What’s next for Highland’s LaPorta? Super Bowl LVIII? NFL Rookie of the Year?
A Highland High School graduate has been a major part of one of the biggest stories in professional football in 2023.
And on Thursday, he learned he was among five finalists for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Sam LaPorta, a multi-sport athlete and member of the Highland Class of 2019, set NFL records for receptions by a rookie tight end and Detroit Lions’ franchise rookie records for receiving touchdowns and receiving yards.
On Sunday, he and the Lions will face off with the San Francisco 49ers with a Super Bowl LVIII berth on the line. It’ll be the Lions’ first appearance in a conference championship game since 1991 and just their second in the Super Bowl era.
LaPorta was among area leaders in pass receptions for three seasons at Highland before playing his college football at the University of Iowa. Entering the NFL draft last spring, he was heralded by some for his ability to catch a football, and devalued by other analysts and scouts for his slight stature and speed for an NFL tight end.
The Lions ended up drafting him in the second round of the NFL Draft, No. 34 overall, and just the second tight end selected.
It’s been a banner season for LaPorta, not just by rookie standards:
- On Sept. 24, he became the first rookie tight end to have five pass receptions in each of his first three games.
- His 22 receptions through his first four games set a new mark for NFL tight ends to begin their careers.
- His 43rd reception during a week 8 game set the Lions’ franchise record for rookies.
- On Thanksgiving Day, LaPorta set the franchise records for receptions yards by a tight end at 533.
- By Week 13, he set the team record for receptions yards by a rookie at any position.
- In a Week 15 win over Denver, LaPorta became the first rookie tight end in 22 years to record 70 catches and the first in 10 years to have three receiving touchdowns in a single game.
- With 86 regular season receptions, 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, the most among all tight ends in the NFL, he was selected to play in the 2024 Pro Bowl and second team All-Pro by the Associated Press.
LaPorta could not be reached through the team on Thursday. But he told the BND last spring that he’s carried his hometown with him on his journey to professional football.
“I’m super proud to represent the community of Highland and southern Illinois. It’s not every day that a kid gets to live out his dream of playing professional football,” he said. “To know that I’m one of the few who gets that opportunity, it’s just really cool.
“I want to make the most of it, of course, just showcasing that if you work hard, you can give yourself a chance and make the most of the opportunities presented to you.”
LaPorta hyper extended his knee in a win against the Minnesota VIkings, but has played with pain through two playoff games, notching a combined 12 catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. But he has been inactive this week as the Lions prepare for the NFC Championship game Sunday in San Francisco.
Other finalists for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year are LaPorta’s teammate in Detroit, running back Jahmyr Gibbs; Los Angeles Rams wide reciever Puka Nacua; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson; and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony Feb. 8 in Las Vegas.
This story was originally published January 25, 2024 at 4:17 PM.