Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., a North Allegheny grad, announces he’ll return in 2022

Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. announced Saturday that he’ll return to the Nittany Lions in 2022.

In the Christmas morning message on social media, Porter wrote, “At this time in my life, staying in college and completing my college degree is important to me and my family. After much prayer, and discussion with my parents, I have decided to return to Penn State University.”

As a redshirt sophomore, Porter was draft eligible this spring. Given his size and length at 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, Porter remains an intriguing NFL prospect. Plus, he has a professional pedigree because his father, Joey Porter Sr., played 13 years in the NFL for the Steelers, Dolphins and Cardinals.

Porter started all 12 games for the Nittany Lions this fall, and he recorded 49 tackles, one interception, four pass breakups and one forced fumble. Porter did struggle with consistency down the stretch and was flagged for a number of untimely penalties in the secondary.

The North Allegheny product was voted onto the All-Big Ten third-team defense by the conference’s coaches, and he was named All-Big Ten honorable mention by the conference’s media.

Porter’s return also means Penn State will need to shift fewer pieces in the secondary. Safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields are out of eligibility, but safety Ji’Ayir Brown announced he’ll be returning for another season, while nickel corner Daequan Hardy is also expected to return.

That means new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz will need to replace only two starters, and given how Penn State has recruited in the secondary in recent years, there should be plenty of competition for those spots.

Here’s Porter’s full message from social media:

“Playing for Penn State University these past 3 seasons has been a gift and an honor. I am grateful for play alongside some of the best players in the country!

At this time in my life, staying in college and completing my college degree is important to me and my family. After much prayer, and discussion with my parents, I have decided to return to Penn State University.

This decision was not easy to make. Playing in the NFL has been my lifelong goal and dream, but right now I think it’s important for me to finish what I started alongside my brothers & coaches at Penn State.

#WeAre

#9 Joey Porter Jr.”