Following an All-Big Ten season at Iowa, tight end Sam LaPorta of Highland, Illinois, became a Detroit Lion on Friday and the first player from the metro area chosen in the NFL draft.
LaPorta, a Post-Dispatch All-Metro selection in 2018, was a four-year starter for the Hawkeyes after his prolific pass-catching career at Highland High. The Lions, a rising NFC franchise led by another tight end, head coach Dan Campbell, selected LaPorta with the third choice of the second around and the 34th pick overall. Detroit used its first-round pick on LaPorta’s Iowa teammate, linebacker Jack Campbell.
LaPorta became the 12th Iowa tight end drafted since 2000.