Combine Capsule: Sam LaPorta

Iowa Tight End Shines During Indianapolis Testing

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)

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. 

#Iowa TE Sam LaPorta

6-foot-3, 245.

4.59 40
35 vertical
6.91 3-Cone

Seam stretching ability. Get open at the second-level. Move the chains. Block in the zone run game. Rugged after the catch. pic.twitter.com/88cgDpjFxG

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 5, 2023

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.

Biggest Combine winners by position (imo):

QB: duh
RB: Zach Cahrbonnet, UCLA
TE: Sam LaPorta, Iowa
OT: Blake Freeland, BYU
IOL: Cody Mauch, NDSU
DT: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
DE: Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
LB: Jack Campbell, Iowa
CB: all of them
S: Quan Martin, Illinois

— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) March 6, 2023

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