Iowa has a rich history of exemplary play at the tight end position. The Hawkeyes have a track record of recent NFL success with tight ends, too.
T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant were selected No. 8 and No. 20 overall in the 2019 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos, respectively. Meanwhile, after being taken in the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2017 NFL draft, George Kittle has morphed himself into one of the league’s biggest stars.
Naturally, there’s a lot to uphold with that type of pedigree at the position for any tight end playing for the Hawkeyes. Senior Sam LaPorta has done a terrific job of grabbing that torch and running with it.
The 6-foot-4, 249 pound tight end out of Highland High School in Illinois led Iowa in receiving last season. LaPorta finished with a team-high 53 receptions for 670 receiving yards and three touchdown grabs.
He’s had plenty of highlights with the Hawkeyes already and is in store for plenty more in 2022. LaPorta will be one of the most important offensive players for Iowa in 2022. Here’s a look back at his Hawkeye career thus far through these splendid photos.