Latest NFL mock draft has Penn State football star in top-12

On Friday, January 20th, NFL reporter Daniel Jeremiah released his latest NFL mock draft. In it, he has Penn State football star defensive back, Joey Porter Jr., going No. 12 overall to the Houston Texans.

Joey Porter Jr. at Penn State football

Joey Porter Jr. — one of the key pieces on Penn State’s incredible defense in 2022 — declared for the NFL Draft just before the Nittany Lions beat No. 8 Utah, 35-21 in the Rose Bowl game. Now, Porter is looking to taking his talents to the next level, and the NFL wants him just the same.

During his time at Penn State, Joey Porter Jr. has seen a decorated career. At the beginning of last season — Penn State at Purdue — Porter set a program record for pass breakups in a single game (6) and won the nation’s Player of the Week Award.

As a redshirt freshman in 2020 Joey Porter Jr. won All-Big Ten (3rd team) honors as well as freshman of the week honors in early December. In 2021, during Penn State’s ugly 7-6 season, Porter still managed to again earn All-Big Ten (3rd team) honors.

In Penn State’s most recent season, Joey Porter Jr. grew into the NFL-ready prospect that he is today — Porter was awarded with All-American (2nd team) honors, All-Big Ten (1st team) honors, and won the Nittany Lions’ Defensive Player of the Year award.

Porter is a draft-ready prospect

Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr this season:

? 254 Coverage Snaps
? Zero Touchdowns Allowed
? 10 Forced Incompletions
? 59.1 Passer Rating Allowed pic.twitter.com/crWRFBVwcP

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 3, 2022

Heading into the 2022 season, most (if not all) Penn State football fans knew that last season would likely be Joey Porter’s final season in the Blue and White. After four years at Penn State and three years as a starter (all of which he was listed as an All-Big Ten/All-American selection) there was little hope that the Nittany Lions would be able to retain him heading into the 2023 season.

Porter’s 6-2, 194 lbs frame and physical playstyle make him a dangerous, lockdown threat in man coverage. In 2022, Porter was a threat to quarterbacks in every one of Penn State’s games.

Joey Porter Jr. saw 254 coverage snaps, allowed zero touchdowns, forced 10 incompletions, and allowed a 59.1 passer grade according to Pro Football Focus.

In the NFL’s most recent mock draft, Joey Porter Jr. is selected 12th overall by the Houston Texans — the Texans’ secondary could use a solid defensive back like Porter Jr. as they seek to get back into the Playoff picture.