Sam LaPorta
{{Short description|American football player (born 2001)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Sam LaPorta
| image = SamLaPorta.jpg
| alt =
| caption = LaPorta with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2021
| current_team = Detroit Lions
| number = 87
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|1|12}}
| birth_place = Highland, Illinois, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 245
| high_school = Highland (IL)
| college = Iowa (2019–2022)
| draftyear = 2023
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 34
| pastteams =
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- Second-team All-Pro (2023)
- Pro Bowl (2023)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2023)
- Big Ten Tight End of the Year (2022)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2022)
- Second-team All-Big Ten (2021)
NFL record
- Postseason receiving yards by a rookie tight end: 176
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 146
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 1,615
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 17
}}
Samuel Joseph LaPorta (born January 12, 2001) is an American professional football tight end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was named the Big Ten Tight End of the Year in 2022. He was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, LaPorta was named a second-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl. He also broke the NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end (since broken by 2024 rookie Brock Bowers), along with setting Detroit franchise records for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns by a tight end.
Early life
LaPorta attended Highland High School in Illinois.{{Cite web |last=Matter |first=Dave |date=April 28, 2023 |title=Detroit makes Highland's Sam LaPorta the latest Iowa tight end taken in NFL draft |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/detroit-makes-highlands-sam-laporta-the-latest-iowa-tight-end-taken-in-nfl-draft/article_1f16b528-e608-11ed-b68f-b7b8f9cad4f2.html |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Emmert |first=Mark |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Tracing Sam LaPorta's path from small-town sensation to budding star tight end at Iowa |url=https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/2020/10/28/iowa-football-sam-laporta-overlooked-high-school-quickly-risen-top-depth-chart-hawkeye-tight-end/6057268002/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Hawk Central}}{{Cite web |last1=Vartanian |first1=Garen |last2=Duncan |first2=Jonathan |date=April 28, 2023 |title=Highland native Sam LaPorta hears his name called in the 2nd round of the NFL draft |url=https://www.bnd.com/sports/nfl/article274715976.html |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Belleview News-Democrat}} He played wide receiver and defensive back in high school. During his career he had 3,793 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns. LaPorta committed to the University of Iowa to play college football.{{Cite web |last=Halfacre |first=Paul |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Highland's LaPorta taking his talents to Iowa |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/recruiting/football/highlands-laporta-taking-his-talents-to-iowa/article_a6f782c8-039b-11e9-a366-9be54ec1d92c.html |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=STLtoday.com}}{{Cite web |last=Bain |first=Matthew |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Iowa lands its third three-star Illinois TE in Sam LaPorta |url=https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football-recruiting/2018/12/18/iowa-lands-third-three-star-illinois-tight-end-sam-laporta-national-signing-day/2357822002/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Hawk Central}}
College career
=2019 season=
{{See also|2019 Iowa Hawkeyes football team}}
LaPorta entered his freshman season in 2019 behind Nate Wieting and Shaun Beyer in the depth chart.{{Cite web |last=Machlin |first=Tzvi |date=July 18, 2019 |title=Here Is Iowa's 2019 Preseason Depth Chart |url=https://thespun.com/big-ten/iowa-hawkeyes/iowa-football-preseason-depth-chart |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=The Spun}} In Week 8 against Northwestern, LaPorta caught his first two career passes for 43 yards in a 20–0 win.{{Cite web |last=Howe |first=Rob |date=March 31, 2020 |title=Iowa Football Position Preview: Tight End Group Should be More Involved in '20 |url=https://www.hawkeyenation.com/news/iowa-football-position-preview-tight-end-group-should-be-more-involved-in-20/article_c80ebf03-7e92-5e9c-9f88-e3f6c84e9d7d.html |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Hawkeye Nation}} In 2019, LaPorta played in 12 games with two starts and had 15 receptions for 188 yards.{{Cite web |last=Batterson |first=Steve |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Hawkeyes' LaPorta follows a successful path |url=https://qctimes.com/sports/college/football/hawkeyes-laporta-follows-a-successful-path/article_2abe98d7-a8b3-532f-84fc-d557549afb44.html |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=The Quad-City Times}}{{Cite web |last=Dochterman |first=Scott |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Why Sam LaPorta is primed to become the next great Iowa tight end |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2165263/2020/10/28/iowa-football-sam-laporta-tight-end-big-ten-development/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=The Athletic}}
=2020 season=
{{See also|2020 Iowa Hawkeyes football team}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Emmert |first=Mark |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Tracing Sam LaPorta's path from small-town sensation to budding star tight end at Iowa |url=https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/2020/10/28/iowa-football-sam-laporta-overlooked-high-school-quickly-risen-top-depth-chart-hawkeye-tight-end/6057268002/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Hawk Central}} He caught his first career touchdown against Illinois while having four receptions for 57 yards in a 35–21 win.{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2020 |title=No. 24 Iowa scores 35 unanswered to beat Illinois 35-14 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401247337 |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} LaPorta played in eight games with five starts while recording 27 receptions for 271 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Leistikow |first=Chad |date=April 20, 2021 |title=After emerging in shortened 2020 season, Sam LaPorta aims to be Iowa's 'next great tight end' |url=https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football/2021/04/20/sam-laporta-embraces-idea-iowa-football-next-great-tight-end-tj-hockenson-george-kittle-noah-fant/7300134002/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Hawk Central}}{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Jeff |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Is Sam LaPorta the next great Iowa tight end? Sure looks like he's on his way there |url=https://www.thegazette.com/hawkeye-football/is-sam-laporta-the-next-great-iowa-tight-end-sure-looks-like-hes-on-his-way-there/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=The Gazette}} He was also named Fourth-Team All-Big Ten Conference by Phil Steele and honorable-mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.{{cite web |title=Phil Steele's 2020 Postseason All-Big Ten Team |url=https://plus.philsteele.com/All_Conference/2020/2020_FBS_Postseason/BigTen.html |website=Phil Steele |access-date=October 10, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Big Ten Unveils Football All-Conference Teams for Defense and Select Individual Honors |url=https://bigten.org/news/2020/12/16/big-ten-unveils-football-all-conference-teams-for-defense-and-select-individual-honors.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216190400/https://bigten.org/news/2020/12/16/big-ten-unveils-football-all-conference-teams-for-defense-and-select-individual-honors.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |website=B1G |publisher=Big Ten Conference |access-date=October 10, 2023}}
=2021 season=
{{See also|2021 Iowa Hawkeyes football team}}
LaPorta became the starting tight end in 2021. He was placed on the Mackey Award Preseason Watch List and was named Preseason Third-Team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.{{Cite web |last=Devine |first=Tyler |date=June 22, 2021 |title=Phil Steele names 11 Hawkeyes preseason All-Big Ten |url=https://hawkfanatic.com/2021/06/22/phil-steele-names-11-hawkeyes-preseason-all-big-ten/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Hawks Fanatic}} In their first game against ranked Indiana, LaPorta set a new career-best with 83 yards on five receptions in a 34–6 blowout win.{{Cite web |last=Dopirak |first=Dustin |date=September 4, 2021 |title=3 reasons IU football lost to Iowa: Brutal start, Michael Penix struggles, too many flags |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2021/09/04/three-reasons-indiana-football-lost-iowa-hawkeyes-score-michael-penix-iu-hoosiers-tom-allen/8252796002/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=IndyStar}} Against Kent State, LaPorta caught a career-best seven catches while totaling 65 yards and adding a touchdown in a 30–7 win.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2021 |title=10@10: LaPorta has career day against Kent State |url=https://www.pottsmerc.com/2021/09/20/1010-laporta-has-career-day-against-kent-state/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=The Mercury}} He caught another touchdown against Colorado State in a 24–14 win.{{Cite web |last=Kakert |first=Tom |date=September 25, 2021 |title=LaPorta learns lesson with touchdown celebration |url=https://iowa.rivals.com/news/laporta-learns-lesson-with-touchdown-celebrations |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Iowa Rivals}} Against ranked Kentucky in the 2022 Citrus Bowl, LaPorta had his first 100-yard game with seven receptions, matching a career-high, for 122 yards and a touchdown that gave the Hawkeyes the lead. They would not hold on to win, losing 20–17.{{Cite web |last=Bain |first=Matthew |date=January 1, 2022 |title=Recap: Iowa football loses to Kentucky 20-17 in the Citrus Bowl |url=https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football/2022/01/01/iowa-football-score-kentucky-citrus-bowl-live-updates-watch-uk/9067338002/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Hawks Central}} LaPorta hauled in 53 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns in 2021, all career-highs.{{Cite web |last=Southard |first=Dargan |date=October 7, 2021 |title=Dissecting Sam LaPorta's growth and how vital the Iowa tight end will be vs. Penn State |url=https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football/2021/10/07/iowa-football-tight-end-sam-laporta-vital-against-penn-state-2021-hawkeyes-fox/6019231001/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Hawk Central}}{{Cite web |last=Vann |first=Leah |date=June 14, 2021 |title=Iowa football summer check-in: Tight ends |url=https://www.thegazette.com/hawkeye-football/iowa-football-summer-check-in-sam-laporta-leads-inexperienced-tight-ends/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=The Gazette}} At the end of the season, LaPorta was named Second-Team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele, Third-Team All-Big Ten by the coaches, and honorable-mention All-Big Ten by the media.{{cite web |title=Phil Steele's 2021 Postseason All-Big Ten Team |url=https://plus.philsteele.com/All_Conference/2021%20FBS/2021_FBS_Postseason/BigTen.html |website=Phil Steele |access-date=October 10, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Big Ten Announces Football All-Conference Teams for Offense and Select Individual Honors |url=https://bigten.org/news/2021/12/1/big-ten-announces-football-all-conference-teams-for-offense-and-select-individual-honors.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201183105/https://bigten.org/news/2021/12/1/big-ten-announces-football-all-conference-teams-for-offense-and-select-individual-honors.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |website=B1G |access-date=October 10, 2023}} He was also an Iowa Hawkeyes Team Hustle Award recipient.{{cite web |title=Iowa Football Awards Announced |url=https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2022/03/11/iowa-football-awards-announced-7/ |website=Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics |date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2023}}
=2022 season=
{{See also|2022 Iowa Hawkeyes football team}}
To open the 2022 season, LaPorta was put on the Rotary Lombardi Award and Mackey Award Preseason Watch List as well as being named Preseason Third-Team All-American by Phil Steele, Fourth-Team All-American by Athlon Sports, and First-Team All-Big Ten by both Steele and Athlon.{{cite web |title=Campbell, Moss, LaPorta Named Preseason All-Americans by Phil Steele |url=https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2022/06/15/campbell-moss-laporta-named-preseason-all-americans-by-phil-steele/ |website=Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics |date=June 15, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2023}} He was also named as one of Iowa's team captains. In a loss to Iowa State, LaPorta caught a career-best eight passes for 55 yards. Against Illinois, he would top that total with nine receptions for 101 yards in a 9–6 loss.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Raven |date=October 8, 2022 |title=Recap: Iowa football defeated by Illinois for the first time since 2008 in defensive battle |url=https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football/2022/10/08/iowa-football-vs-illinois-live-updates-scores-analysis-highlights-big-ten-west/69538783007/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Hawks Central}} Against Purdue, LaPorta caught his only touchdown of the season in a 24–3 win.{{cite web |title=Iowa 24-3 Purdue (Nov 5, 2022) - Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401405130 |website=ESPN |access-date=October 10, 2023}} As true senior in 2022, Laporta had 58 catches for 657 yards. He was named Fourth-Team All-American by Phil Steele, First-Team All-Big Ten, and Kwalick–Clark Tight End of the Year.{{Cite web |last=Helmer |first=Josh |date=November 30, 2022 |title=Surprise, surprise. The Iowa Hawkeyes have the best TE in the Big Ten in Sam LaPorta |url=https://hawkeyeswire.usatoday.com/2022/11/30/iowa-hawkeyes-football-sam-laporta-named-kwalick-clark-big-ten-tight-end-of-the-year/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Hawkeyes Wire|publisher=USA Today}} He finished 14th at Iowa in career receiving yards (1,786) on 153 receptions, ranking first among Iowa tight ends in catches and second in yards.
=College statistics=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | |||||
| colspan="6" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Iowa Hawkeyes}}"| Iowa Hawkeyes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="4"| 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 | |||||
| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sam-laporta-1.html 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
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3 1/4
| weight = 245
| dash = 4.59
| ten split = 1.59
| twenty split = 2.61
| shuttle = 4.25
| cone drill = 6.91
| vertical = 35.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 3
| bench = 16
| arm span = 32 1/8
| hand span = 10 1/4
| note = Sources:{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/sam-laporta/32004c41-5064-0235-3970-b5e5514839fc |title=Sam LaPorta Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 20, 2023}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1031313&DraftYear=2023 |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Sam LaPorta College Football Profile |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
The Detroit Lions selected LaPorta with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Twentyman |first=Tim |date=April 28, 2023 |title=Lions draft tight end Sam LaPorta |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-draft-tight-end-sam-laporta |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=DetroitLions.com}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Reisman |first=Jeremy |date=September 24, 2023 |title=Lions' Sam LaPorta breaks several rookie tight end records |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/9/24/23888397/lions-sam-laporta-breaks-several-rookie-tight-end-records |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=Pride of Detroit}} He also caught his first career touchdown pass on a 45-yard catch-and-run from Jared Goff.{{Cite web |last=Southard |first=Dargen |date=September 26, 2023 |title=These three former Iowa football players stood out in Week 3 of the NFL season |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football/2023/09/26/how-former-iowa-football-players-did-in-week-3-of-nfl-action-hawkeyes-buffalo-bills-detroit-lions/70969794007/ |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=Des Moines Register}} The Lions would end up beating the Atlanta Falcons, 20–6.{{Cite web |last=Macri |first=Jonathon |date=September 24, 2023 |title=NFL Week 3 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 20, Atlanta Falcons 6 |url=https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-3-game-recap-detroit-lions-20-atlanta-falcons-6 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Focus}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Jackson |date=September 28, 2023 |title=Lions TE Sam LaPorta barges into territory not even Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce reached |url=https://clutchpoints.com/lions-news-sam-lapaporta-barges-te-territory-not-even-rob-gronkowski-travis-kelce-reached |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=Clutch Points}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Sparks |first1=Jackson |title=Sam LaPorta Scores Pair Of Touchdowns In Win |url=https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/sam-laporta-scores-pair-of-touchdowns-in-win/1250628 |website=RotoBaller.com |access-date=October 8, 2023}}
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 {{NFL Year|1968}}.{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=Zach |date=October 31, 2023 |title=Detroit Lions Week 8 Report Card: Turnovers, red zone woes barely hinder dominant effort versus Raiders |url=https://sidelionreport.com/posts/detroit-lions-week-8-report-card-turnovers-red-zone-woes-barely-hinder-dominant-effort-versus-raiders/2 |access-date=November 4, 2023 |website=Sideline Nation Lions}} During the game, he caught eight passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in the 26–14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2023 |title=Sam LaPorta finds the end zone in Week 8 |url=https://5thdownfantasy.com/news/sam-laporta-finds-the-end-zone-in-week-8/ |access-date=November 4, 2023 |website=5th Down Fantasy}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Justin |date=November 23, 2023 |title=Lions' Sam LaPorta establishes best season for rookie tight end in franchise history |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/11/23/sam-laporta-establishes-best-season-rookie-tight-end-detroit-lions-history/71686370007/ |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=McCarriston |first=Shanna |date=December 4, 2023 |title=Lions' Sam LaPorta sets franchise rookie record, earns praise from teammates and Saints' Tyrann Mathieu |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-sam-laporta-sets-franchise-rookie-record-earns-praise-from-teammates-and-saints-tyrann-mathieu |access-date=December 5, 2023 |website=CBS Sports}} The Lions would beat the New Orleans Saints, 33–28.{{Cite web |last=Pouncy |first=Colton |date=December 3, 2023 |title=Lions' Sam LaPorta is setting NFL rookie tight end records, but he has bigger goals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5109253/2023/12/03/sam-laporta-lions-nfl-rookie-tight-end-records/ |access-date=December 5, 2023 |website=The Athletic}} He was named Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance.{{Cite web |last=Maakaron |first=John |date=December 7, 2023 |title=Detroit Lions Sam LaPorta Voted Rookie of the Week |url=https://www.wlns.com/sports/sports-illustrated/arena-nfl/si-detroit-lions-nfl/dc517c79/detroit-lions-sam-laporta-voted-rookie-of-the-week/ |access-date=December 8, 2023 |website=WLNS}}
In the Lions' Week 15 win over the Denver Broncos, LaPorta became the first rookie tight end since Jeremy Shockey in 2002 to record 70 receptions in a season while also becoming the first rookie tight end since Joseph Fauria in 2013 to record three receiving touchdowns in a single game.{{cite web|last=Benjamin|first=Cody|title=Lions' Sam LaPorta having one of the best rookie TE seasons in NFL history after three-TD night|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-sam-laporta-having-one-of-the-best-rookie-te-seasons-in-nfl-history-after-three-td-night/|website=CBSSports.com|date=December 17, 2023|access-date=December 17, 2023}} In Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings, LaPorta broke the single-season rookie tight end record for receptions with 82. It also came on his 10th touchdown of the season.{{Cite web |last=Woodyard |first=Eric |date=January 7, 2024 |title=Lions' Sam LaPorta breaks NFL mark for receptions by rookie TE |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39259282/lions-sam-laporta-breaks-nfl-mark-receptions-rookie-tight-end |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}} LaPorta also left the game early after hyperextending his knee.{{Cite web |last=Owens |first=Jason |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Lions Pro Bowl TE Sam LaPorta carted off with reported hyperextended knee vs. Vikings |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-pro-bowl-te-sam-laporta-carted-off-with-reported-hyperextended-knee-vs-vikings-195049015.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Yahoo Sports!}} After finishing the season with 86 receptions, 889 yards, and a tight end leading 10 touchdowns, LaPorta was named to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.{{Cite web |title=Sam LaPorta 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaPoSa01/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Holcomb |first=Dave |date=January 7, 2024 |title=Lions Floated as Landing Spot for 3-Time Pro Bowl TE After Sam LaPorta Injury |url=https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/detroit-lions/sam-laporta-zach-ertz-nfl-rumors/ |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Heavy.com |language=en-US}} He was also selected as a Second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2023/allpro.htm |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} LaPorta was also named a finalist for the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year Award.{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2024 |title=NFL Announces Nominees for 2023 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year |url=https://operations.nfl.com/updates/football-ops/nfl-announces-nominees-for-2023-pepsi-zero-sugar-nfl-rookie-of-the-year/ |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}
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 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist.{{Cite web |last=Risdon |first=Jeff |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs finish top 4 in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting |url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/02/08/sam-laporta-and-jahmyr-gibbs-finish-top-4-in-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-voting/ |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=Lions Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}} He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2023.htm |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In his first postseason game, LaPorta scored a receiving touchdown in the Wild Card Round win over the Rams.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions - January 14th, 2024 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202401140det.htm |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In the 2024 season, LaPorta finished with 60 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Sam LaPorta 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaPoSa01/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He scored a receiving touchdown in the Lions' Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders.{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions - January 18th, 2025 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202501180det.htm |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| {{operational|''}}
| Lions franchise record (for tight ends) |
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league (for tight ends) |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | DET
| 17 || 14 || {{operational|86}} || {{operational|889}} || 10.3 || 48 || {{operational|10}} || 1 || 4 || 4.0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | DET
| 16 || 16 || 60 || 726 || 12.1 || 52 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaPoSa01.htm Career] | 33 | 30 | 146 | 1,615 | 11.1 | 52 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
=Postseason=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | DET
| 3 || 3 || 21 || 176 || 8.4 || 16 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2024
!DET |1 |1 |6 |51 |8.5 |14 |1 |0 |0 | |||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaPoSa01.htm Career] | 4 | 4 | 27 | 227 | 8.4 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
=NFL records=
- 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){{Cite web |last=Berreman |first=Brad |date=December 16, 2023 |title=Sam LaPorta quickly leaving Lions rookie tight end records behind, coming for overall franchise records |url=https://sidelionreport.com/posts/sam-laporta-quickly-leaving-lions-rookie-tight-end-records-behind-coming-for-overall-franchise-records |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Sideline Report}}
- 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){{Cite web |last=McCarriston |first=Shanna |date=December 4, 2023 |title=LaPorta set franchise record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end against Saints |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-sam-laporta-sets-franchise-rookie-record-earns-praise-from-teammates-and-saints-tyrann-mathieu/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=CBSSports}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{footballstats|yahoo=40064|espn=4430027|pfr=L/LaPoSa01|nfl=sam-laporta/}}
- [https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/sam-laporta/ Detroit Lions bio]
- [https://hawkeyesports.com/roster/sam-laporta/ Iowa Hawkeyes bio]
{{Detroit Lions roster navbox}}
{{Lions2023DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:LaPorta, Sam}}
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football players
Category:People from Highland, Illinois
Category:Sportspeople from Madison County, Illinois
Category:Players of American football from Illinois