Sam LaPorta named to Mackey Award Preseason Watch List
The award is presented to the nation’s most outstanding tight end.
Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta receives a pass during the 2019 SDCCU Holiday Bowl between Iowa and USC in San Diego on Friday, Dec. 27, 2019. LaPorta finished with 44 yards off of 6 catches.
July 17, 2020
Iowa sophomore tight end Sam LaPorta has been named to the 2020 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List. The Highland, Illinois, native is one of only three sophomores named to the 36-player watch list.
Presented annually by the Friends of John Mackey, the award goes to the nation’s most outstanding tight end.
LaPorta (6-foot-4, 250-pounds) saw action as a true freshman in 2019, recording 15 receptions for 188 yards. LaPorta started and recorded a career-best six receptions (44 yards) in Iowa’s Holiday Bowl victory over No. 22 USC.
T.J. Hockenson won the 2018 John Mackey award, becoming the second Hawkeye (Dallas Clark, 2002) to do so. Noah Fant was a semifinalist in 2018, joining Allen Reisner (2010) and Tony Moeaki (2009) as semifinalists.
Established in 2000, the award is named after Syracuse tight end, five-time Pro Bowl selection, and NFL Hall of Famer John Mackey.