Sam LaPorta
No. 87 – Detroit Lions | |||||
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Position: | Tight end | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | Highland, Illinois, U.S. | January 12, 2001||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||
Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Highland (IL) | ||||
College: | Iowa (2019–2022) | ||||
NFL draft: | 2023 / Round: 2 / Pick: 34 | ||||
Career history | |||||
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Roster status: | Active | ||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||
NFL records
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Career NFL statistics as of 2023 | |||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Samuel Joseph LaPorta (born January 12, 2001) is an
Early years
LaPorta attended
College career
2019 season
LaPorta entered his freshman season in 2019 behind Nate Wieting and Shaun Beyer in the depth chart.[6] In Week 8 against Northwestern, LaPorta caught his first two career passes for 43 yards in a 20–0 win.[7] In 2019, LaPorta played in 12 games with two starts and had 15 receptions for 188 yards.[8][9]
2020 season
As a sophomore in 2020, LaPorta split starting duties with Beyer for the second year in a row. Against Purdue, LaPorta had a career-high 71 receiving yards on five receptions in a 24–20 loss.[10] He caught his first career touchdown against Illinois while having four receptions for 57 yards in a 35–21 win.[11] LaPorta played in eight games with five starts while recording 27 receptions for 271 yards and one touchdown.[12][13] He was also named Fourth-Team All-Big Ten Conference by Phil Steele and honorable-mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.[14][15]
2021 season
LaPorta became the starting
2022 season
To open the
College statistics
Iowa Hawkeyes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | GP | Receiving | |||
Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
2019 | 12 | 15 | 188 | 12.5 | 0 |
2020 | 8 | 27 | 271 | 10.0 | 1 |
2021 | 14 | 53 | 670 | 12.6 | 3 |
2022 | 12 | 58 | 657 | 11.3 | 1 |
Career | 46 | 153 | 1,786 | 11.7 | 5 |
College awards & honors
- 2020
- Fourth-Team All-Big Ten – Phil Steele
- Honorable Mention All-Big Ten – Coaches and Media
- 2021
- Second-Team All-Big Ten – Phil Steele
- Third-Team All-Big Ten – Coaches
- Honorable Mention All-Big Ten – Media
- 2022
- Kwalick–Clark Tight End of the Year
- Fourth-Team All-American– Phil Steele
- First-Team All-Big Ten – Coaches and Media
Professional career
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle |
Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 3+1⁄4 in (1.91 m) |
245 lb (111 kg) |
32+1⁄8 in (0.82 m) |
10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) |
4.59 s | 1.59 s | 2.61 s | 4.25 s | 6.91 s | 35.0 in (0.89 m) |
10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) |
16 reps | |
Sources:[30][31] |
The Detroit Lions selected LaPorta with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.[32]
2023 season
On September 24, 2023, LaPorta became the first tight end to tally five receptions in each of his first three games as well as having the most receptions by a tight end in that stretch with 18.[33] He also caught his first career touchdown pass on a 45-yard catch-and-run from Jared Goff.[34] The Lions would end up beating the Atlanta Falcons, 20–6.[35] With his four receptions in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, LaPorta broke the record for receptions by a tight end in their first four games with 22.[36] A week later in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers, LaPorta caught a pair of touchdowns for the first multi-touchdown game of his career while also having three receptions for 47 yards. The Lions would win, 42–24.[37]
In Week 8, LaPorta broke the Lions' franchise record for receptions by a rookie tight end with 43, breaking Charlie Sanders' record of 40 that he set in 1968.[38] During the game, he caught eight passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in the 26–14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.[39] In the Lions' 22–29 loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving, LaPorta broke Sanders' franchise record of 533 yards by a rookie tight end when he had five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.[40] In Week 13, LaPorta broke the franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie tight end in a single game with 140 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.[41] The Lions would beat the New Orleans Saints, 33–28.[42] He was named Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance.[43]
In the Lions' Week 15 win over the
LaPorta set many Lions records during his rookie season. He set new records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns by a tight end overall. All of which were also the Lions' rookie tight end records. His 10 receiving touchdowns were also the record for Lions rookies overall. He was an
NFL career statistics
Legend | |
---|---|
Lions franchise record (for tight ends) | |
Led the league (for tight ends) | |
Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
2023 | DET | 17 | 14 | 86 | 889 | 10.3 | 48 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 17 | 14 | 86 | 889 | 10.3 | 48 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Postseason
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
2023 | DET | 3 | 3 | 21 | 176 | 8.4 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 3 | 3 | 21 | 176 | 8.4 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
NFL records
- First tight end to have 5+ receptions in each of their first three games of their career.[49]
- First tight end to have 60+ receptions, 675+ yards, and 6+ touchdowns through their first twelve games of their career.[50]
- Most receptions by a tight end in a rookie season: 86 (2023)[51]
- First rookie tight end to tally at least 70 receptions, 700 yards, and eight touchdowns in a single season (2023)
- Tied for most touchdowns by a rookie tight end in the Super Bowl era
Lions franchise records
- Most receptions by a tight end in a single season: 86 (2023)
- Most receptions by a tight end in a rookie season: 86 (2023)
- Most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season: 889 (2023)
- Most receiving yards by a tight end in a rookie season: 889 (2023)
- Most receiving touchdowns by a tight end in a single season: 10 (2023)[52]
- Most receiving touchdowns by a tight end in a rookie season: 10 (2023)
- Most receiving touchdowns by a player in a rookie season: 10 (2023)
- Most receiving yards by a tight end in a rookie game: 140 (December 3, 2023, vs. New Orleans Saints)[53]
References
- ^ Matter, Dave (April 28, 2023). "Detroit makes Highland's Sam LaPorta the latest Iowa tight end taken in NFL draft". STLtoday.com. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Emmert, Mark (October 28, 2020). "Tracing Sam LaPorta's path from small-town sensation to budding star tight end at Iowa". Hawk Central. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Vartanian, Garen; Duncan, Jonathan (April 28, 2023). "Highland native Sam LaPorta hears his name called in the 2nd round of the NFL draft". Belleview News-Democrat. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Halfacre, Paul (December 19, 2018). "Highland's LaPorta taking his talents to Iowa". STLtoday.com. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Bain, Matthew (December 18, 2018). "Iowa lands its third three-star Illinois TE in Sam LaPorta". Hawk Central. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Machlin, Tzvi (July 18, 2019). "Here Is Iowa's 2019 Preseason Depth Chart". The Spun. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Howe, Rob (March 31, 2020). "Iowa Football Position Preview: Tight End Group Should be More Involved in '20". Hawkeye Nation. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Batterson, Steve (October 28, 2020). "Hawkeyes' LaPorta follows a successful path". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Dochterman, Scott (October 28, 2020). "Why Sam LaPorta is primed to become the next great Iowa tight end". The Athletic. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Emmert, Mark. "Tracing Sam LaPorta's path from small-town sensation to budding star tight end at Iowa". Hawk Central. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "No. 24 Iowa scores 35 unanswered to beat Illinois 35-14". ESPN. AP. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Leistikow, Chad (April 20, 2021). "After emerging in shortened 2020 season, Sam LaPorta aims to be Iowa's 'next great tight end'". Hawk Central. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Jeff (October 28, 2020). "Is Sam LaPorta the next great Iowa tight end? Sure looks like he's on his way there". The Gazette. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Phil Steele's 2020 Postseason All-Big Ten Team". Phil Steele. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Big Ten Unveils Football All-Conference Teams for Defense and Select Individual Honors". B1G. Big Ten Conference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Devine, Tyler. "Phil Steele names 11 Hawkeyes preseason All-Big Ten". Hawks Fanatic. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Dopirak, Dustin. "3 reasons IU football lost to Iowa: Brutal start, Michael Penix struggles, too many flags". IndyStar. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "10@10: LaPorta has career day against Kent State". The Mercury. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "LaPorta learns lesson with touchdown celebration". Iowa Rivals. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Bain, Matthew. "Recap: Iowa football loses to Kentucky 20-17 in the Citrus Bowl". Hawks Central. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Southard, Dargan (October 7, 2021). "Dissecting Sam LaPorta's growth and how vital the Iowa tight end will be vs. Penn State". Hawk Central. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Vann, Leah (June 14, 2021). "Iowa football summer check-in: Tight ends". The Gazette. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Phil Steele's 2021 Postseason All-Big Ten Team". Phil Steele. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Big Ten Announces Football All-Conference Teams for Offense and Select Individual Honors". B1G. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "IOWA FOOTBALL AWARDS ANNOUNCED". Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "CAMPBELL, MOSS, LAPORTA NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS BY PHIL STEELE". Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Moore, Raven. "Recap: Iowa football defeated by Illinois for the first time since 2008 in defensive battle". Hawks Central. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Iowa 24-3 Purdue (Nov 5, 2022) - Recap". ESPN. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Helmer, Josh. "Surprise, surprise. The Iowa Hawkeyes have the best TE in the Big Ten in Sam LaPorta". Hawkeyes Wire. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Sam LaPorta Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Sam LaPorta College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ Twentyman, Tim (April 28, 2023). "Lions draft tight end Sam LaPorta". DetroitLions.com. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Reisman, Jeremy (September 24, 2023). "Lions' Sam LaPorta breaks several rookie tight end records". Pride of Detroit. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ Southard, Dargen (September 26, 2023). "These three former Iowa football players stood out in Week 3 of the NFL season". Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Macri, Jonathon (September 24, 2023). "NFL Week 3 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 20, Atlanta Falcons 6". Pro Football Focus. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Stone, Jackson. "Lions TE Sam LaPorta barges into territory not even Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce reached". Clutch Points. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ Sparks, Jackson. "Sam LaPorta Scores Pair Of Touchdowns In Win". RotoBaller.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Payne, Zach. "Detroit Lions Week 8 Report Card: Turnovers, red zone woes barely hinder dominant effort versus Raiders". Sideline Nation Lions. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "Sam LaPorta finds the end zone in Week 8". 5th Down Fantasy. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "Lions' Sam LaPorta establishes best season for rookie tight end in franchise history". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ McCarriston, Shanna. "Lions' Sam LaPorta sets franchise rookie record, earns praise from teammates and Saints' Tyrann Mathieu". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Pouncy, Colton. "Lions' Sam LaPorta is setting NFL rookie tight end records, but he has bigger goals". The Athletic. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Maakaron, John. "Detroit Lions Sam LaPorta Voted Rookie of the Week". WLNS. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ Benjamin, Cody (December 17, 2023). "Lions' Sam LaPorta having one of the best rookie TE seasons in NFL history after three-TD night". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ^ Woodyard, Eric. "Lions' Sam LaPorta breaks NFL mark for receptions by rookie TE". ESPN. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Owens, Jason. "Lions Pro Bowl TE Sam LaPorta carted off with reported hyperextended knee vs. Vikings". YahooSports!. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Lions Floated as Landing Spot for 3-Time Pro Bowl TE After Sam LaPorta Injury". Heavy.com. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs finish top 4 in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting". Lions Wire. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ Chirco, Vito. "Sam LaPorta Sets NFL Tight End Record to Start Career". FanNation. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Pouncy, Colton. "Lions' Sam LaPorta is setting NFL rookie tight end records, but he has bigger goals". The Athletic. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Chavanelle, Nikki. "Sam LaPorta breaks record for most receptions by a rookie TE in NFL history". On3. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Berreman, Brad. "Sam LaPorta quickly leaving Lions rookie tight end records behind, coming for overall franchise records". Sideline Report. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- CBSSports. Retrieved January 25, 2024.