Joey Porter Jr. explains decision to play for Penn State over Pitt

Former Penn State football star Joey Porter Jr. has embodied the Steel City for much of his life. The North Allegheny High School product turned Pittsburgh Steeler now spends Sundays suiting up for the same organization where his father became an All-Pro.

But before returning to Pittsburgh, Porter was molded in Happy Valley. Recently detailing his high school recruiting experience on the Christian Kuntz Podcast, the ex-Nittany Lion explained why he picked James Franklin and Penn State over his hometown Pitt Panthers.

“The thing with Pitt was like, I really wanted to go to Pitt, but they didn’t recruit their backyard enough that I felt like,” he said. “And I felt like, even our 7-on-7 team evolved, like we had so many top guys, even [the] 412 [7-on-7 team], they had so many top guys, and they just never really recruited out of that pool. So, I was like, if my guy’s not going, then I’m not going. That’s what was going on with Pitt.”

WOW!

On the Christian Kuntz Podcast, North Allegheny alum Joey Porter Jr discusses why he didn’t go to Pitt and how he feels Pitt doesn’t recruit their backyard enough.

Thoughts?? Is JPJ right? Should Pitt recruit friends of top players? pic.twitter.com/y9GiyNEwSy

— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) May 29, 2025

Early in his recruitment, Porter’s intention was not to remain in the Keystone State. Instead, his dream was to play for Penn State’s Big Ten rival, Ohio State.

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“I wanted to go to O-State so bad. That was my dream school, O-State,” he continued. “I’m going to be honest. I wanted to go to O-State so bad…I switched [from receiver to cornerback], and they still didn’t give me an offer. So, that’s when I was like, I’m going to Penn State. I got to beat them. Didn’t beat them, but I made my little plays here and there. But I still don’t like O-State.”

The decision ultimately worked out well for Porter, who started 31 games in his Penn State football career, making 112 tackles and one interception. He earned second-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten honors as a redshirt junior before declaring for the NFL Draft.

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