Former NFL linebacker Joey Porter finished his career as one of the most menacing players in the recent history of a franchise that’s seen plenty of them, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to a Super Bowl Victory against the Seahawks in 2006.
Porter, a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL All-Pro and member of the Steelers’ All-Time team, is also the proud father of two daughters and two sons, one of whom is a redshirt freshman quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions with a familiar name: Joey Porter, Jr.
Porter, Jr. is a cornerback, but he said recently that he believes he can bring the same level of physicality to the position that his dad was known for across the National Football League.
Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. was asked recently about comparisons to his father, the former Steelers linebacker.
"I feel like I can be just as physical as him," he said. "I feel like we're the same people, just in different positions."https://t.co/kYeDJamM0b
— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) October 24, 2020
Last year, Porter, Jr. managed to play as a true freshman, and had three tackles in spot duty.
On the Big Ten’s opening Saturday against the Indiana Hoosiers on the road, Porter, Jr. looked like a chip off the old block as he came free on the blitz against Indiana QB Michael Penix, Jr. in Bloomington.
Like father like son! Joey Porter Jr. with the sack #ThisIsBakersfield pic.twitter.com/eFGNZFStfk
— Bakersfield Sports Network (@BakoSportsNet) October 24, 2020
The question now is whether the former three-star from Bakersfield, California can continue to make plays for the Nittany Lions, who struggled in the first half against an Indiana team with inferior talent. Time will tell, but so far he’s showing he could have the same pass-rushing chops as his famous father.
Check out his high school highlights in the clip below:
According to Penn State student journalist Zach Donaldson, Porter, Jr. was a surprise starter this year, but it appears as if he could bring an entirely new dimension to the Penn State secondary in 2020.
He's also apparently making a lot of college football analysts and fans across the country feel old, as this post from Yahoo! Sports referenced.
Want to feel old? Joey Porter Jr. is a starting cornerback for Penn State. He just had a sack.
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) October 24, 2020
