Friday, January 13, 2023

2023 NFL Draft Prospect CB Joey Porter

Joey Porter:

Scouting Reports:










Articles:

Lions' 2023 Draft Wants (FIRST ROUND - CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  Porter is the son of former NFL linebacker Joey Porter. Although not as prolific of a playmaker as Witherspoon or Gonzalez, the Penn State product would be a worthwhile selection for Detroit at No. 18.) (4-27-23):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-2023-draft-wants

2023 NFL Draft: Best research stats from notable prospects (Joey Porter Jr.'s No Fly Zone - Purdue entered its opening-day fray against Penn State with a game plan: target Joey Porter Jr. early and often. It did not work. The son of the four-time Pro Bowl linebacker with the same name, Porter was targeted 14 times against the Boilermakers, per PFF. He broke up a school-record six of them in one of the best displays by a cornerback last season. Opponents got the memo. He was targeted a total of 16 times over his final nine games played, charting five more pass breakups. For the season, he led the Power 5 with a 40.0 forced incompletion percentage. Should he hear his name called on April 27, he would become the first Penn State defensive back selected in the first round in the Common Draft Era.) (4-26-23):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-best-research-stats-from-notable-prospects

The Lions have already overhauled their secondary. More help is coming this week (Even if the Lions decide to go another direction with the pick -- defensive lineman and even quarterback are also under consideration at No. 6, depending on which prospects fall out of the top five -- they should still get another crack at an elite cornerback prospect at No. 18. Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. and Maryland’s Deonte Banks should both go in that range.) (4-26-23):  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/04/lions-seem-destined-to-draft-cornerback-even-if-its-not-devon-witherspoon.html

2023 NFL Draft Week Rumors Wednesday (For a lot of the draft process, the consensus top-three cornerback prospects were Illinois' Devon Witherspoon, Oregon's Christian Gonzalez and Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. However, there are teams that differ from that after finishing off their organizational draft meetings. Some franchises have Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes as the third corner behind Witherspoon and Gonzalez. Witherspoon is cemented as the top corner with Gonzalez a lock behind him, but some teams feel Forbes is a better player than Porter. While Forbes is skinny, he is extremely fast and possesses phenomenal ball skills and excellent instincts. Some teams that need corner help will pass on Porter because he is viewed as a press-man only corner and not a good fit for teams that like to play zone or off-man coverage. Hence, don't be shocked if Forbes goes ahead of Porter tomorrow night. The consensus has been to project the Washington Commanders to take a cornerback in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, which is definitely a strong possibility. Washington loves Illinois' Devon Witherspoon, but knows he will be long gone. Oregon's Christian Gonzalez could also be gone by pick No. 16, but if he makes it there, the Commanders could easily end the fall. Sources say that Washington likes Mississippi State's Emmanuel Forbes more than Joey Porter Jr. Forbes is a candidate at for the Commanders with the 16th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.) (4-26-23):  https://walterfootball.com/nflhotpress/article/2023-NFL-Draft-Week-Rumors-Wednesday

2023 NFL Draft props: Teams would be silly to let Joey Porter Jr. slide out of the top 20 (4-26-23):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/04/2023-nfl-draft-joey-porter-jr-odds-top-20

NFL draft CB preview: 2 could go top 10 for fourth straight year (There is no consensus on the No. 3 cornerback in the draft, and several others have a chance to go in Round 1. Porter is the son of ex-NFL star Joey Porter, Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes returned six interceptions for touchdowns in his three seasons, and he and Maryland’s Deonte Banks ran 4.35-second 40s at the NFL combine. Turner, the fastest cornerback at the combine (4.26 seconds), should come off the board early on Day 2, Kansas State’s Julius Brents has incredible length for the position, Miami’s Tyrique Stevenson is a physical press-man corner while Utah’s Clark Phillips III projects as a slot defender.) (4-23-23):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/04/23/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-cornerbacks-2023-rankings-devon-witherspoon/70143298007/

2023 NFL Draft: Pro comparisons and analytical team fits for top cornerback prospects (Joey Porter Jr. (PRO COMPARISON: Xavier Rhodes):  My models that are based on computer vision profile Porter as the most likely cornerback in this class to be "above average or elite" in press-man coverage. This is driven by the long CB's ability to cause disruptive contact at the college level. (Yes, there is a difference between contact and disruptive contact.) Porter posted the highest forced incompletion rate (40.0 percent) of any Power Five corner since Pro Football Focus started tracking the metric in 2014. Another juicy PFF tidbit: Porter was the only player to allow one or fewer pass plays of 15-plus yards while also forcing 10-plus completions. Computer-vision metrics tracking body mechanics show physicality and coverage traits comparable to those of Rhodes.  TEAM FIT: New England Patriots.  While New England finished last season at eighth in passing yards per attempt allowed, the Patriots' defense ranked 21st on third down and 22nd in the red zone. Porter's physicality would be a real help in those latter two areas. Las Vegas and Washington also stick out as strong fits, with both teams having selections in Porter's potential draft range.) (4-18-23):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-pro-comparisons-and-analytical-team-fits-for-top-cornerback-prosp

10 thoughts on the 2023 NFL draft with 10 days to go (Surprise fallers - As we sniff around for draft info and attempt to sort the smoke from the fire, draft analysts tend to hear some common themes. One of them is players we overrate in our projections. The three most common names I hear in reference to prospects that the media has slotted too high in mocks:  Those first two jibe with my own evaluations. The third does not: Penn State CB Joey Porter.) (4-18-23):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-predictions-picks/

2023 NFL Draft cornerback rankings: Christian Gonzalez the best of a talented group (3. Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State, 6-3, 198, Junior - Overview: Porter was born in Bakersfield, Ca. but grew up in western Pennsylvania with his father starring at outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While his name may have drawn interest from recruiters, the precocious cornerback’s frame and athleticism demanded their own attention, as he emerged as a four-star recruit fielding offers all over the country. Porter wound up redshirting his first season at Penn State but earned a starting role out of fall camp a year later, ultimately leaving the Nittany Lions with 31 starts over the past three seasons. In part because opponents went out of their way to avoid challenging him, Porter is entering the NFL with less-than-staggering career-production, including 114 tackles, 21 passes defensed and just one interception.  Strengths: Porter overwhelms receivers at the release and at the catch point with his sheer size, which includes 34" arms. Porter is not only exceptionally long, he’s ultra-physical, bullying receivers out of the gate and harassing them throughout the route. Porter's initial punch to the chest of receivers throws their timing off immediately. He has quick, strong hands and rare upper-body strength for the position, as his 17 repetitions on the bench press at the Combine show.  He's a surprisingly lithe athlete for a man of his size and strength, with smooth acceleration and efficient change of direction. As one might guess, Porter doesn’t shirk from run support, aggressively attacking would-be blockers and using his long arms to lasso ballcarriers out of the reach of most cornerbacks. He worked hard prior to this season to cut down on the penalty flags and saw them drop from 10 in 2021 to three in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.    Concerns: For a three-year starter and NFL legacy, Porter still plays the game with a slightly frenetic style, attacking the ball in flight like he’s preparing to spike it in a beach volleyball tournament and wrestling with ballcarriers rather than delivering clean, forceful tackles. He ended up with just one interception among 21 career pass breakups. A quality athlete but simple physics mean that Porter’s long legs need more space and time to change directions and, like most tall cornerbacks, Porter is susceptible to double-moves, surrendering short windows accurate quarterbacks can exploit, though he’s fast and long enough to often recover. Bottom Line: I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for NFL legacies like Porter, not only due to the obvious athletic genes inherited from his father, but how the experience of growing up amidst the challenges and expectations of being a professional athlete can help ease the transition rookies face in the NFL. Porter isn’t a fit for everyone — projecting best in a physical press scheme — but I see a quality starter who might only need to turn a few more deflections into interceptions to generate Pro Bowl accolades.  Grade: First round) (4-19-23):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-draft-cornerback-rankings-christian-gonzalez-the-best-of-a-talented-group

Top 10 CBs in the 2023 NFL Draft: Devon Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez Fight for the Crown (4. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  After his dominant six-deflection showing against Purdue in Week 1, Joey Porter Jr. only added five more deflections for the rest of the season. That stalled production is a question mark on the surface, but more often than not, he simply dissuaded teams from even trying him in coverage.  Porter doesn’t always play to his testing explosiveness and speed, and he can be a bit too hasty when it comes to extending out of his stance. But with his proactive physicality, length, fluidity, technique, and ball skills, Porter can lock down wide receivers early in reps.) (4-17-23):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-cbs-in-the-2023-nfl-draft/

2023 NFL Draft Rankings: Sam Monson’s top 20 cornerbacks, including Joey Porter Jr. at No. 2 (FIRST-ROUND TALENT - 2. Joey Porter Jr.:  This is where my rankings will deviate the most from the consensus. I am very high on Joey Porter Jr.’s ability to be an elite NFL player but also far lower on Christian Gonzalez than most. Porter is clearly the best press-man cornerback in this draft, and that’s what he was asked to do most often, but you can see a good feel for zone coverage in his game, too. If he can develop that side of his game amid more exposure to those coverages in the NFL, he could end up a star. Porter allowed just 15 catches in 10 games in 2022.) (4-13-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-cornerback-rankings-sam-monson-devon-witherspoon-joey-porter-jr

2023 NFL Draft: Trevor Sikkema's top 5 players at each defensive position (4. Joey Porter Jr.:  Deonte Banks and Joey Porter Jr. also thrive in press-man coverage. Porter measured in at the combine with some of the longest arms the event has ever seen at the position, and Banks tested like a first-round athlete. Some consistency concerns exist for both, but when the technique is right, they can be blankets in coverage.) (4-13-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-five-players-defense-2023-nfl-draft-sikkema

2023 NFL Draft: Which cornerback should the Lions take with the sixth overall pick? (2. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State - Why he fits: Porter is a big, hyper-aggressive cornerback with a wingspan longer than some offensive tackles. He’s becoming more nuanced with the little things in coverage, but he is a press-coverage eraser at heart.) (4-12-23):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-detroit-lions-cornerback-devon-witherspoon-christian-gonzalez/

2023 NFL Draft: Joey Porter Jr. scouting report (4-11-23):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-joey-porter-jr-scouting-report/

14 draft prospects for 2023 who have NFL bloodlines (Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.:  Porter's father, Joey Sr., was the outside linebackers coach for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers from 2015-2018, and he previously played 13 seasons for the Steelers, Dolphins and Cardinals. Porter's cousin, Jason Gildon, played 10 years for the Steelers and one season for the Jaguars. Another cousin, Larry Birdine Jr., played three seasons in the NFL.) (4-11-23):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-prospect-bloodlines-lamar-jacksons-cousin-ladainian-tomlinsons-nephew-more-nfl-connections/

2023 NFL Draft preview: 5 cornerbacks that could interest the Lions (3. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State (6-2 1/2, 193, 4.46 40.):  A four-year player, he played four games as a 2019 freshman and eight in the 2020 Covid season. He started all 13 games in 2021 and 10 in 2022.  Bottom line: Porter inherited some of his father's football instincts.) (4-9-23):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-preview-5-cornerbacks-lions-gonzalez-witherspoon-porter

Who Will Be 1st CB Taken In 2023 NFL Draft? (DON’T FORGET ABOUT: JOEY PORTER JR. - I’m surprised to witness Joey Porter Jr. trailing Gonzalez and Witherspoon by such a large margin. When I say Porter possesses rare measurables, I do mean rare. Porter’s 34-inch arms and 80.875-inch wingspan are ranked as 99th percentile measurables when compared to all-time cornerbacks. You can’t teach length and defensive coordinators will see an intriguing moldable piece of clay.  Porter experiences the occasional technical lapse on film, but his surreal length and physicality often serve as an equalizer. Porter utilizes rare length to suffocate receivers at the line of scrimmage. Porter has improved his footwork and patience over time and flashed a more complete product throughout 2022.  Porter possesses the highest ceiling of any cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft.) (4-7-23):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/nfl-draft-2023-first-cb-drafted/

2023 NFL Draft: The top 11 cornerbacks (3. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State (Height: 6′ 2½” (96th percentile) Weight: 193 (52nd), 40-Yard Dash: 4.46 (64th), 10-Yard Split: 1.50 (82nd), Bench Press: 17 reps (73rd), Vertical Jump: 35″ (36th), Broad Jump: 129″ (87th), Wingspan: 80⅞” (97th), Arm Length: 34″ (98th), Hand Size: 10″ (95th)) - Bio: The son of former Steelers, Dolphins, and Cardinals edge-rusher Joey Porter, who played in the NFL from 1999 through 2011, made four Pro Bowls, and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2000s team, Joey Porter Jr. was a first-team all-state selection at North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pennsylvania before committing to the Nittany Lions.  Over four collegiate seasons, Porter had one sack, five pressures, 101 tackles, 24 stops, and allowed 72 catches on 120 targets for 783 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception, 15 pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 95.2. Porter played 1,387 snaps at outside cornerback, 230 in the box, 44 along the defensive line, 30 in the slot, and 13 at free safety.  Stat to Know: Porter aligned in press coverage on 39% of his 2022 snaps, the third-highest total among cornerbacks on this list — Maryland’s Deonte Banks ranked highest with 45%.  Strengths: Porter is a natural in man coverage, and it’s not just on solo boundary stuff — as he showed on this deflection against Northwestern in Week 5, Porter is quite able to break off against a short crosser in Cover-1 and just demolish it. You’d better run that pick concept correctly and get him out of the way if you want the play to succeed.  And if you want your cornerback to smother a receiver in man coverage… well, this rep against Purdue’s Mershawn Rice is teach tape. There are times when Porter a bit more vulnerable in zone, or he’ll give up short completions that are almost automatic in the scheme, but his 2022 zone defense tape is where the development really shows up.  On this deep deflection against Minnesota in Week 8, Porter took receiver Daniel Jackson all the way up the rail on the right boundary in Cover-3, and there was no way Jackson was moving Porter away from his outside position through the vertical route. Porter has a way of smothering receivers with that aggressive demeanor and developed technique, and this is an excellent example. If you were to change the unform and tell me that this was a Richard Sherman rep from about 2012, I’d be inclined to believe you. And this deflection against Central Michigan’s Finn Hogan in Week 4 shows something that would have to come to bear were Porter to be considered a top prospect — the ability to charge and recover in off-zone coverage. It’s great to plaster guys all over the field when you have that ability, but NFL teams will challenge you to play off-coverage with route combinations and reduced splits, and you’d better be ready for it.  Weaknesses: Porter’s NFL coaches will want to work with him on advanced route combinations, because there are times where his aggressiveness will get the better of him in those circumstances, and he’ll be out of position to get to the ball. Opposing offenses also deal with him by throwing screens and picks at him, and that doesn’t always work in Porter’s favor. This screen against Michigan in Week 7 is one example.  The best cornerbacks and cornerback coaches will talk about staying in phase and not chasing plays. Porter is better with this than he used to be, but there are still coaching points to consider.  At the same time, even if Porter is a step off at any point in the route, his recovery speed and closure to the ball combine to make a great adaptative strategy. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. got an 11-yard catch on the crosser here, but it wasn’t a pleasant experience — and Harrison had to throw everything he had at Porter at the angle to get the ball in the first place. Regarding Porter’s low interception totals, I don’t think it’s an indication of terrible ball skills. I think he’s so focused on breaking up the play, that he’ll forget to go after the ball. The same was said of Sauce Gardner, and Sauce Gardner turned into a pretty good NFL cornerback in his 2022 rookie campaign.  Conclusion: Porter obviously breaks the matrix when it comes to measurables — when you have a cornerback with a wingspan that outdoes a lot of offensive tackles, that’ll get coaches excited. What I think will make Porter a plus NFL starter has a lot more to do with development than traits. He’s still got some work to do with the spatial stuff, but the improvement seen in 2022 augurs well for his future.  NFL Comparison: Jaycee Horn. The Panthers selected Horn with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 draft, and he’s become a lockdown cornerback regardless of coverage concept. While I like to go into the Wayback Machine for a lot of these NFL comps, I think that Porter and Horn have a lot of the same attributes in the sense that they can become scheme-transcendent defenders at the highest level when a lot of comparable players are stuck on one side of the man/zone debate.) (4-1-23):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-cornerbacks-devon-witherspoon-christian-gonzalez/

Lions' 2023 NFL Draft First-Round Big Board (CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  Porter is a good athlete with NFL pedigree, as he’s the son of a former pro (longtime Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter). He’s physical, sometimes to a fault, and is a good man coverage corner. If Detroit passes on corner at sixth overall, he should be in play later in the round.) (4-1-23):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-2023-draft-first-round-big-board

2023 NFL draft big board: Cornerbacks (1. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  Porter Jr. plays cornerback the way you would expect the son of a Pro Bowl linebacker to play: physical, confident, smart and fast. If he can learn to avoid illegal contact and hold less (it’s a big issue on film) on route breaks, Porter is a high-end island corner as well as a great tackler right away.  Projection: Top 20 overall) (3-24-23):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-big-board-cornerbacks-positional-ranking/

2023 NFL Draft: Defensive back prospect superlatives (BEST PRESS CORNERBACK: JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE - Porter is a pterodactyl at the line of scrimmage with 34-inch arms that pack a serious punch. On 106 press snaps last season, Porter allowed only eight catches on 17 targets for 68 yards with seven forced incompletions. Something tells me he’s going to a scheme where that 106 number at least triples next season.) (3-24-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-defensive-back-prospect-superlatives-2023-nfl-draft

NFL Draft 2023: Fowler’s Top 10 CB Big Board (3. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  Porter Jr. progressing into the top corner in this draft class 3-4 years down the road wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. An uber-athletic talent that checks off every single box you look for on the outside, it’s just about putting it all together. Teams have effort concerns, but for me, it was just too easy at times for the former Nittany Lion. Facing ‘Xs’ on Sundays will showcase his elite coverage ability. ) (3-20-23):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/nfl-draft-2023-cb-big-board-fowler/

TWENTYMAN: 6 pro days to watch this week (Penn State, Fri. March 24 - Who to watch: Who is the top cornerback in this draft class? Is it Christian Gonzalez of Oregon? What about Illinois' Devon Witherspoon? Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. is certainly in the mix after a really good Combine at his size (6-2, 193). Porter will look to make another good impression in front of teams at his pro day and make an argument to be the first corner off the board next month.) (3-19-23):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-6-pro-days-to-watch-this-week-young-stroud-porter

2023 NFL Draft rankings: The top-15 CBs in this year’s class (Tier 2 — Likely to go in the first round, but not at 6.  Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State), 6-foot-2 1⁄2 , 193 pounds:  Initially, I had not been as high on Porter Jr. as many others during the draft process. He is no doubt an impressive physical talent and plenty of teams are going to salivate over his size and stature, but the tape shows a lot of inconsistencies. I love the way he uses his hands to jam receivers on the boundary, and it feels like trying to complete the deep ball on him could be the plot of the next Mission Impossible movie. But I don’t love how easily he gets taken advantage of on inside releases, and I wish he would show that same physical dominance at the line of scrimmage as he does against outside releases, rather than giving up the inside for free.  Porter Jr. did impress me at the combine with some very good numbers, especially for his size. He did not participate in agility testing, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise because transitioning and changing directions quickly isn’t exactly his bread and butter, but he performed well in other areas, including a 4.46 40-yard dash with a 1.50 10-yard split and a broad jump in the 87th percentile.  One thing that Porter Jr. can improve on at the next level is his tendency to latch onto receivers. He is often grabby at the top of routes and was called for 13 penalties in the past two years.  How he fits: Physical press-man corner. Should compete for a starting job Day 1 and has the potential to be a shutdown corner in the future.  Round grade: Top-20 pick) (3-18-23):  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/3/18/23630400/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-top-15-cornerbacks-detroit-lions-devon-witherspoon-christian-gonzalez

2023 NFL Draft: Every top-10 cornerback's highest-graded season (JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE (Big board rank: 16/CB3, Best PFF grade: 73.2 - 2022, 2022 Coverage grade: 77.4, 2022 Run-defense grade: 53.2)) (3-10-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-every-top-10-cornerbacks-highest-graded-season

2023 NFL Combine: Performance grades for the top 20 draft prospects (CB JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE (PFF Big Board Rank: 16, Grade: A):  For his 34-inch arms alone, Porter's grade could be an “A.” Then he threw up an impressive 17 reps on the bench with those insanely long arms. He also ran an official 4.46-second 40-yard dash with a 35-inch vertical and a 10-foot-9 broad. Porter was a big winner on the week to strengthen the top of this cornerback class.) (3-6-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-combine-grades-top-20-prospects

NFL Draft Combine Rumor Mill: 2023 NFL Draft Top 10 Lacks Consensus (Another player who was viewed as very likely to end up as top-10 choice was Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski. Including Carter and Skoronski, that leaves four spots, and a survey of team sources by WalterFootball.com returned was a variety of names as prospoectw who teams thought could occupy those remaining spots. They were: Texas running back Bijan Robinson, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson, Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., USC wide receiver Jordan Addison  A number of team sources said that they did not believe either Gonzalez or Porter were top-10 talents, but both could rise during the workout portion of the draft process. There are four teams that could use cornerback help picking in the back half of the top 10, and corner is a premium position.) (3-5-23):  https://walterfootball.com/nflhotpress/article/2023-NFL-Draft-Top-10-Lacks-Consensus

Joey Porter Jr. Feels He Can Impact Secondary Like Sauce Gardner (3-5-23):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/porter-jr-compares-himself-to-sauce-gardner

Roundtable: Were Campbell's QB Comments a Smokescreen? (3.) Is there a player you are certain the Lions will regret passing on?  In terms of players the Lions could regret passing on, I believe Joey Porter Jr. could be one of the better cornerbacks. The Lions may regret passing on him.) (3-5-23):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/roundtable-examining-campbells-qb-comment

What They're Saying: Top Draft Prospects Learn Lions Culture (Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr.:  "I would say my family really motivated me. Just really a legacy standpoint for me. My dad's been there before. He's done it. I want to do the same thing and just be better. That's the main thing. He always told me he wants me to be better than him, so that's what I'm gonna strive to do and that's why I'm here.") (3-5-23):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/what-theyre-saying-lions-top-draft-prospects

Joey Porter Jr. shared a wholesome moment with dad Joey Porter at 2023 NFL Combine (3-4-23):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/03/joey-porter-jr-nfl-combine-joey-porter-steelers

NFL combine: Winners and losers from DB workouts (Losers - Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State: From a measurement perspective, Porter and his gartanuanly long 34-inch arms were obvious winners. Working out, not so much for the Penn State stud with NFL bloodlines, especially when comparing to his cornerback contemporaries in this class. The 10-foot-9 broad is nothing to be ashamed of, however in this atomic group of athletic corners, it placed 12th. His broad jump? Tied for 18th. Look, this isn't a stock-plummeting effort; it just didn't stack up to the other perceived top corners in the class.) (3-3-23):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-combine-2023-christian-gonzalez-deonte-banks-among-winners-and-losers-in-defensive-back-group/

NFL Combine results: 12 standouts from the cornerback group (Joey Porter, CB, Penn State (6-foot-2 1/2, 193) ran a 4.46 40 then shut it down for the day.) (3-3-23):  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/3/3/23623425/2023-nfl-combine-results-12-standouts-cornerback-winners-losers

TWENTYMAN: Combine Day 3 observations (Top cornerbacks: Devon Witherspoon, Joey Porter Jr. and Christian Gonzalez are angling to be the top cornerback taken in the draft. Witherspoon isn't taking part in on-field drills.  Porter (6-2, 193) had 34-inch arms with a 35-inch vertical, 10'9'' broad jump and an unofficial 4.47-second 40.) (3-3-23):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-combine-day-3-observations-anderson-robinson-smith-njigba

What are Lions looking for in a cornerback prospect? (Porter (6-2, 194) is one of the top cornerbacks in the class. He has a high football IQ with elite size and a football pedigree with his father Joey Porter being a former player. He allowed just 15 receptions in 275 coverage snaps for 143 yards and no touchdowns this past season.) (3-3-23):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/what-are-lions-looking-for-in-a-cornerback-prospect-gonzalez-porter-witherspoon

2023 NFL Scouting Combine: What We Learned during Thursday's activities in Indianapolis (2.  Draft's CB1? Say the name Joey Porter, and it's hard not to immediately picture the Pittsburgh Steelers' brash, trash-talking, game-wrecking linebacker from a different era of football. His son, Joey Jr., is a bit of a different player, however. The Penn State cornerback is one of the most physically gifted defensive backs in the 2023 NFL Draft class. He's smaller than his father was by a few inches and more than a few pounds -- and Junior said he has more of his mother's personality.  "She's more laid back and poised," Porter Jr. said. "She likes to smile a lot more."  But if there's one thing the younger Porter shares with his talented father, it's confidence. On Thursday, he made sure everyone knew where he ranked himself among his 2023 draft peers.  "I feel like I'm CB1 for a reason," Porter Jr. said. "I feel like I'm the best corner here. I'm just here to show my talents and prove why." Naturally, there has been a lot of speculation about Porter Jr. landing with the Steelers, the team with which his father was a player for eight seasons and a coach (under Mike Tomlin) for five more, from 2014 through '18. Pittsburgh figures to attack cornerback this offseason. Might we see another Joey Porter in black and gold?  "I think it [would] probably mean a lot to me and my family," Porter said. "We've been in the Pittsburgh area for a little bit now, so staying at home would mean a lot." -- Eric Edholm) (3-2-23):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-scouting-combine-what-we-learned-during-thursday-s-activities-in-indian

Joey Porter Jr. heeds famous father's advice to become top NFL Draft prospect (3-2-23):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/joey-porter-jr-heeds-famous-fathers-advice-to-become-top-nfl-draft-prospect

2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 25 Prospects Heading Into NFL Combine Include Jalen Carter, Brian Branch, and Bijan Robinson (13. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State:  In an impressive cornerback class, Joey Porter Jr. has established himself near the top. The Penn State product is a physical force in all phases of the game, with a combination of size and eye-popping athleticism allowing him to fly to the ball — or ball carrier. A true size, length, and physicality triple threat.) (3-1-23):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-big-board-top-25-2023/

Cornerbacks for Lions to Watch at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine (Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  Another of the top prospects, Porter is an intriguing prospect, as the son of a former pro linebacker (Joey Porter).   Porter Jr. has been rock solid for the Nittany Lions throughout the last two seasons, and could be a fit for the Lions with the No. 18 pick.  A downside to Porter’s game is his lack of turnovers created, as he had just one interception. He has Penn State’s record for pass breakups in a game, but also was penalized more than the other top prospects at his position. He has a tendency to grab at the top of routes, which led to his penalties becoming an issue. Evaluating him in person will be beneficial, but there’s plenty to unpack with him on film, as well.) (2-28-23):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-2023-combine-preview-cornerbacks

NFL Combine preview: 12 CBs the Lions should be watching (Joey Porter Jr. CB, Penn State, 6-foot-2, 200:  Another highly athletic prospect with familial ties to sports, Porter is the son of Joey Porter Sr. who played linebacker for the Steelers. One of Porter’s biggest obstacles in the Lions scheme is that he allows too many free releases, relying on his athleticism to disrupt the receivers' routes. These off-coverages can lead to penalties when Porter is faced with an athletic counterpart, which he will see on a weekly basis in the NFL. The question the Lions will want to be answered is: is Penn State’s scheme to blame or is this a preferred style?) (2-28-23):  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/2/28/23615531/2023-nfl-combine-preview-12-cornerbacks-detroit-lions-watch

5 Questions We Need Answered At 2023 NFL Combine (Who is CB1?  This class of cornerbacks is one of the best we’ve seen in a long time. Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez currently stands as the top cornerback on the latest TDN100 big board, but Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. and Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon aren’t too far behind. Once the measurements (particularly arm length, wingspan, height, and weight) are in with testing numbers (40-yard dash time, vertical leap height, etc.) to follow, we’ll get a direct comparison of all of the top cornerbacks in the 2023 draft class. Once we see which of these guys is the lengthiest or fastest or most explosive, the race for the top cornerback spot in the class could and should become more clear.) (2-28-23):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/nfl-combine-2023-questions/

NFL Draft: Defensive positional rankings pre-combine (The obvious name missing is Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. There were similar concerns with Jaycee Horn coming out of South Carolina: handsy downfield in coverage and a high missed tackle rate. If Porter tests to his potential in Indianapolis this week, he is going to go early.) (2-27-23):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-2023-jalen-carter-will-anderson-jr-atop-pre-combine-list-of-best-defensive-prospects-by-position/

2023 NFL combine: Cornerback soars to top of Lions’ wish list heading into draft (CB Joey Porter, Penn State: At 6-foot-2 and nearly 200 pounds, Porter is another big cornerback who might be the most physical of the first-round prospects. He was terrific at rerouting receivers with his hands, and allowed just 68 yards on 106 snaps of press man last season according to PFF. But very much like Amani Oruwariye, another former Penn State cornerback, Porter has a habit of being too handsy as well. That drew some laundry in college, and it’ll be an even bigger problem under NFL rules. Porter will have to adapt his game to the next level. Having said that, there’s no doubting the coverage skills. In two games against Ohio State receivers like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., Porter allowed just 45 yards on 73 coverage snaps.) (2-27-23):  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/02/2023-nfl-combine-cornerback-soars-to-top-of-lions-wish-list-heading-into-draft.html

2023 NFL Draft Wilson Top 25 Big Board: Bryce Young is No. 1; a top-four QB misses the cut (6. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  Porter is long, physical and fast. His father played outside linebacker for the Steelers, and he brings that same mentality to the cornerback position. Porter didn't have an interception in '22 and only has one in the last three seasons, but he has shutdown potential -- look no further than the Ohio State game when he came as close to locking down Marvin Harrison Jr. as any human can hope to.) (2-27-23):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-top-25-big-board-bryce-young-is-no-1-a-top-four-qb-misses-the-cut/

Diving into the Detroit Lions' options in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft (Joey Porter Jr. was a force in coverage for Penn State last season, allowing just 15 receptions on 275 coverage snaps and breaking up nine passes.) (2-28-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-detroit-lions-options-first-round-2023-nfl-draft

2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Cornerback (9. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State:  Porter's not quite as physically imposing or sculpted as Witherspoon. Other than that, I view them as two very comparable cornerbacks capable of handling on-an-island duties early in their NFL careers and routinely finding the football. Porter is capable is zone, too, because of suddenness.) (2-22-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-position-rankings-cornerback

2023 NFL Draft Stock - Pre-Combine (Up - Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State:  Last week, NFL team sources told WalterFootball.com that they expect Porter to work out well during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine and think performing well could lead to Porter rising throughout the leadup to the 2023 NFL Draft. While Porter has some limitations in terms of changing direction, he is sufficiently big and fast to be a superb press-man corner. For teams that play press man, Porter will be in high demand. Hence, I have Porter as a top-16 choice in my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.) (2-21-23):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2023stock_24.php

2023 NFL Draft: Trapasso Top 25 Big Board has C.J. Stroud as top QB, edge rushers galore in pre-combine rankings (8. Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa:  Van Ness should've gotten more playing time in 2022 on Iowa's defense. It felt like every time he appeared on the field, he generated a pressure. Of course he didn't have a 100% pressure-creation rate, but with his burst, immense length, bull rush and array of counters, it feels like he can win every rep as a pass rusher. And he doesn't turn 22 until July.) (2-21-23):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-top-25-big-board-has-c-j-stroud-as-top-qb-edge-rushers-galore-in-pre-combine-rankings/

Joey Porter Jr. is a nightmare for opponents in press coverage (2-20-23):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2023/02/20/nfl-draft-joey-porter-jr-penn-state-press-coverage/

What Are Joey Porter Jr’s 4 Best NFL Team Fits? (Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. carries the potential to be the first cornerback drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound Porter is a supreme athlete. With the NFL Scouting Combine fast approaching, Porter can establish himself as the class’ CB1 with an outstanding performance, which is the expected outcome.  Porter possesses the length and physicality necessary to develop into a shutdown cornerback. He’s the perfect piece to counteract today’s high-octane passing offenses. We’ve identified Porter’s four best NFL draft fits.  DETROIT LIONS - Dan Campbell’s Lions nearly qualified for the 2022 postseason despite starting 4-7. The Lions captured victories in five of their final six contests. Expectations will be higher for the Lions in 2023, and Campbell may be entering a do-or-die campaign.  Improvement can’t be achieved without fielding a stronger passing defense. The Lions allowed 245.8 passing yards per game. Only the Minnesota Vikings (265.6) and Tennessee Titans (274.8) were less effective at combating passing attacks. The Lions own two first-round selections (No. 6 and No. 18 overall) in April. Porter will be a popular mock draft pick for the Lions at No. 18.) (2-16-23):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/joey-porter-jr-nfl-draft-raiders-patriots-cardinals-lions/

2023 Combine preview: Cornerback (3. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State, 6-2, 200:  Porter will try and throw his hat into the mix as the first corner off the board with a good Combine. He has elite size, length and speed, and excels in press man coverage. Pro Football Focus listed him as giving up one pass play of 15-plus yards in his coverage this past season. His father Joey Porter played 13 NFL seasons. Teams are going to love his combo of size, speed and athleticism.) (2-16-23):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2023-combine-preview-cornerback-witherspoon-gonzalez-porter

Bucky Brooks' top five 2023 NFL Draft prospects by position 1.0: Stroud, Young, Hooker top QB rankings (2.  Joey Porter Jr.:  This corner crop features a series of instinctive cover men with ball skills and playmaking ability.  Porter Jr. possesses the size, bloodlines (his father is indeed former All-Pro edge defender Joey Porter) and overall awareness to develop into a blue-chip cover corner in the NFL. The Penn State standout is ideally suited to play in a man-to-man scheme that enables him to challenge wideouts at the line of scrimmage with his length and feisty temperament.)  (2-16-23):  https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-top-five-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-1-0-stroud-young-hook


2023 NFL draft film room: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. (1-27-23):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-joey-porter-jr-penn-state-highlights/

2023 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 cornerback prospects (4. JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE (RS JUNIOR | 6-2, 194) (2022 PFF Grade: 73.2; Play Style: Press Corner; Initial Round Projection: 1st):  You don’t need to watch too much more than the Ohio State games the past two years to figure out why Porter is getting first-round hype. Against a litany of first-round wide receivers, Porter allowed just 45 yards on 73 coverage snaps across the two games. He erased Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. on a number of routes as well.) (1-20-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-ranking-the-top-10-cornerback-prospects

Meet 10 top prospects of 2023 draft class: What to know about Young, Stroud, Anderson, Carter (Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State - Reid's current ranking: No. 11 overall (CB1).  2022 stats: Porter had 25 tackles and 11 pass breakups this season. He allowed only 3.7 yards per passing attempt as the primary defender, the fifth-best mark in the country.  Who is Porter? The son of 13-year NFL veteran linebacker Joey Porter, he was a multisport athlete in Pennsylvania. The younger Porter was a three-star recruit after spending time at both wide receiver and defensive back in high school, and he stayed in state to suit up for the Nittany Lions. After redshirting during his first season on campus (2019), he became a key starter the following year.  But his true breakout year came in 2022, when he started at outside corner in 10 games. Despite not hauling in an interception, he contested 75.9% of the passes thrown in his direction -- the fourth-best mark in the country. A first-team All-Big Ten selection this season, Porter is likely to be the first Penn State defensive back to ever be chosen in the first round of the NFL draft. He finished his college career with 17 pass breakups and an interception.  Standout trait: His suffocating length allows him to attack wideouts at the line of scrimmage, but Porter also does a good job using it to squeeze and close throwing windows.  What's next? Porter has already announced that he will skip the Nittany Lions' matchup against Utah in the Rose Bowl and begin his preparations for the combine. -- Reid) (12-30-22):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/story/_/id/35306956/2023-nfl-draft-prospects-know-strengths-rankings-next-bryce-young-cj-stroud-levis-jalen-carter-anderson-jr-bijan-robinson

Top 10 CBs in the 2023 NFL Draft: Devon Witherspoon, Clark Phillips III Easy to Bet On (3. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  After his dominant six-deflection showing against Purdue in Week 1, Porter only added five more deflections for the rest of the season. That stalled production is a question mark on the surface, but more often than not, he simply dissuaded teams from even trying him in coverage.  Porter doesn’t quite have the pure explosiveness and speed that our top two cornerbacks have, and that’s largely what relegates him to the third spot. But with his proactive physicality, length, fluidity, technique, and ball skills, he can lock down WRs early in reps.) (12-20-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-cbs-in-the-2023-nfl-draft/

2023 NFL Draft Stock - Pre-Bowls I (Down - Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State:  While Porter has gotten a lot of media hype, NFL teams are not as high on him. He went his entire final season with zero interceptions and finished his college career with only one pick. The lack of playmaking hurts Porter with teams, and there are other corners who are getting graded above him. Some teams view Porter as more of a late first-round pick for the 2023 NFL Draft rather a top-20 talent.) (12-13-22):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2023stock_15.php

2023 NFL Draft: Joey Porter Jr. Declares for Draft (Second-Team All-Big Ten Defense - CB: Joey Porter Jr., Penn State) (12-6-22):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-joey-porter-jr-declares-for-draft

Why Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. is the best CB in the 2023 NFL draft class (12-2-22):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/joey-porter-jr-2023-nfl-draft-penn-state-draft-cornerback/

Week 13 NFL Draft Prospect Battles To Watch: Cameron Ward Duels Michael Penix Jr. (Michigan State WR Jayden Reed vs. Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.:  Jayden Reed has been up and down this year, but he’s started to find more consistency as of late. He’s up to 49 catches for 600 yards and five touchdowns on the year, and can solidify his stock with a strong season-ending showdown against potential first-round pick Joey Porter Jr.  Reed will be relied upon as Michigan State seeks an upset that would make them bowl-eligible. He has smooth separation ability and instincts, but he’ll have to fight past the physicality and length Porter will send his way.) (11-26-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-prospect-battles-to-watch-cfb-week-13-2022/

NFL scouts will have eyes on several sleepers in college football's Week 11 (We highlighted the Nittany Lions’ future first-round cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in Week 7.  His size, agility, speed and aggression are exactly what scouts are looking for in a press corner.) (11-11-22):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/nfl-scouts-will-have-eyes-on-several-sleepers-in-college-footballs-week-11

2023 NFL Draft Stock - Week 9 (Up - Joey Porter Jr., WR, Penn State:  Joey Porter Jr. is in the running to be the top cornerback prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft, and he was taking on the toughest passing attack he will see all season with quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Ohio State wide receivers.  Throughout the first half, the Buckeyes did not test Porter, but that changed midway through the second quarter. Porter tugged a receiver to keep him from pulling away, and that led to a pass interference penalty. Porter came back to fly over to the middle of the field to make a touchdown-saving tackle. Late in the fourth quarter, Penn State had too soft of coverage with too much cushion that let Marvin Harrison Jr. to get open on a slant for a critical first down. Porter drove hard to make a tackle, but missed when he dove for Harrison's ankles.  Aside from those plays, Porter was quiet, but that was a good thing because he was doing a nice job of covering his receivers, including really limiting Emeka Ebuka, and Porter ran well with Harrison when they were matched up against each other. Overall, Porter put together a quality game against Ohio State that reinforces that he has No. 1 corner potential for the NFL.) (11-1-22):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2023stock_09.php

Week 9 NFL Draft Prospect Battles To Watch Include Anthony Richardson vs. Christopher Smith (Ohio State WRs Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Julian Fleming vs. Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.:  Few cornerbacks have been more productive across the 2022 campaign than Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. Porter has 11 pass deflections to this point and has been a nightmare for quarterbacks to throw against. However, Porter hasn’t faced a test like the Ohio State passing attack. Stroud is putting together an unbelievable redshirt sophomore season, and the Buckeyes are second in the nation in points per game.  To make matters even more daunting for Porter, Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be returning from injury this week. Even if he doesn’t, Ohio State has top-tier 2024 prospects Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, along with junior Julian Fleming, who’s emerged as a big-play threat for Ryan Day’s squad.  It’s safe to say Porter will have his hands full. But this could be a massive money-making game for him if he can hold his own and maybe even impact the final score.) (10-29-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-prospect-battles-to-watch-cfb-week-9-2022/

Scouting college football Week 9: C.J. Stroud, Deuce Vaughn, more (As such, Saturday’s matchup against the Nittany Lions will be must-see scouting, especially on the few occasions that Stroud opts to challenge Penn State’s fellow future first-round pick and NFL legacy, Joey Porter, Jr.  The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Porter may rank behind safety Ji’Ayir Brown in interceptions, but he’s clearly the Nittany Lions’ top playmaker, currently leading the Big Ten (and ranking second in the entire country) with 11 pass breakups thus far this season. Long, lanky and instinctive, Porter is a nightmare for quarterbacks, corralling receivers at the line of scrimmage and shadowing them downfield.  Capable of shutting down half of the field by himself, Porter and the Nittany Lions have a chance to shatter Stroud’s Heisman and national title hopes in arguably the most scintillating "one-on-one" matchup of the day.) (10-28-22):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/scouting-college-football-week-9-c-j-stroud-deuce-vaughn-more

Top 2023 NFL Draft Prospects: Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud Heads a Talented Class (25. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State:  Penn State has plenty of potential prospects in the 2023 NFL draft, but few of them are capable of making their impact felt like Joey Porter Jr. At 6’2″ and 198 pounds, the Penn State cornerback has NFL size and plays the game with the physicality you’d expect from those proportions.  He also boasts impressive arm length, impacting the catch point with his long levers. Porter weaponizes speed and fluidity with high-level instincts to click and close on the ball with devastating ferocity.) (10-27-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-prospects/

2023 NFL Draft Stock - Week 7 (Up - Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State:  Porter was one of the top cornerback prospects entering the season, and he has only built on his resume with his strong play this year. In coverage, Porter has steadily blanketed receivers while also willingly defending the run. He looks like a future No. 1 cornerback for the next level. There is no doubt he has excellent size, speed, athleticism and instincts. But a really rare aspect Porter possess is freakish length, which will help him matchup against NFL wide receivers. Some NFL sources have alluded to the aliens in the movie "Avatar" to represent how unusually long Porter's arms are. Porter looks like a top-16 pick next April in the 2023 NFL Draft.) (10-18-22):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2023stock_07.php

CFN’s College Football Midseason All-Americans 2022 (2nd-Team Defense - CB: Joey Porter Jr., Penn State) (10-27-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/cfns-college-football-midseason-all-americans-2022/

Draft prospects to watch during the Lions bye week (Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. has been projected to the Lions in some mock drafts with one of Detroit’s two first-round picks. He’s long, physical and plays with great confidence.) (10-15-22):  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-prospects-detroit-lions-watch-list-cfb-week-7/

Detroit Lions 2023 draft watch: 7 players, including PSU CB Joey Porter Jr. (Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State (redshirt junior):  Porter—the son of Pittsburgh Steelers superstar linebacker Joey Porter—is long, fast, and because of his body type, similar to Tracy Walker. He’s going to be an outside-only cornerback in the NFL. Porter is smooth in coverage and can stay in phase with some top receivers. He is also very physical, though his run support needs some improvement.  Lions fit: Playing in press-man concepts will best accentuate Porter’s skill set and he could end up being a top-50 prospect who challenges to start during his rookie season.  An excerpt from Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs pre-season evaluation:  “Joey Porter Jr. might be the longest cornerback in the country. He’s got incredible reach and influence inside the contact window and at the line of scrimmage. For someone who is still so inexperienced at the college level, it is exciting to think about what additional untapped potential awaits Porter Jr. as he collects more experience and adds more tools to his toolbox to pair with his athletic potential.  An excerpt from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s weekend preview:  “Porter has been a shutdown corner in 2022. He leads the FBS in passes defended per game (2.0) and has allowed only three receptions for 23 yards (with zero penalties) over his last four games.”) (10-15-22):  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/10/15/23401536/detroit-lions-2023-draft-watch-joey-porter-jr-hendon-hooker-mazi-smith-michael-mayer-kyu-blu-kelly

2023 NFL Draft: Midseason College Football All-Prospect Team (CB: JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE:  Phillips is the highest-graded corner in the FBS this season (90.7) and leads the FBS with five interceptions already. At 5-foot-10, 183 pounds, his size will work against him, but I doubt he will fall out of the second round because of it.  Those same size concerns do not apply to Porter, however. The senior corner has locked down his side of the field so well that opposing quarterbacks have stopped testing him. In his last three games, he’s allowed only one catch on six targets and broken up three passes. Better yet, he has given up only 89 yards on the season.) (10-13-22):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-scouting-notebook-midseason-college-football-all-prospect-team

College football Week 7: NFL scouts will be watching these top matchups (The visiting Nittany Lions rank in the middle of the pack with just five interceptions in as many games, but they are much more disruptive than these numbers suggest, breaking up an eye-popping 49 passes during that time. Toolsy NFL-legacy Joey Porter Jr. leads the way with 10 PBUs. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Porter possesses terrific size, length and strength, ‘rassling opposing receivers in much the same way that his father dominated the competition off the edge for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While physical and instinctive, like most long-levered cornerbacks, there are concerns about his ability to handle quick-twitch and smooth accelerating receivers, and he has not yet shown the ball-skills to warrant the early first-round buzz his hype suggests, collecting just one pick among his 19 career PBUs — and that came last year. ) (10-13-22):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/college-football-week-7-nfl-scouts-will-be-watching-these-top-matchups

Why Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. Is Prospect Lions Should Watch (10-1-22):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-prospect-profile-joey-porter-jr

Big Ten Standouts: 6 Players Dominating College Football (Joey Porter Jr. CB, Penn State:  A long, physical corner, turn on his tape against Purdue and enjoy. Although the Boilermakers’ top wideout in Jones (see above) burned the Nittany Lions’ secondary as a whole, Porter Jr.’s side was kept clean. The son of former NFL linebacker Joey Porter Sr., Penn State’s top perimeter stalwart has looked every bit of the part of a potential day-one pick.) (9-27-22):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/big-ten-standouts-6-players-dominating-college-football/

2023 NFL draft prospects to watch in CFB Week 3 (Big Ten and SEC teams don’t often meet before bowl season. In fact, Auburn has never hosted a Big Ten team before.  They might not want to see another one after playing against potential first-round CB Joey Porter Jr. The son of longtime NFL linebacker Joey Porter, he plays with a physical style that honors and draws upon his father. Porter Jr. has shown serious ball skills with six PDs already this season. At 6-foot-2 and adept at tackling and playing the run, Porter is definitely one to watch.) (9-17-22):  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-in-cfb-week-3-lions-draft/

College Football Week 1: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards (PFF TEAM OF THE WEEK - CB: Joey Porter Jr., Penn State Nittany Lions) (9-7-22):  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-1-pff-team-of-the-week-player-awards

Top 10 performances from 2023 NFL Draft prospects in Week 1 of the college football season (1. CB JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE (VS. PURDUE):  One of the biggest question marks for Porter coming into 2022 was ball production. Well, that changed last Thursday. Porter matched his pass breakup total from the previous two seasons combined with five for the contest. He finished having allowed six catches on 14 targets for 66 yards, as he was frequently tested by Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell. While Porter wasn’t facing much in the way of high-end NFL competition, he still put on a show for evaluators.) (9-6-22):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-10-performances-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-week-1-college-football

Week 1 2023 NFL Draft Risers: Anthony Richardson kicks off his first-round ascent (Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State:  There’s no other cornerback we can list here other than Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. When Purdue needed to push the ball through the air, and when they needed to test Porter, they were met with a brick wall each time.  Porter was credited with three pass deflections in the season opener, and he contributed to several more incompletions, consistently blanketing his man at the catch point. The 6’2″ CB has an enticing mix of length and fluidity but also has the playmaking instincts and physicality to convert.) (9-5-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-1-2023-nfl-draft-risers-anthony-richardson-kicks-off-his-first-round-ascent/

2023 NFL Draft: Week 1 Stock Report (CB Joey Porter Jr, Penn State:  This is a player whose stock was already very high coming into this season as the highly regarded top cornerback in this class and he did not disappoint. Porter led the Penn State defense with eight tackles, and he also had three pass deflections and a fumble recovery. What doesn’t show on a stat sheet however is the job he did in coverage. Porter locked down Purdue’s receivers all night and held Aidan O’Connell to a single touchdown. Though Purdue’s coaching decisions ultimately cost them the game, Porter and the rest of the Nittany Lions defense made it extremely difficult for the Purdue offense to get anything going for most of the game.) (9-4-22):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft/2023-nfl-draft-week-1-stock-report#gid=ci02aa779ee0002552&pid=qb-spencer-sanders-oklahoma-state

Week 1 College Football Team of the Week: Todd Centeio, Kris Thornton usher JMU into the FBS (Cornerback: Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  Back on Thursday night, it was an impressive season-opening performance for Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. He recorded nearly a half-dozen pass breakups and almost had an interception. In total, Porter led the Nittany Lions in total tackles and was as dominant in coverage as we’ve seen from him in his illustrious career.) (9-4-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-1-college-football-team-of-the-week-2022/

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Notebook: Early Week 1 College Football Action Sees Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. Emerge (Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State:  We’re going to be treated to another high-quality cornerback class in the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite being repeatedly tested in a narrow win over Purdue on Thursday evening, Penn State defensive playmaker Joey Porter Jr. showcased why he should be in the conversation with the very best of them. The fourth-year prospect led the team with eight tackles while tallying a team-high-tying three pass breakups.  Porter was all over the field for the Nittany Lions. He boasts great size at 6’2” and 198 pounds, and the frame allows him to play a physical brand of football. We knew coming into this game that he possessed great length, and he repeatedly put that to good use at the catch point against Purdue.  Porter is an incredible athlete, and on several plays Thursday night you could see his play speed and fluidity at work. The Penn State cornerback also flashed some high-level play diagnosis skills that almost resulted in an interception during the first half.) (9-2-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-scouting-notebook-college-football-week-1/

Top Penn State Prospects to Watch for 2023 NFL Draft (CB Joey Porter Jr.
porter_71:  The son of former NFL star Joey Porter, he has the skill set to be an early Day-2 pick. It starts with his measurables. Porter has freakishly long arms and great size. That said, his tape has been inconsistent and he is more of a projection based on traits. His best fit at the next level will be as a zone cornerback, where his length and ball skills will stand out. Porter’s change of direction and long speed aren’t special, which could prevent him from sneaking into the first round.) (8-30-22):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft/top-nittany-lions-prospects-to-watch-2023-nfl-draft

Big Ten 2023 NFL Draft prospects and scouting reports (Joey Porter Jr., CB | Grade: 3.82 | Projected Round: 2 - Joey Porter Jr. grades as my top NFL prospect on the depth chart, and I stamped the cornerback as a second-round pick. Porter is big, physical, and fast. He beats down opponents to defend throws and makes many positive plays. The issue for Porter is poor technique; he gets sloppy pedaling in reverse and struggles to make plays with his back to the ball. Those details must be improved, but Porter’s size and style are enticing.) (8-25-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/big-ten-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-scouting-reports/

Ranking the best NFL Draft prospects in the Big Ten (7. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State:  The son of the former NFL linebacker has two years of meaningful playing experience in Happy Valley. Porter has good size for the position and good overall speed to stay in the receiver's hip pocket. Opposing teams completed 50.8% of passes against the California native in primary coverage. Ball production has been limited to this point in his career.  Wide receiver Parker Washington and edge rusher Adisa Isaac are a couple other Nittany Lions to monitor.) (8-24-22):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-ranking-the-10-best-prospects-in-the-big-ten-entering-the-regular-season/

PFN Preseason All-B1G Team 2022: OSU’s C.J. Stroud, TreVeyon Henderson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba set (Defense | Second team - CB: Joey Porter Jr., Penn State) (8-9-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/pfn-preseason-all-b1g-team-2022/

Top 25 Big Ten 2023 NFL Draft prospects: Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba top the list (11. CB JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE:  Porter plays the cornerback position the way you’d expect the son of Joey Porter to play the cornerback position. He’s a bully at the line of scrimmage at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds. His tape against Ohio State last season, during which he allowed only 25 yards all game, showed how he can win at the line of scrimmage consistently. That’s a good starting point when projecting to the NFL, but he will need to cut down on his 10 penalties from 2021.) (7-26-22):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-25-big-ten-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-ohio-state-cj-stroud-jaxon-smith-njigba

PFF 2022 Preseason Jim Thorpe Award Watch List: Best DB in college football (CB JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE:  Somewhat surprisingly with the influx of former NFLplayers' sons becoming top secondary prospects in recent years, none have actually secured a Jim Thorpe Award. Porter could change that with a big redshirt junior season in 2022. The only problem is that his play style hasn’t necessarily been conducive to counting stats. Still, he shuts down routes at the line of scrimmage, and his best reps cause quarterbacks to look elsewhere. He’ll have to do better than the three pass breakups and one pick from a season ago to enter the conversation.) (7-19-22):  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-preseason-jim-thorpe-award-watch-list-best-db-2022

Utah’s 2023 NFL Draft prospects led by Clark Phillips III, Brant Kuithe (Clark Phillips III, CB:  The Utes’ best chance at a 2023 first-round pick lies with Clark Phillips III. He concluded his high school career as the No. 4 cornerback in the country and has started every game since landing in Utah. His true freshman campaign was nothing to scoff at, but Phillips had his coming-out party last season.  In 14 games, he registered 13 PBUs, two INTs, and two forced fumbles, flashing his playmaking prowess. In my film study of UCLA WR Kyle Philips, Phillips was the only Utah defender to truly give him fits. He may not receive Day 1 capital, but Phillips won’t have to wait too long to receive a phone call from an NFL GM.) (7-12-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/utahs-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-led-by-clark-phillips-iii-brant-kuithe/

Penn State’s 2023 NFL Draft prospects led by Parker Washington and Joey Porter Jr. (Joey Porter Jr., CB:  The son of former All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter Sr., Joey Porter Jr. profiles as one of Penn State’s most exciting prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. There’s still a sense that Porter’s breakout hasn’t come yet, but he’s been showing promise year in and year out with the Nittany Lions.  Last season, Porter put up 50 tackles, an interception, and four pass deflections. His long 6’2″, 195-pound frame enables him to make plays on the ball, but Porter brings excellent explosiveness as well. He also flashes instincts in zone.(7-2-22):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/joey-porter-jr-cb-penn-state-nfl-draft-scouting-report-2023/

Early 2023 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings: Georgia's Kelee Ringo and Syracuse's Garrett Williams top the list (9. JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE (RS JUNIOR):  Porter is one of the longest corners in the draft class at 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, and you won’t find a cornerback who fared better against the Ohio State receiver triumvirate than Porter in 2021. In that game, he allowed only two of his four targets to be caught for 25 yards, as he shut down the Buckeye receivers at the line of scrimmage frequently throughout the game. Having said that, he’s not solely a press cornerback, as he’s displayed solid instincts from off-coverage as well.) (6-24-22):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-early-2023-nfl-draft-cornerback-rankings-georgia-kelee-ringo-and-syracuse-garrett-williams

Penn State’s 2023 NFL Draft prospects led by Parker Washington and Joey Porter Jr. (Joey Porter Jr., CB:  The son of former All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter Sr., Joey Porter Jr. profiles as one of Penn State’s most exciting prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. There’s still a sense that Porter’s breakout hasn’t come yet, but he’s been showing promise year in and year out with the Nittany Lions.  Last season, Porter put up 50 tackles, an interception, and four pass deflections. His long 6’2″, 195-pound frame enables him to make plays on the ball, but Porter brings excellent explosiveness as well. He also flashes instincts in zone.) (June 2, 2022):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/penn-states-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-led-by-parker-washington-joey-porter-jr/

Cornerbacks to watch for the 2023 NFL draft (Joey Porter Jr., Penn State:  Admit it.  You feel old right now.  The son of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, Joey Porter Jr. appeared in four games for Penn State as a true freshman in 2019. He started eight games the following season at cornerback for the Nittany Lions, registering 33 total tackles, a sack and four pass breakups. He was named a Third-Team All-Big Ten player by the media, and an Honorable Mention selection by the coaches.  Porter Jr. started 13 games last season, setting career-high numbers in total tackles (51) and pass breakups (4) while registering his first career interception, which came against Indiana at the start of October. He was named a Third-Team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media at the end of the season.  He is a long defender and very physical, especially at the catch point. Those traits showed up on this play against Illinois, as he breaks up a pass on third down.) (5-24-22):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/cornerbacks-watch-list-2023-nfl-draft-kelee-ringo-eli-ricks/

2023 NFL Draft: Defensive prospects to watch (CB Joey Porter:  He gets a bit handsy downfield but is physical through the route. Porter -- the son of the former Steelers linebacker -- has been on the radar for a few years.) (5-17-22):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-will-anderson-jalen-carter-among-defensive-prospects-to-watch-in-college-football-season/


Posted by LionsFan at 7:45 PM

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