself at Iowa.
“They’re a program that develops players,” he said.
Saleapaga is targeting April 22 as a day to visit the Hawkeyes. That plan is waiting to be finalized.
247Sports and Rivals rank Saleapaga as a four-star, while On3 lists him with three stars. Rivals sees him as the No. 19 tight end nationally in the ’24 Class with 247 putting him one spot behind that.
He shines during his junior highlights as an athletic player who wins against defensive backs and delivers.