Sam Laporta (TE) – Iowa / Senior
6’3”, 245 Lbs. (Official)
2022 Stats: 12 Games, 58 Receptions, 657 Receiving yards, 11.3 Yards per reception, 1 Touchdown
{Reference: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sam-laporta-1.html}
Awards:
Measurables: Wingspan – 77-4/8″, Arm – 32-1/8″, Hand – 10-1/4″, Vertical – 35”, Broad – 1003, 40-yard – 4.59, 10-yard – 1.59, 3-Cone – 6.91, Shuttle – 4.25, Bench – 16 reps at 225 Lbs., RAS: 9.02
Games Watched: 2022 Vs. Illinois, 2022 Vs. Ohio St.
PRO’S
LaPorta is great after the catch, not winning in the traditional ways you’d expect from a tight end. Laporta does have the size/strength to run through tackles but he also has a swiftness about him to adjust his body pre contact and make a defender miss. This skill resulted in LaPorta forcing the most missed tackles in a single season by an Iowa tight end in school history (10), which is no trivial thing given the TE lineage from this school. 2022 Vs. Illinois, 1st QTR, 6:57, catches a ball in space by left sideline, stops his forward momentum to avoid contact by 1st defender, runs through 2nd defender with the aid of a stiff arm, finally brought down by the 3rd defender while tightroping the sideline. I like LaPorta’s ability to stretch the field and get vertical. Was relied upon heavily in the Iowa offense and did not disappoint.
CON’S
Slight frame, gets tossed around a bit on short yardage/interior carries. Needs to develop route running ability at the top of the route, needs to find a way to create separation when more athletic defensive backs are covering him. 16 reps on the bench press is a little concerning, I wonder if LaPorta has reached his ceiling physically or if there is room to add a little more weight/strength.
OVERALL
The lineage for tight ends at Iowa can not be overlooked — Clark, Kittle, Hockenson, Fant and now LaPorta. LaPorta is an exciting prospect to watch when given the ball in space, he’s quick to get up field and swift at avoiding contact. LaPorta has been trending up late in the draft process but I feel like early round 3 is his ceiling for draft capital. A good scenario for LaPorta would be to end up in a room with another skilled tight end, alla Isaiah Likely in 2022, LaPorta will not be depended on as much as a blocker and he will be able to showcase his skills without being relied upon too early in his career.
Completed by: @coachschepps, 04/12/23
Reviewed and edited: J. Clark, 04/12/23
