Sam LaPorta breaks record for most receptions by a rookie TE in NFL history

NikkiChavanelle

Sam LaPorta Lions — Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK

Detroit Lions rookie Sam LaPorta broke the NFL record for most receptions by a first-year tight end on Sunday of Week 18. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star caught his 82nd pass from quarterback Jared Goff, surpassing the 81 catch record first set by Eagles tight end Keith Jackson in 1988.

LaPorta also joined elite company on Sunday, snagging his 10th touchdown reception of the season. He joined Mike Ditka (1961) and Rob Gronkowski (2010) as the only rookie tight ends with 10 touchdowns in their first year in the league.

The Lions drafted LaPorta with the third pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He began making an immediate impact for Detroit, recording at least five catches per game in each of his first three appearances.

The rookie entered the Week 18 matchup with 81 catches on 113 targets for 860 yards and nine touchdowns. He trails only wide receiver Amon Ra St. Brown in yards and receptions for the Lions this season.

LaPorta leads lasting legacy at Iowa

LaPorta led the Hawkeyes in receiving in his last two seasons, an impressive feat considering Iowa ranked near the bottom of the FBS in passing offense both years. His 153 catches throughout his career rank first among tight ends in program history, while his 1,786 yards receiving are second.

LaPorta finished the 2022 season with 58 catches for 657 yards and a touchdown as Iowa finished 8-5. He was named Big Ten Tight End of the Year and first team all-conference while also being one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award.

Additionally, LaPorta served as a team captain for Iowa in 2022. He appeared in 46 games with 32 starts over his career, starting all but one game in each of the past two seasons.

LaPorta played high school football for Highland (IL) High School, where he was a three-star prospect listed at receiver. He ranked as the No. 1,200 overall player and No. 165 receiver according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.