The tradition continues. And it is continuing without wasting any time at all.
That tradition is the Iowa Hawkeyes’ tradition of producing top-level tight end talent that goes on to dominate at the NFL level. The most recent example of that is Detroit Lions’ rookie Sam LaPorta.
LaPorta is already producing among some of the top tight ends in the entire NFL just four games into his young career. His production has earned him a spot on Pro Football Focus’ NFL First-Quarter All-Pro Team.
The rookie leads all tight ends with 242 receiving yards through Week 4 and is the only tight end in the league to average more than 2.00 yards per route run (2.30) across 20-plus targets. He is also tied for the league lead at all positions with six contested catches. – McGuinness, PFF
LaPorta appears to already have a connection with Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff as he goes his way a lot on third down and when they need a big time completion.
One of the most impressive things about this is who is listed as the second-team tight end. Pro Football Focus has slotted LaPorta into the first-team role ahead of Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce.
Sam LaPorta did this at Iowa with a high volume of efficient production and he has translated that to the NFL with no wasted time. Transitioning to the NFL as a tight end is often regarded as one of the hardest jumps to make, yet the former Hawkeye is making it look easy.
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