George Kittle knows a thing or 2 about succeeding in the NFL following a lengthy career at Iowa.

For a time, Kittle was the best tight end in the world. He’s still high on that list, too. The 4-time pro bowler totaled 765 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

Kittle is one of many great tight ends in the NFL from Iowa, right alongside TJ Hockenson and Noah Fant. In this year’s NFL Draft, the Lions may have just added No. 4.

Sam LaPorta is already shining in NFL camps, and is projected by many to be the next great NFL tight end out of Iowa City.

Kittle thinks LaPorta will do well in Year 1 in Detroit. He heaped a ton of praise LaPorta’s way this past week:

“Just watching him work out, the way he moves, he’s got a great forward lean, great burst out of his breaks, great hands and he’s eager, too,” Kittle said, via The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman. “Sam’s gonna be just fine. He’s gonna make some big plays this year.”

LaPorta was not a touchdown machine at Iowa like Kittle is in the NFL, but he did rack up some impressive receiving numbers. The 6-4, 250 pound TE totaled 657 yards and 1 touchdown last season for the Hawkeyes.

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