Former Iowa Hawkeyes star reaches new heights in NFL season

The 2024 NFL season has been a struggle for Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, but the former Iowa Hawkeyes star made his presence known in his team’s biggest game of the year on Thursday night.

LaPorta had five catches for 54 yards in the Lions’ Week 14 win over the Green Bay Packers and was also targeted seven times. He set season highs in both his mileage and his goals.

His five receptions were also his second-highest total of the year, as he totaled six grabs in Detroit’s victory over the Tennessee Titans on October 27.

It wasn’t an easy campaign for LaPorta.

Expectations were very high for the Iowa product in 2024, as he recorded 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns during his rookie season last year, which led to a Pro Bowl appearance.

However, LaPorta became an afterthought in the Lions’ explosive offense over the first three months of this season. In 12 appearances, the 23-year-old caught 36 balls for 445 yards and five scores.

That’s obviously well below his totals from last year, but perhaps his performance against the hated rival Packers on Thursday night can help keep LaPorta moving forward.

LaPorta is part of an Air Raid that also includes wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, so quarterback Jared Goff hasn’t looked his way as much as fantasy football owners would like.

But perhaps Goff will target LaPorta more now as the regular season comes to a close.