NFL Draft Scout
Featured In/On:
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Selected: Round 2, Pick 3, Overall Pick 34 by Lions
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Name: Sam LaPorta (+) Coming off Nov 2022 Knee INJ
College: Iowa
Number: 84
School Bio/Stats Link: HERE
Height: 6-3 Weight: 245
Position: Pos2:
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2023
40 Low: 4.54 40 Time: 4.59 40 High: 4.65
> Projected Round: Stock: 
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Data Scout Notes: X-2-4/**Returning for 2022/14GP-Rec TL in 21-53-670-12.6-3TD in 21/Grown from HS WR **2022: TEOYC/1stC/MackeyFinalist...(+) Coming off Nov 2022 Knee INJ...PMackey/PLombardi...2021: 3rdC...PMackey...2020: HMC...PMackey
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Combine Results |
Pro Day Results |
Combine Invite: Yes
Height: 6032
Weight: 245
Zybek PD3X AKA "Official"
40 Yard Dash (ET): 4.59
40 Yard Dash (HH): 4.56
20 Yard (ET): 2.61
20 Yard (HH): 2.56
10 Yard (ET): 1.55
10 Yard (HH): 1.50
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225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 10'03"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.25
3-Cone Drill: 6.91
Projected 4.67/No Bench-Choice
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Dates: 03/20/23
Hand: 10 1/4 Arm: 32 1/8
Wingspan: 77 1/2
Height: 6032
Weight: 245
40 Yrd Dash:
20 Yrd Dash:
10 Yrd Dash:
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225 Lb. Bench Reps: 16
Vertical Jump:
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle:
3-Cone Drill:
Bench & Position Drills Only
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Sam LaPorta, Iowa, Player News
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Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta anticipates being "ready to go" for the Music City Bowl after tearing the meniscus in one of his knees last month against Minnesota. He had his knee scoped to repair the injury in the week following the Minnesota football game. Four weeks later, LaPorta said Thursday his knee is "feeling good." The return of the John Mackey Award finalist is significant for an offense that ranks 130th out of 131 teams in yards per game and will be without several key pieces for the bowl game. Quarterback Alex Padilla and wide receivers Keagan Johnson and Arland Bruce IV left via the transfer portal, and quarterback Spencer Petras is unavailable after having shoulder surgery. Joe Labas is expected to make his first career start at quarterback. LaPorta suffered the meniscus tear on a 24-yard fourth-down reception in the first quarter against the Gophers. "I turned up, and I kind of just felt something pop in my knee," LaPorta said. "Went back in for one more play and then didn't feel too good." LaPorta was out for the Hawkeyes' season-closing loss to Nebraska. He spent some time on the sideline and some in the locker room so he could put his knee in a compression machine. He did so "hoping that I could keep the swelling down for a possi ble chance to play in the Big Ten championship," LaPorta said, although it became a moot point when Iowa came up short of a division title. - The Gazette
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023  TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: The Gazette
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2022 JOHN MACKEY AWARD FINALIST (OUTSTANDING TIGHT END): Sam LaPorta, Iowa,...LaPorta (6-foot-4, 249-pounds) leads Iowa in both receptions and receiving yards, totaling 53 receptions for 601 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta was injured in the first quarter of Iowa's win at Minnesota and did not play against Nebraska. LaPorta leads the Big Ten Conference tight ends in receptions and yards. LaPorta's career totals include 148 receptions for 1,730 yards to rank 15th in career receiving yards. Among Iowa tigh t ends, he ranks first in career receptions and is second to Marv Cook in receiving yards.LaPorta had nine receptions for 101 yards at Illinois, six receptions for 55 yards at Ohio State and three receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown at Purdue. Prior to his first quarter injury at Minnesota, he had totaled four catches for 95 yards. Iowa has had two previous winners of the Mackey Award, including Dallas Clark in 2002 and T.J. Hockenson in 2018. Tony Moeaki (2009), Allen Reisner (2010) and Noah Fant (2018) were also semifinalists for the award. - Iowa Football
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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Iowa senior tight end Sam LaPorta was named to the All-Big Ten first team by coaches and media. He also was named the Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year. He is the second Iowa player to win the Big Ten honor (T.J. Hockenson in 2018). LaPorta decided to forego the 2022 NFL Draft to return to Iowa for one final season, and he will leave the program as one of the most decorated tight ends in school history. He ranks first in career catches (148) and second in receiving yards (1,730). He's been a mainstay in Iowa's offense and this season came with new responsibilities.Because of injury issues at wide receiver, LaPorta often lined up at outside receiver to fill a void. His versatility was perhaps his biggest asset this season. He was the most relia ble player on an offense that struggled throughout 2022. It's unknown if LaPorta will suit up in Iowa's bowl game later this month as he's still recovering from injury. Regardless of his status, this week's awards announcements solidify LaPorta's place w ithin Iowa's storied tight end lineage. - Iowa Press Citizen
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Press Citizen
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2022 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM (COACHES): TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa,...LaPorta leads Iowa in both receptions and receiving yards, totaling 53 receptions for 601 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta was injured in the first quarter of the win at Minnesota and did not play against Nebraska. LaPorta's career totals include 148 receptions for 1,730 yards to rank 15th in career receiving yards. Among tight ends, LaPorta ranks first in career receptions and second to Marv Cook in receiving yards. - Iowa Football
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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2022 BIG TEN KWALICK-CLARK TIGHT END OF THE YEAR: Sam LaPorta, Iowa,...University of Iowa senior tight end Sam LaPorta has been named the Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year to highlight Iowa's offensive honors on the all-conference teams. The Bi g Ten announced the offensive awards Wednesday. LaPorta earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from both league coaches and media after being named third team as a junior. LaPorta is also one of three tight ends named as finalists for the John Mackey Award , which goes to the top tight end in the nation.LaPorta leads Iowa in both receptions and receiving yards, totaling 53 receptions for 601 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta was injured in the first quarter of the win at Minnesota and did not play agai nst Nebraska. LaPorta's career totals include 148 receptions for 1,730 yards to rank 15th in career receiving yards. Among tight ends, LaPorta ranks first in career receptions and second to Marv Cook in receiving yards. - Iowa Football
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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2022 PRESEASON ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCHLIST: Sam LaPorta, Iowa, Sr TE,...LaPorta was voted second-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele and third-team by league coaches in 2021. As a junior, LaPorta led the Hawkeyes in catches and yards, hauling in 53 recep tions for 670 yards and three touchdowns. The Hawkeye tight end has been named to the Athlon Sports 2022 preseason All-Big Ten First Team, and third team on Phil Steele’s preseason All-America Team. He was also named to the 2022 John Mackey Award Watch List. - Iowa Football
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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2022 PRESEASON JOHN MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST: SAM LaPORTA, IOWA,....LaPorta (6-4, 249 pounds) was voted second-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele and third-team by league coaches in 2021. As a junior, LaPorta led the Hawkeyes in catches and yards, hauling in 53 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns. The Hawkeye tight end has been named to the Athlon Sports 2022 preseason All-Big Ten First Team, and third team on Phil Steele's preseason All-America Team. - Iowa Football
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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A third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021, Sam LaPorta outplayed his lack of accolades, especially late in the season. Over his final three games, LaPorta totaled 245 receiving yards. His 122 receiving yards against Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl are tied for the second-most in an Iowa bowl game. He scored on a 36-yard screen pass early in the fourth quarter. "Sam's a guy that runs great routes," Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras said. "He catches the football and he makes plays after he catches them. A gre at tight end like that is a quarterback's best friend. He's just a great player. It's just my job to get him the ball when he's open, and that's quite a bit." "He just has a knack for getting open," said Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell, one of LaPorta's ro ommates and a second-team All-American. "He does a great job of just finding the soft spots in a zone, sitting down."LaPorta, 21, considered leaving for the NFL after his third year - just like Hockenson and Fant - but instead wanted to round out his Iowa career with a great senior season and a college degree. LaPorta needs 23 catches and 532 receiving yards to become the program's all-time leader among tight ends in both categories. "He just loves it there," Staci LaPorta said. "He loves everyth ing about Iowa football and didn't want to leave early and look back at it wishing that he would have gone back for that senior year. Just being with all of his teammates and his housemates and the coaches and to get his degree finished up. He weighed bo th options, but he felt really comfortable making the decision to get back for his senior year. "He's got some pretty big goals for himself." - The Athletic
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: The Athletic
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LaPorta's much-anticipated senior year will involve a new position coach. Abdul Hodge joined Iowa's staff in March as tight ends coach after offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz moved from tight ends to quarterbacks. LaPorta sees qualities in Hodge that " we can all strive to do a little bit more." "He's analyzing things all the time, picking my brain," LaPorta said. "I pick his brain as well. He's a guy that sets his ego aside. He never lets his pride get in the way. If he needs to ask a question … he' s willing to do that."Hodge, who played and coached at linebacker, has brought some of his defensive expertise to the offense. "As an older guy, I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of the offense and the scheme that we're trying to run, " LaPorta said, "so getting input from him as to what the defense is trying to do to stop us I think has helped me understand our defense." At the same time, LaPorta has plenty of respect from Hodge. "The transition that I think he's going to take now is a transition to be also a great leader on our team," Hodge said in March. "He's got his head down. He's working on a consistent basis to get better. He's really conscious of little details." - The Gazette
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: The Gazette
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Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta has proven to be a reliable target over the past two seasons. After starting only two games in 2019, he emerged as a full-time starter last year. He led the team in catches (27) and was second in receiving yards yards (271). Wi th 20 career games and seven starts under his belt, LaPorta is a veteran on offense. His experience will be counted on heavily this year with several young, inexperienced tight ends behind him on the depth chart. In year three of Brian Ferentz's offense , LaPorta is more comfortable than ever in his role. He believes he can make an impact regardless of the game situation. "I think I see myself as a really versatile guy," LaPorta said. "I've been telling people that I can have a great game whether I have no catches or 10 catches. "Running is a huge part of our offense; we like to pound the rock. I think I've progressed as a blocker and a pass-catcher. I've gotten a lot of reps in spring ball and seen a lot of game action, so that's helping me."La Porta's pass-catching abilities are not in question. The goal in 2021 is emerging as that all-around tight end that Iowa's grown accustomed to over head coach Kirk Ferentz's tenure. So far this offseason, LaPorta has stepped up as a leader and showcased the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. "He's definitely an all-around tight end," quarterback Spencer Petras said. "He knows how to block. He's extremely physical and really tough. I also think he's really good at running routes and, if he catc hes the ball, can make plays after the catch." - Iowa City Press-Citizen
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen
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It's hard to believe that Iowa's third-year tight end, the one who will likely have an NFL Draft decision to make eight or nine months from now, is experiencing his first spring football practices at the college level. Yet Sam LaPorta has taken full adva ntage of his developmental time at Iowa. That's been evident on the field, as he was the Hawkeyes' leader with 27 receptions in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. And it's apparent when the small-town, southern Illinois product speaks about his 22 month s on campus in Iowa City."The developmental program that Iowa is, it's definitely a slow-build sort of process," LaPorta said Tuesday, in one of the more engaging Zoom sessions of the past year in Iowa football. "My freshman year I sort of look ba ck now and (think), 'Oh my goodness, how could I have done those things?' Even with this past season, I look back and (realize) I've had that look three or four times now in spring ball. And I'm not messing that up anymore, the way that I messed that up in the season. "Getting that experience and getting the reps is what makes the difference in the fall." LaPorta sounds (and looks) mature enough to handle being one of the most important factors in the Hawkeyes' 2021 offense. With last year's No. 2 tight end, Shaun Beyer, off to the NFL (with the potential to get drafted), the Hawkeyes are inexperienced behind LaPorta, who at age 20 in this young group qualifies as a seasoned veteran. - Iowa City Press-Citizen
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen
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2020 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Sam LaPorta,...LaPorta, a Highland, Illinois, native, earns his first career postseason honor. LaPorta has a team-high 27 receptions and ranks second on the team with 271 receiving yards. He scored h is first career touchdown in Week 7 at Illinois. - Iowa Football
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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2020 JOHN MACKEY AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Sam Laporta, Iowa,...LaPorta (6-foot-4, 250-pounds) saw action as a true freshman in 2019, recording 15 receptions for 188 yards. LaPorta started and recorded a career-best six receptions (44 yards) in Iowa's Holiday bowl victory over #22 USC. T.J. Hockenson won the 2018 John Mackey award, becoming the second Hawkeye (Dallas Clark, 2002) to do so. Noah Fant was a semifinalist in 2018, joining Allen Reisner (2010) and Tony Moeaki (2009) as semifinalists. - Iow a Football
(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023 TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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