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, where he earned the title of Big Ten Tight End of the Year in 2022. LaPorta was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he was named a second-team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl selection. Additionally, he set an NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end, while also breaking Detroit’s franchise records for receiving yards and touchdowns by a rookie tight end.
Sam LaPorta Biography 2024
The Detroit Lions selected Samuel LaPorta with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. On September 24, 2023, LaPorta made history by becoming the first tight end to record five receptions in each of his first three games, totaling 18 receptions during that span—the most by any tight end. He also caught his first career touchdown, a 45-yard catch-and-run from quarterback Jared Goff, in a 20–6 win over the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, LaPorta set a new record for most receptions by a tight end in their first four games, finishing with 22 catches. The following week, in a 42–24 victory over the Carolina Panthers, LaPorta caught two touchdown passes, marking his first career multi-touchdown game, along with three receptions for 47 yards.
Sam LaPorta Biography Details
| Born: | January 12, 2001 (age 23)
Highland, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
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| Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) |
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Sam LaPorta Early Life
LaPorta attended Highland High School in Illinois, where he played both wide receiver and defensive back. Over the course of his high school career, he accumulated 3,793 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns. He committed to the University of Iowa to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Sam LaPorta Bio
Career Aspect | Details |
Full Name | Samuel Joseph LaPorta |
Position | Tight End (TE) |
Height | 6’3″ (190 cm) |
Weight | 245 lbs (111 kg) |
College | Iowa |
NFL Draft Year | 2023 |
Draft Position | 2nd Round (34th overall) |
Team | Detroit Lions |
Pro Bowls | 1 (2023) |
Awards | AP All-Pro 2nd Team (2023), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2023) |
Sam LaPorta Season Performance
Season Highlights | Stats |
Games Played (2024) | 8 |
Games Started | 8 |
Receptions | 22 |
Receiving Yards | 300 |
Yards per Reception | 13.6 |
Touchdowns | 2 |
Longest Reception | 52 yards |
Catch Percentage | 69.2% |
Rookie Year Performance
Season Aspect | 2023 Stats |
Games Played | 17 |
Games Started | 14 |
Receptions | 86 |
Receiving Yards | 889 |
Yards per Reception | 10.3 |
Touchdowns | 10 |
Longest Reception | 52 yards |
Catch Percentage | 71.7% |
Advanced Receiving Stats
Advanced Stat | 2024 Stat |
Yards After Catch | 183 |
YAC per Reception | 8.3 |
Breakaway Tackles | 2 |
Reception per Break | 11.0% |
Drop Percentage | 4.2% |
Intended Targets | 26 |
Completion % | 69.2% |
Fantasy Football Stats
Fantasy Stat | 2024 Fantasy Stats |
Fantasy Points | 42.0 |
VBD (Value-Based Draft) | 15 |
Position Rank | 11 |
Overall Rank | 195 |
Career Reception Stats
Stat Type | 2023 Season | 2024 Season | Career Total |
Targets | 120 | 26 | 146 |
Receptions | 86 | 22 | 108 |
Receiving Yards | 889 | 300 | 1189 |
Touchdowns | 10 | 2 | 12 |
Receiving Yards Per Game
Season | Yards/Game |
2023 Season | 52.3 |
2024 Season | 37.5 |
Career Average | 47.6 |
Longest Reception Stats
Season | Longest Reception |
2023 Season | 52 yards |
2024 Season | 52 yards |
Career Average | 52 yards |
Touchdowns and Scoring
Year | Touchdowns | Total Points |
2023 Season | 10 | 64 |
2024 Season | 2 | 12 |
Career Total | 12 | 76 |
Catch Percentage & Targets
Season | Catch % | Targets |
2023 Season | 71.7% | 120 |
2024 Season | 69.2% | 26 |
Career Total | 70.0% | 146 |
Snap Count and Usage
Year | Offensive Snaps | Defensive Snaps | Special Teams Snaps |
2023 Season | 981 (83%) | 0 (0%) | 12 (3%) |
2024 Season | 395 (79%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (1%) |
Total Scrimmage Yards
Year | Scrimmage Yards |
2023 Season | 893 |
2024 Season | 300 |
Career Total | 1193 |
Advanced Breakdown by Reception Type
Reception Type | 2023 Stats | 2024 Stats |
Yards per Reception | 10.3 | 13.6 |
YAC | 358 | 183 |
Catch Percentage | 71.7% | 69.2% |
Breakaway Tackles | 9 | 2 |
Pro Bowl and Career Honors
Season | Award |
2023 | Pro Bowl, AP All-Pro 2nd Team, PFWA All-Rookie Team |
Sam LaPorta Career Fantasy Stats
Season | Fantasy Points | Rank |
2023 | 153 | 65 |
2024 | 42 | 195 |
Sam LaPorta Net Worth
Sam LaPorta net worth is estimated between $3 – $5 million.
Sam LaPorta Summary
Sam LaPorta has quickly become one of the most exciting young tight ends in the NFL. From his outstanding 2023 rookie season, where he set multiple franchise records and earned a Pro Bowl selection, to his continued success in 2024, LaPorta’s future in the league looks bright. His blend of size, speed, and versatility has made him a focal point of the Detroit Lions’ offense, and his career is only beginning to take shape. With a strong start to his career, LaPorta is poised to be a standout player for years to come.
