Sam LaPorta looks to retain his Big Ten tight end crown in 2022

Sam LaPorta was the main pass catcher for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2021, leading Big Ten tight ends in receiving last season.

Tell me if you have heard this before: the Iowa Hawkeyes have one of the top tight ends not only in the Big Ten conference but in the entire NCAA. Sounds a bit familiar, right? George Kittle, Noah Fant, T.J. Hockenson. Now, enter Sam LaPorta.

The buzz around LaPorta is only continuing to grow as the nation wakes up and begins to recognize the talent level that the Hawkeyes’ tight end possesses.

Entering his fourth season for Iowa, he has improved every major statistical category year-over-year. The 6-foot-4, 249 pound tight end has increased his receptions, yards, and touchdowns each season as Iowa’s offense has steadily ramped up how often it feeds the ball to LaPorta.

Per Pro Football Focus’ research from their college department, you can see just how dominant LaPorta was within the Big Ten in 2021. His 53 catches and 670 yards were both tops in the Big Ten last season.

The part that illustrates just how good LaPorta is and could continue to become is his ability to make things happen with the ball downfield. Nearly half of his total yardage came after the catch. It speaks to his speed and mobility, traits that are becoming more and more popular in modern-day tight ends. Over 200 yards after contact says a lot about LaPorta’s willingness to make the tough catch and take on contact.

This joins the list of other outlets discussing what could be ahead for the Hawkeyes’ tight end. PFF also lists LaPorta as their fifth-best tight end and No. 90 overall prospect entering 2022. Athlon Sports believes he will once again be Iowa’s No. 1 target this fall as he looks to build on a career that has put him in the eyes of NFL decision makers.

With defensive coordinators focusing their attention on LaPorta this fall, don’t expect the production to slow down. The emergence of young receivers Keagan Johnson and [autotag]Arland Bruce IV[/autotag] should stretch the defense more than previous seasons leaving the space between the hashmarks open for LaPorta to feast on.

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