Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. declares for 2023 NFL Draft
Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has made up his mind about what to do next year. The stud defensive back is declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced Wednesday.
A tall, long-armed corner with range and a willingness to tackle, Porter became one of the top players for a stingy Penn State defense. After redshirting his freshman season, the 6-foot, 2-inch tall Porter established himself as a strong outside presence for the Nittany Lions.
He’s only recorded one interception in his career — last season against Indiana — but has steadily raised his passes defensed number. The lack of takeaways has plenty to do with opponents not coming his way, either.
That’s been very much this case in 2022 as Porter was as advertised, generally locking up opposing receivers and stepping up as a sure tackler in the run game. And he’s raised his passes defensed number to 11 after recording eight in the last two seasons combined.
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Porter was recognized for his production and talents as a midseason semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, given annually to the top defensive back in college football.
Porter is one of the top corner prospects in the class though there is stiff competition to be the top player drafted at the position in 2023. The other potential corners in the class include Cam Smith from South Carolina, Kelee Ringo from Georgia, Jaylon Jones from Texas A&M, Christian Gonzalez from Oregon and Clark Phillips II from Utah.
Porter is also an NFL legacy, with his dad — Joey Porter Sr. — playing more than a decade in the NFL as a linebacker.
Given his measureables and college production, Porter has first round potential for the right suitor in the 2023 NFL Draft.
More on the 2023 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.
Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.
To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.
The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.