An NFL superstar has delivered a huge prediction for this Iowa Hawkeyes legend.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes tight end didn’t quite meet expectations in his sophomore NFL season with the Detroit Lions in 2024.
While his stats may appear impressive at first glance—with LaPorta recording 60 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdowns—there were higher hopes following his rookie year, during which he tallied 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod and a Second-Team All-Pro selection.
Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown expressed confidence that LaPorta will have a breakout season in 2025, sharing his thoughts with reporters during organized team activities.
“I’m really excited for Sam LaPorta,” St. Brown said. “I think he didn’t get as many targets as he wanted last year. Not to undermine his accomplishments, because he’s a great player, but I can see him making plays every day this year. I believe he’s going to have a huge season.”
Last year, LaPorta saw limited opportunities in a crowded Detroit offense, as St. Brown, fellow receiver Jameson Williams, and running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery were primary targets. This led to his targets dropping from 86 in his rookie year to 60 in 2024, which might explain his frustration and the disparity in expected vs. actual performance.
Yet, there’s no denying LaPorta’s talent, a fact well known to Iowa fans. The 24-year-old had standout seasons in his last two years with the Hawkeyes in 2021 and 2022, consistently achieving over 50 receptions and 600 yards each year.
The Lions selected LaPorta in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
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