Joey Porter Jr. picks up second All-American nod
Joey Porter Jr.’s collection of postseason honors grew again on Friday afternoon. Announced via press release, the Nittany Lions’ redshirt junior cornerback was named a Football Writers Association of America second-team All-American.
The nod follows the Thursday announcement that Porter Jr. had also been selected as a second-team Walter Camp All-American, as well as a first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the conference media and coaches earlier this month.
The distinction for Porter Jr. comes despite an onset of appendicitis late in the season that forced him out of action for games against Maryland and Rutgers. He would return for the Nittany Lions’ senior day game against Michigan State on Nov. 26, but for only 10 defensive snaps.
Opting to call it a career with the Nittany Lions after that, announcing he wouldn’t participate in the Rose Bowl, Porter Jr. still elicited the praise and admiration of Penn State head coach James Franklin.
“I’m proud of him,” said Franklin on Sunday evening. “And for him to be able to fight and battle and try to come back as quickly as he did from his medical situation, which was the appendicitis during the season, and do everything he possibly could to try to get back, I think that was very telling on his commitment to his teammates and his commitment to this program and university. So I’m proud of him and we’re going to be there to support him every step of the way.”
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Next steps for Porter Jr.
The onslaught of postseason honors for Porter Jr. is likely just the beginning of what’s expected to be a big offseason. Projected as one of the first cornerbacks off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft, he’s also projecting as a first round pick.
In his final season of college ball, he accumulated 11 pass breakups, second only to Kalen King at Penn State. He also notched 21 tackles, a quarterback hurry, and a fumble recovery for the Nittany Lions.
“You guys have seen him physically. He’s got a lot of physical tools that most corners do not have,” Franklin said. “He just kept getting better within our program. From the strength and conditioning perspective, from a technique and fundamental perspective, from an overall football perspective. Terry Smith did a phenomenal job with him.”
