After a standout 2023 rookie campaign with the Detroit Lions (13-2, 5-0 NFC North), former Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Sam LaPorta has continued his meteoric rise amongst the position’s top talents with another impressive year.
So far this season, LaPorta has 47 receptions for 599 yards and six touchdowns for a Lions squad competing for their second-consecutive NFC North division crown and possibly the NFC’s No. 1 seed entering the playoffs.
LaPorta’s four receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 34-17 victory vs. the Chicago Bears (4-11, 0-5 NFC North) from Chicago’s Soldier Field had the former Hawkeye join an exclusive NFL club.
LaPorta’s early third-quarter touchdown reception passed Rob Gronkowski (132) for the third-most receptions logged by a tight end through their fist two career seasons.
LaPorta’s 133 receptions only trail Jim Phillips (138) and Keith Jackson (144) for the top spot in the niche statistical category.
We told ya he’s an athlete 😉#ProBowlVote | @JaredGoff16 | @samlaporta pic.twitter.com/Fx4NZvBrGE
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 22, 2024
LaPorta also became the second tight end in Lions franchise history with multiple seasons of 500-plus yards and five-plus touchdowns (2023, 2024), joining Charlie Sanders (1970, 1971, and 1976).
During his time with Iowa from 2019-22, LaPorta recorded 153 receptions for 1,766 yards and five touchdowns in 46 career games. LaPorta would later be selected by the Lions 34th overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.
With only two games remaining in the regular season, LaPorta’s chances of surpassing Jackson for the top spot may be slim, but the Detroit fan favorite has shown no signs of slowing down.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.
Follow Scout on X:Â @SpringgateNews