Iowa Tight End Sam LaPorta Will Serve as Hawkeyes’ Emergency Quarterback in Music City Bowl

Quarterback play has been a subject of debate for each Kentucky and Iowa within the lead-up to the Music Metropolis Bowl this Saturday. 

UK can be with out celebrity Will Levis, because the second-year Wildcat has opted out to arrange for the NFL Draft. No QB was named starter upon the discharge of Kentucky’s depth chart on Monday, although true freshman Destin Wade is anticipated to open the sport underneath heart.

The Hawkeyes are in a considerably comparable scenario, as a third-stringer will take heart stage at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. 

Spencer Petras — who began final season’s Citrus Bowl loss to the Cats — is out after having shoulder surgical procedure to restore an damage that was suffered within the final recreation of the common season in opposition to Nebraska. 

Standard backup Alex Padilla has since entered the switch portal, which means simply two QBs can be accessible for coach Kirk Ferentz. In a contest between a pair of freshmen, redshirter Joe Labas earned the nod over Carson Might. 

Be taught extra about Labas and what he is bringing to the desk right here.

It is not a super scenario for a workforce that averaged 17.4 points-per-game throughout the common season, the Tenth-lowest mark in Division I. Whereas it is unsure how Labas will carry out, one other fascinating storyline has shaped surrounding a possible QB possibility if issues go awry for the Hawkeyes. 

Senior tight finish Sam LaPorta was seen taking reps on the quarterback spot throughout Iowa’s observe in Nashville on Tuesday. He later confirmed to reporters that if Labas and Might have been each unable to go, he would play the function of emergency QB on Saturday. 

“I feel emergency is the important thing phrase there,” he stated. 

Throughout his 4 years in Iowa Metropolis, LaPorta has hauled in 148 receptions, the Thirteenth-most in program historical past. These catches have resulted in simply 5 profession touchdowns for the Highland, Illinois native. He had a profession 12 months in 2021, amassing 670 yards on 53 grabs, each of which led the Large Ten. 

In Iowa’s Citrus Bowl loss to UK, LaPorta garnered a career-high 122 reception yards, together with a 36-yard landing reception that gave the Hawkeyes a lead within the fourth quarter. 

LaPorta is making a return from damage this weekend, as he suffered a torn meniscus within the first quarter of the Hawkeyes win over Minnesota on Nov. 19. After getting his meniscus scoped a few days after the damage occurred, the 6-foot-4, 249-pounder is now 5 weeks faraway from surgical procedure and is already prepped to take the sector for what might be his closing time in an Iowa uniform. 

The previous 3-star recruit was not too long ago named as one of many prime 5 tight finish prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft by Professional Soccer Focus, projecting him to fall as a second or third-rounder. It is anticipated that he’ll make the leap to the professionals following the Music Metropolis Bowl. 

The one query is…will he get to point out off his pristine abilities as a decent finish? Or will coach Ferentz have to interrupt the glass and ship the large man underneath heart? 

“I nonetheless hope I’m enjoying tight finish on Saturday,” LaPorta stated.

Kickoff between the Wildcats and Hawkeyes is about for midday EST on Dec. 31. The sport will air on ABC.

Kentucky linebacker Jacquez Jones is able to lay all of it on the road in his closing recreation as a Wildcat. Extra on the tremendous senior right here.

Kentucky’s Music Metropolis Bowl Depth Chart might be discovered right here.

Kentucky’s switch portal tracker might be discovered right here.

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