Sam LaPorta

Sam LaPorta
LaPorta with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2021
No. 87 – Detroit Lions
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (2001-01-12) January 12, 2001
Highland, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Highland (IL)
College:Iowa (2019–2022)
NFL draft:2023: 2nd round, 34th pick
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards

NFL record

  • Postseason receiving yards by a rookie tight end: 176
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Receptions:146
Receiving yards:1,615
Receiving touchdowns:17
Stats at Pro Football Reference 

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.