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Joey Porter Jr. opens up on possibility of being drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko03/02/23

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(Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Former Penn State star Joey Porter Jr. has the possibility to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL, should the team draft him next month.

Porter would follow in the footsteps of his father, a Steelers legend. Plus, Porter Jr. wouldn’t be too far from college and would not have to leave the state.

Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, Porter Jr. talked about the potential of suiting up in black and gold.

“I think it would probably mean a lot for me and my family, being in the Pittsburgh area for a little bit now,” Porter said. “Staying at home would mean a lot.”

Porter Sr. was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft out of Colorado State. He played with the team through the 2006 season before stints with the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals through 2011.

He won Super Bowl XL with the Steelers and the family legacy could continue, should the Steelers go for a cornerback.

Porter Jr. discussed being one of the top defensive backs in the 2023 NFL Draft class.

“I feel like I’m CB1 for a reason,” Porter said. “I feel like I’m the best corner here, so I’m just here to really show my talents and prove why.”

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Some NFL mock drafts have the Steelers’ rival, the Baltimore Ravens, selecting Porter Jr. in the first round. But it’s not like the former Nittany Lion wouldn’t mind playing elsewhere in the AFC North.

“I really never had no ill will toward Baltimore,” Porter said. “That was probably more of my dad and since his whole rivalry with them. I just love the game of football, so if I end up there, that would be a blessing.”

Porter Jr. finished his college career with 113 total tackles, 86 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, 20 pass deflections and one fumble recovery.

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As a member of the Class of 2019, Porter Jr. was a four-star recruit out of Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall recruit in the state, the No. 25 cornerback prospect in the class and the No. 252 overall prospect in the class.