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Get to know new Lions tight end Sam LaPorta

Birthplace: Highland, Illinois (Age 22)

High School: Highland High School

College: Iowa

After making All-Big Ten honorable mention as a sophomore, LaPorta, a former three-star recruit out of high school, was extremely productive as a receiver over his last two seasons at Iowa, a school known for producing tight ends, including All-Pro George Kittle (San Francisco) and former Detroit Lions first-rounder T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota).

LaPorta (6-foot-3, 245 pounds), a former basketball player, caught 53 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns as a junior and 58 for 657 and one touchdown as a senior.