Peanut butter and jelly. Eggs and bacon. Summer days and country music. Tight ends and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Hawkeyes are putting out yet another NFL-caliber tight end, but here they are doing it once again and year after year. Iowa’s Sam Laporta is going to be the next tight end taken in the NFL draft and his stock is rising.

Pro Football Focus released that Sam LaPorta was graded out as the best receiving tight end in the Big Ten last season. His production didn’t really ever fluctuate at Iowa even amidst changing quarterbacks and every single defense knowing he was the main target in the passing game.

Up next for LaPorta is the NFL Combine where he will test among some of the top prospects ahead of this year’s draft. His day will be Saturday, March 4, when the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends work out for NFL teams and scouts in Indianapolis.

Currently finding himself anywhere in the mid-to-late second round to the third round, LaPorta has a chance to increase his draft stock even more this week.

His hands are there and the ability to work the middle of the field is present. At Iowa he was often asked to line up in a traditional tight end position and also split out wide which showcased his versatility. All eyes for LaPorta come down to the 40-yard dash, which will be what teams are eager to see.

More!

NFL Network, CBS Sports high on Lukas Van Ness entering 2023 NFL Combine

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire