Addison Ostrenga Prepared for Sophomore season

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Addison Ostrenga was one of eight true freshmen to play for Iowa last season.

He only caught one pass — a 6-yard reception against Minnesota — but the experience, he said, made all of the difference.

“It definitely helped a lot,” Ostrenga said. “Even just learning the playbook and getting the experience on the field, the game-like feel, it really helped a lot.”

There is a steady progression in Ostrenga’s game — the experience, the weight game, the understanding of the playbook. And that’s going to be important in a crowded and competitive tight end room.

That’s why this spring, he said, is important.

“I think this time of the year really helps me,” Ostrenga said last week. “Last season I was learning the playbook, getting it down. Now, I feel like I understand that, and I can focus on each route, running, blocking, everything.”

Ostrenga is part of a position group that is important to Iowa’s offense, and always has been under coach Kirk Ferentz. Sam LaPorta is off to the NFL draft, but Erick All transferred from Michigan during the offseason. And with Luke Lachey back, there is a healthy competition in the position.

Lachey said he has seen the growth in Ostrenga’s game.

“It seems like he brings in every catch, every ball that’s thrown to him,” Lachey said. “He’s been really good at blocking and everything like that. He’s really learning the offense. There are some plays where he might know better than me.”

Ostrenga, from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, played as a receiver in high school, but has had to put on weight since coming to Iowa. He was listed at 234 pounds last season and now, Ostrenga said, he’s up to 255.

“I definitely feel, speed-wise, it’s changed,” he said. “I feel like I’ve gotten faster and stronger, which is really cool to see and feel.

“I definitely learned I had to put on a lot of weight, and I’ve done that now. I’ve put on a lot of weight since I got here.”

Ostrenga feels he is at his ideal weight.

“I kind of feel good where I’m at right now,” Ostrenga said. “Sam (LaPorta) was at the same weight I’m at now.”

LaPorta, Ostrenga said, played a crucial role in his education last season.

“Just learning the plays. Understanding defenses. The route running,” Ostrenga said. “Different things like that. He definitely pounded that down.”

Blocking is a key part of the position, and that’s been another area where Ostrenga has grown.

“In high school, I was mainly a receiver, so I didn’t do a ton of blocking,” he said. “I’ve learned a ton.”

Ostrenga originally committed to Iowa for baseball, but changed that commitment when Ferentz and his staff offered a scholarship.

Occasionally, he said, he feels the pull of the other sport.

“This time of year, I’m kind of feeling it,” Ostrenga said. “You see the guys out there. It is hard, but I’m glad I made the decision.”