Samuel Joseph LaPorta is an American football NFL tight end for the Detroit Lions in the 2024 season. The Lions drafted LaPorta with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he played in 17 regular-season games, recording 86 receptions for 889 receiving yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. The same year, he earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team and set an NFL record for the most receptions by a rookie tight end in a single season. As of Week 15 in the 2024 NFL season, LaPorta has totaled 129 receptions, 1,445 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns in his career.
LaPorta attended Highland High School in Illinois, where he played wide receiver and defensive back. He finished his high school career with 3,793 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns before committing to the University of Iowa. According to Sports Reference, he concluded his collegiate career with 153 receptions, 1,786 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. He was named the Big Ten Tight End of the Year in 2022, earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022, and also received Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021.
Sam LaPorta Playoffs Appearances
As of the 2023 NFL season, LaPorta has started in all three of his playoff appearances with the Lions. In his playoffs career, he recorded 21 receptions for 176 receiving yards and has scored a touchdown.
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2023 | DET | 3 | 3 | 21 | 176 | 8.4 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 3 | 3 | 21 | 176 | 8.4 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Sam LaPorta Playoffs Win-Loss Record
As of December 2024, LaPorta has a 2-1 (win-loss) playoff record (via Statmuse).
| Game | DATE | W | ROUND | TM | OPP |
| 1 | 1/14/2024 | 1 | NFC Wild Card | DET | LAR |
| 2 | 1/21/2024 | 1 | NFC Divisional | DET | TB |
| 3 | 1/28/2024 | 0 | NFC Championship | DET | SF |
| Record | 2-1 |
Sam LaPorta Conference Championships Record
LaPorta has an NFL Conference Championship record of 0-1, as of December 2024.
In the 2023 NFC Championship, the 49ers beat the Lions, 34-31, on January 28. In the match, LaPorta had 9 receptions for 97 yards, with no touchdowns.
| Game | DATE | W | ROUND | TM | OPP |
| 1 | 1/28/2024 | 0 | NFC Championship | DET | SF |
| Record | 0-1 |
FAQs on Sam LaPorta
A. Sam LaPorta was selected by Detroit Lions with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
A. Sam LaPorta plays as football tight end.
A. Sam LaPorta attended the University of Iowa.
A. Sam LaPorta wears jersey number 87 in the NFL.
