Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. likely would have been an early-round draft pick had he decided to enter the NFL draft in 2022, but his decision to return to Penn State for another season certainly worked out well. On Friday night, the second night of the 2023 NFL draft, Porter was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 32nd overall pick and the first pick in the second round, fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing for the team that his father once played for.
Porter, the son of former NFL star Joey Porter, was a four-star recruit in Penn State’s Class of 2019, a star-studded class that also included Jaquan Brisker, a second-round draft pick in 2022, and another expected draft pick later in the 2023 draft, tight end Brenton Strange. Porter Jr. was the fourth-highest-rated recruit in Pennsylvania in the Class of 2019.
Porter Jr. played four seasons in Happy Valley, in which he recorded 113 total tackles with just one interception, but his athleticism and physical stature make him a natural fit for the NFL.
Joey Porter Jr. is the highest draft pick at the cornerback position in Penn State program history, although Penn State’s first round cornerback drought continues for another year.
Follow Kevin McGuire on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
[mm-video type=video id=01gz2ks14rts9fsstge4 playlist_id=01ey902ehrs6e9bvhw player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gz2ks14rts9fsstge4/01gz2ks14rts9fsstge4-5e5094fc790a52d05e4f73297ecae193.jpg]