IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa senior tight end Sam LaPorta was named the Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year to highlight Iowa’s offensive honors on all-conference teams. The Big Ten announced the Offensive Awards on Wednesday.
LaPorta was named a first-team All-Big Ten by both league coaches and the media after being named to the third-team as a junior. LaPorta is also one of three tight ends nominated as finalists for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the nation’s top tight ends.
Real life running back Kaleb Johnson received honorable mentions from both coaches and the media, while sophomore offensive lineman Mason Richman received an honorable mention from Big Ten coaches.
LaPorta leads Iowa in both receiving and receiving yards, totaling 53 receptions for 601 yards and one touchdown. LaPorta was injured in the first quarter of the Minnesota win and did not play against Nebraska.
LaPorta’s career totals include 148 receptions for 1,730 yards to finish 15th in career receiving yardage. Among tight ends, LaPorta ranks first in career receptions and second in reception yards behind Marv Cook.
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Johnson leads the team in rushing with 142 attempts for 762 yards and six touchdowns. Johnson’s yardage sets a freshman record for rushing yards and he surpassed 100 rushing yards in three games.
Johnson was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week following his performance in Iowa’s away win at Purdue. Johnson ran 22 times for 200 yards at Purdue, including a 75-yard touchdown rush. He also surpassed 100 rushing yards against Nevada and Nebraska. Johnson also averaged 25 yards on 13 kickoff returns.
Richman started all 12 games in left tackle as a veteran on Iowa’s young offensive line. He has 21 career starts, all on the left. A true freshman in 2020, he saw action in three games and could still wear the redshirt.
Senior defenseman Kaevon Merriweather, who received honorable mentions from both coaches and the media, was named a recipient of Iowa’s Sportsmanship Award.
Merriweather, a senior, has started every game and ranks second on the team with three interceptions. He has 47 tackles and scored a defensive touchdown with a fumble return in Iowa’s win at Rutgers. He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his game against the Scarlet Knights.
Iowa (7-5, 5-4) will find out its bowl goal on Sunday. The Hawkeyes are awaiting their 20th bowl invitation in the last 24 seasons under Moon Family head football coach Kirk Ferentz.
