2023 WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Sam LaPorta | Iowa | TE

worldwide rams

Ed "Pi Double I" Henderson 

Player Bio: Sam LaPorta prepped at Highland High School located in Highland, IL. At Highland High, LaPorta played wide receiver and defensive back for the school. He set an Illinois state record with 50 receiving touchdowns and ranked third with 3,793 receiving yards. LaPorta hauled in 68 receptions for 1,457 yards and 19 touchdowns, 53 tackles, and seven interceptions on defense in his senior year. He recorded 67 receptions for 1,387 yards and 20 touchdowns in his junior year while collecting seven interceptions. He earned first-team all-state honors on offense as a junior and senior, all-area defensive back as a junior and senior, first-team all-conference on defense as a sophomore, all-area on offense, and honorable mention all-conference as a receiver as a freshman.LaPorta also earned four letters in basketball and two in track.​

​​​​CLASS         |   SENIOR  

​HOMETOWN |  HIGHLAND, IL

​
​ HEIGHT                  WEIGHT           
 6' 4"                          245 lbs

HANDS                            ARMS
 10¼"                     32⅛"

SAM LAPORTA

TIGHT END

​​​​​DRAFT YEAR
​      2023      
COMBINE INVITE​
​YES

​PROJECTED 40 TIME 
4.50
DRAFT GRADE
6.18

SCHOOL:  IOWA                                             |                    CONFERENCE: BIG TEN
​        

accolades

​2023 NFL Combine Participant
2022 Phil Steele All-America Fourth-Team
2022 John Mackey Award Finalist
2022 Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year 
2022 Coaches All-Big Ten First-Team 
2022 Media All-Big Ten First-Team 
2022 Rotary Lombardi Award Midseason Watchlist 
2022 John Mackey Award Preseason Watchlist 
2022 Rotary Lombardi Award Preseason Watchlist 
2022 Phil Steele All-America Preseason Third-Team
2022 Athlon Sports All-America Preseason Fourth-Team
2022 Athlon Sports All-Big Ten Preseason First-Team
2022 Phil Steele All-Big Ten Preseason First-Team
2022 Roy Carver Most Valuable Player 
2022 Hayden Fry Award 
2022 Coaches Appreciation Award 
2021 Phil Steele All-Big Ten Second-Team
2021 Coches All-Big Ten Third-Team
2021 Media All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
2021 Mackey Award Preseason Watchlist 
2021 Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big Ten Third-Team
2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten Third-Team
2020 Phil Steele All-Big Ten Fourth-Team 
2020 Coaches All-Big Ten Honorable Mention 
2020 Media All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
2020 John Mackey Award Preseason Watchlist 
2020 Athlon All-Big Ten Preseason Fourth-Team

​COMBINE RESULTS 
40 YD DASH
4.59 
10 SPLIT
1.59
​BENCH PRESS
    DNP    
VERTICAL JUMP 
        35"        
BROAD JUMP
 123"
3 CONE DRILL
       6.91         
20 YD SHUTTLE
​4.25

GAME FILM
#84 Sam Laporta vs Minnesota (2021)

PRO DAY RESULTS  
40 YD DASH
DNP 
10 SPLIT
DNP
​BENCH PRESS
    DNP    
VERTICAL JUMP 
        DNP        
BROAD JUMP
 DNP
3 CONE DRILL
       DNP         
20 YD SHUTTLE
​DNP

#84 sam laporta
career highlights
​iowa hawkeyes

strengths

weakness

• He has a substantial frame with ideal height, weight, and physical status, versatility.
• Like any of the many other NFL tight ends from "Tight End U," he is an excellent blocker who can block inline or on the move and win at the point of attack.
• His versatility allows him to line up in the backfield wild cat quarterback or receiver in the screen game.
• He is an athletic tight end who runs well, has excellent flexibility, and runs silky passing routes.
• He plays with balance as a route runner who will be physically off the line by pressing safeties or linebackers.
• He is a quarterback's "security blanket" as he releases as a safety valve when protection breaks down. 
• He has reliable hands that will go up and get the ball and absorb the big hit for completion.
• He uses his physicality after the catch and will continue to fight for extra yardage.
• He accelerates well after the catch, with ability to shake a would be tackler with a spin move or uses a nice stiff straight arm to avoid tackles.

• He demonstrated tendencies of whiffing at blocks while in space due to poor blocking angles approach to his target.
• He needs better guidance on blocking against the faster and more athletic EDGE rushers and shore up his mechanics for the next level.
• He does not have blazing speed; he could not separate from defenders vertically down the field.
• He is not twitchy, even though occasionally there is a shake.
• I do not particularly appreciate that he does not win outright on most 50/50 contested catches.
• He cannot win at these balls at the high point.

Draft Projection: 2nd - 4th Round

NFL Comparison: ​​​Daniel Bellinger (New York Giants)

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