Joey Porter Jr. praises Penn State for NFL preparedness
Joey Porter Jr. met with the media on Thursday ahead of his NFL Combine workout in Indianapolis. And the former Nittany Lion cornerback was effusive in his praise for the Penn State home he’d made the past four years.
Expected to end the program’s drought among all defensive backs chosen in the NFL Draft, none ever taken in the first round, Porter Jr. has climbed as high as No. 6 overall in some mocks, with a pick in the teens also possible according to some prognosticators.
But, according to Porter Jr., that potential wouldn’t be on the cusp of realization without the influence of Penn State head coach James Franklin and cornerbacks assistant coach Terry Smith through his time in the program.
“I feel like they’ve told me everything,” Porter Jr. said. “I know I came in as a young guy, not really knowing a lot. And (Franklin) just took me under his wing. Him and Coach Terry just showed me the ropes and I feel like without their help and their counsel, I wouldn’t be here right now. So shout out to them.”
Moment realized for Joey Porter Jr.
Describing himself as a “physical press corner,” Porter Jr. racked up postseason All-American nods for his performance in 2022. Despite missing time late in the season due to an appendectomy, including Penn State’s Rose Bowl appearance, he finished with 11 pass breakups, second only to Kalen King on the Nittany Lion defense. He also tallied 21 tackles, a quarterback hurry, and a fumble recovery.
That any of it came to fruition last season was a product of some tough love from his parents, though. Acknowledging that he was hoping to take his shot at the NFL following his redshirt sophomore season in 2021, Porter Jr. pointed to a tough conversation as the impetus to return to Penn State.
“It definitely took some time coming in as a young freshman, not knowing everything, thinking I know everything. It took a couple of years, but it was great years that I needed,” Porter Jr. said. “I wanted to leave last year but it was hard. I had a hard conversation with my parents and they told me I wasn’t ready. And I took that and listened to them because my dad’s been there before. So, just honing in on my skills, getting more in depth with the playbook, and really watching film.”
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Next steps
This weekend, Porter Jr. is determined to make sure he emerges as the top available cornerback in the draft in the eyes of NFL scouts.
And, at the top of his agenda is to demonstrate that he can play at the speed necessary to excel in the league, an area he feels still needs proving.
“My game speed. I feel like people don’t think I’m that fast,” Porter Jr. said. “So that’s why I’m here, to show people that I can really fly.”
In addition to what he is aiming to show this weekend, Porter Jr. also pointed to his ability to make more plays on the ball as something he could have improved upon last season.
