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IOWA CITY – Bryan Bulaga calls Tony Moeaki “a freak.”

Teammate Dace Richardson says the Iowa football team’s tight end “can play any position on the field.”

Unfortunately for Hawkeye fans, the Moeaki highlight tape isn’t as extensive as many would like since the senior has battled a rash of injuries the past 2 1/2 years.

From a dislocated elbow and injured wrist to a broken foot, strained calf and recently a sprained ankle, Moeaki’s career at Iowa has been filled with “what ifs.”

When healthy, the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder from Wheaton, Ill., showed how dominant and special he can be during Iowa’s 30-28 win over Michigan on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium.

After missing the past three games with the ankle injury and limited practice time last week, Moeaki hauled in six receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

His last score, a 42-yard reception, came early in the fourth quarter to make it a two-possession game.

“The guy is unbelievable,” receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos said. “The guy is one of the best teammates I’ve ever played with as far as talent and love of the game. It’s amazing. There’s nothing about Tony that’s a fluke.”

Other than Bulaga, a 310-pound offensive tackle, Moeaki may be Iowa’s top NFL prospect. In addition to his pass-catching skills, Moeaki excels at run-blocking.

“I haven’t been around a better one, personally, and that’s at any level,” said head coach Kirk Ferentz, who has coached in the NFL. “He’s really, really good.”

It was evident during Saturday’s second half. The majority of Iowa’s success in the ground game came off the right side – where Moeaki was lined up.

“He’s unreal,” Bulaga said. “He just brings another dimension to our team. You can see where he could have helped us in these last three weeks. It’s unbelievable to have him out there because you see how much he opens up our playbook.

“(Allen) Reisner has done a great job for us, but having a guy like Moeaki is unbelievable.”

Apparently, Moeaki’s athletic prowess extends beyond the football field.

The first-team all-American football star in high school is also quite good at basketball and tennis. His father is the tennis coach in suburban Chicago.

“He could pick up any ball in any sport and be good at it,” receiver Trey Stross said. “He’s good at everything. He picks up a (video game) and he just kills you.”

The biggest obstacle for Moeaki has been avoiding the injury report.

He missed the last eight games of the 2007 season after a horrific elbow injury at Wisconsin. Last season, Moeaki was sidelined for four of Iowa’s 13 contests.

“It’s tough sitting out games,” he said. “You want to be out there to help your teammates.”

“He’s been through an awful lot,” Ferentz said, “so I’m just hopeful he can sneak out the next seven games and play every snap.”

When Moeaki sustained the ankle injury against Iowa State, Ferentz wouldn’t let him return until he was near 100 percent so he could enjoy his final year at full strength.

“I trust coach Ferentz,” Moeaki said. “If he thought I could have played then he would have played me in previous weeks. Maybe it’s for the best.”

Saturday was probably Moeaki’s second best showing as a Hawkeye.

Two years ago against Syracuse, he snared eight passes for 112 yards and three scores. Ironically, that Syracuse team was coached by Greg Robinson, Michigan’s defensive coordinator.

“He has a knack for finding the end zone,” quarterback Ricky Stanzi said. “He brings a lot of energy to our team. Everybody loves the kid; he’s a great football player and a hard worker.

“His character is really what this team is looking for, and he’s obviously one of our leaders.”

Moeaki, who was named the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the week on Sunday, savored Saturday’s performance.

“Running out of the tunnel with my teammates is always really special to me,” he said. “It’s just a great group of guys, so it’s just great to be out there with them.”