At the NFL Combine, Joey Porter Jr. Wants to 'Really Fly'

The Penn Stater believes he's the best cornerback in the draft. He plans to prove that in Indianapolis.

Joey Porter Jr. planned to leave Penn State for the NFL Draft after the 2021 season. He felt ready to play pro ball, having grown up around the game. What do you expect from a player who ran routes with Antonio Brown at Pittsburgh Steelers practices as a kid?

But Porter's parents, Christy and Joey Sr., said no. They said he wasn't ready after two seasons and 21 starts. They told him to return to Penn State for one more year.

"Yeah, definitely hurt; definitely didn't want to hear that from your parents," Porter told reporters at the NFL Combine. "But I knew it was from good intentions, and they were right because if I didn't, I don't think I'd be in this position right now talking to you guys."

Porter arrived in Indianapolis as one of the combine's most intriguing players. NFL Draft Bible ranks him as the No. 3 cornerback in this class, though Porter disagrees. "I feel like I'm the best corner here," he said Thursday before attempting to prove it Friday.

Porter came to the combine with a primary mission: to prove his game speed. He'll run the 40-yard dash and go through testing intent on demonstrating the burst and change-of-direction speed needed to match elite receivers.

"I feel like people don't think I'm that fast," Porter said, "so that's why I'm here — to show people that I can really fly."

If he does, Porter should solidify his place as Penn State's first defensive back selected in the first round. Which helps justify that decision to return.

Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. can become the first Penn State defensive back to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft :: Dan Rainville/USA Today Sports

Porter made five All-America teams last season, when he also prompted nearly every Big Ten offensive coordinator to look in the other direction. After Porter broke up six passes in the opener against Purdue, teams largely stopped throwing his way.

When they did throw at him, Porter held teams to a 34.6-percent completion rate in man coverage. His overall completion rate allowed was just 42.3 percent.

At 6-2, 194 pounds, and with a long-armed reach, Porter brings a prototype body to NFL press coverage. He's adept at his tradecraft, having worked diligently to reduce the impact (or at least visibility) of his hands that resulted in six pass-interference penalties in 2021. Last season, Porter had two.

He's also quite aware that a cornerback with no interceptions in a season can draw questions. Porter noted the reduced number of targets but added that he wants to grow as a playmaker.

"I feel like I left some money out there on the field this year and [I'm] definitely going to work on that so I can make more plays," he said.

Porter, whose father played and coached for the Steelers, naturally fielded questions about playing for Pittsburgh. He spent a lot of time at that facility, has a good relationship with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and even played basketball with Tomlin's sons.

"It would probably mean a lot to me and my family," Porter said of being drafted by Pittsburgh.

Yet he's a realist. Other teams need corners, too, including the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. Though he had not met with the Eagles as of Thursday, Porter said, "I'd definitely love to play there."

Porter shared memories of living in Miami ("Loved the weather") and Arizona ("The pools were like hot tubs") during his father's playing career and even found some kind words for the Baltimore Ravens.

"I really never had any ill will toward Baltimore," Porter said. "That was probably more my dad, since his whole rivalry with them. I just love the game of football. So if I end up there, that would be a blessing."

Will his father agree? Porter will find out in May. In the meantime, he wants to carve a path from his father's experience.

"My dad's been there before," Porter said. "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 going to strive to do. That's why I'm here."

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.