Young fans look on as Iowa's Sam LaPorta signs an autograph during Kids Day practice on Aug. 13, 2022 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)
Combine Capsule: Sam LaPorta
Sam LaPorta could have left college after last season and been selected in the NFL Draft. Instead, the Iowa tight end returned to school and became the Big Ten player of the year at his position.
LaPorta (6-3, 245) overcame a late-season leg injury to play for the Hawkeyes in the December Music City Bowl. Last week, he worked out for professional scouts at the testing combine in Indianapolis
The Highland (IL) High product shined throughout his college career. Among Iowa tight ends all-time, he ranks first in receptions (153) and second in receiving yards (1,786).
His testing at the combine married well with his production. Next Gen Stats saw him as the No. 3 tight end there in Athletic Score (86) and fifth in Total Score (82). His RAS (Relative Athletic Score) card lit up with "Elite" and "Great" testing with comps to current standout NFL tight ends George Kittle, from Iowa, and Evan Engram.
LaPorta's 4.59-second 40-yard dash in Indy ranked third among players at his position. His 3-Cone (6.91) came in second, his 20-yard shuttle (4.25) was third, his 10-yard split (1.59) ranked eighth, his vertical jump (35.0 inches) was seventh and his broad jump rated (10 feet, 3 inches) was sixth. He saved bench press until his pro day at Iowa later this month.
Analyst Lance Zierlein wrote about LaPorta at NFL.com:
Highly targeted tight end whose playing style and physical abilities land somewhere between a connected (in-line or wing) and move tight end. LaPorta has the ability to threaten zone coverage and will make the basic catches. However, he lacks the desired elusiveness and ball skills to come away with the more challenging catches. LaPorta takes on run-blocking chores with inconsistent positioning but has the potential to improve with more work in that phase of the game. His catch production is splashy, but he appears to have average-starter potential at the next level.
LaPorta is popping up with favorable placement in many of the early mock drafts. Here's a look at some of them:
USA Today: 3rd RD, Pick No. 83 overall, Seattle
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: 3rd RD, Pick No. 78 overall, Green Bay
WalterFootball.com: 4th RD, Pick No. 111 overall, Washington
Pro Football Focus: 2nd RD, Pick No. 60 overall, Cincinnati
DraftCoundown.com: 3rd RD, Pick No. 78 overall, Green Bay
