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North Allegheny's Joey Porter Jr. could be primed to break out for Penn State | TribLIVE.com
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North Allegheny's Joey Porter Jr. could be primed to break out for Penn State

Pennlive.Com
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Tribune-Review
North Allegheny graduate Joey Porter Jr. redshirted as a freshman for Penn State.

The Penn State football program signed one of its best cornerback recruiting classes in recent memory last year.

Four-stars Keaton Ellis, Marquis Wilson and Joey Porter Jr. all joined the program, along with three-star Daequan Hardy.

Ellis and Wilson quickly moved up the depth chart and saw meaningful playing time a year ago, and both were seen as fearless players who both had a nose for the ball.

Hardy redshirted, while Porter Jr., the North Allegheny graduate and son of the Pittsburgh Steelers legend by the same name, did the same but still made a handful of tackles while playing in just four games to preserve his extra year of eligibility.

The talent was there, however, for a bigger role, but none existed on the roster for the lengthy 6-foot-2, 192-pound talent. He had a nice game at Maryland in September that offered a glimpse of what is on the horizon, however, and now those within the program are expecting a major Year 2 impact.

“He brings great length, great athleticism. … excited to see his growth from a freshman redshirt year to now repeating the freshman year athletically,” said corners coach Terry Smith, a former Gateway coach.

“He’s done a great job off the field and has picked up the system. He’s in the mix as well for that starting position.”

With Tariq Castro-Fields returning to start at one corner spot, the other side will feature a fascinating competition between Ellis and Wilson first with Porter Jr., mixed in to replace John Reid.

All will be expected to see playing time whenever the season is played, as Smith will rotate them in no matter who earns the first-team job.

It’ll be fascinating to see what role Porter Jr. can carve out, as it’s clear he is waiting to burst onto the big stage and play under the Beaver Stadium lights.

“We played him in the four games, and he showed up and made some plays and nearly had a nice interception at the Maryland game, and we’re looking forward to him continuing to progress,” Smith said.

Added safeties coach Tim Banks:

“We’re super excited. The size that he brings, athleticism; he really has a chance to be one of the better players here, but obviously he has to earn it.

“Based on what we saw in the fall and the small window that we had with him during the winter conditioning, we really believe he’s on the upswing and has the chance to help his team in a great way.”

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