For the past two seasons, Noah Fant has been one of the most productive tight ends in the Big Ten, setting a school record for touchdown receptions by a tight end in 2017. In addition, even with a thriving ground attack and the rise of the younger T.J. Hockenson, Fant still notched career-highs in receptions and receiving yards this season.

And that’s where this decision stops making sense.

Given all that, you’d be shocked to learn that Fant was outshone by his own teammate for the title of Big Ten Tight End of the Year. What’s more, Fant announced his decision after Iowa’s regular-season finale against Nebraska. Any player would want one more opportunity to display his skills to the pro teams.

Fant has been handed that opportunity on a silver platter.

With Iowa set to take on No. 18 Mississippi State to open the calendar year, Fant was given a prime opening to showcase all he’s got against the fourth-ranked defense nationally.

Want to show that you can put up a big game against one of the few defenses better than Iowa’s? You can in Tampa. Want to show that you can put up points against a team surrendering an FBS-low 12 points per game? You can in Tampa.

There will always be Pro Days and there will always be the Combine to put out more impressions.

One final chance to show these scouts all you’ve got, with meaningful snaps against a ranked team? Well, that’ll only come in January.