Darien Porter CB Iowa State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Darien Porter CB Iowa State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/22/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.30 seconds (98%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 02/22/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.30 seconds (98%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.6 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 18.2 | |
| Tackling: |
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57% |
| Run Defense: |
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43% |
| Coverage: |
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95% |
| Zone: |
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79% |
| Man/Press: |
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95% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#73
Position rank:
#13
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| College Games: 32 College Snaps: 694 | ||
ESPN RATING: 77/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 88/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Darius Rush - South Carolina |
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60% |
| Cam Hart - Notre Dame |
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50% |
| Kamal Hadden - Tennessee |
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50% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A former track star turned cornerback, Darien Porter's path to the NFL Draft exemplifies patience and persistence. The Bettendorf, Iowa native rewrote state track records with a blazing 46.99 in the 400 meters before bringing his elite speed to Iowa State as a wide receiver in 2019. After contributing primarily on special teams for three seasons, Porter made the bold switch to cornerback in 2022, a move that would ultimately showcase his rare athletic gifts on the defensive side of the ball.Porter's collegiate journey reached its apex in 2024, when he emerged as a legitimate NFL prospect despite his relative inexperience at the position. His senior campaign included three interceptions - including two crucial picks in a rivalry win over Iowa - while setting himself apart as one of college football's premier special teams weapons with five career blocked kicks. Playing in a school-record 64 games, Porter's development arc showed steady progression as he refined his technique and leveraged his exceptional physical tools.
The 6'2", 197-pound corner closed out his Cyclone career with 51 tackles, 3 interceptions, and an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 selection, but the raw numbers only tell part of the story. His impact was felt beyond the box score, as Iowa State reached two Big 12 Championship games and five bowl games during his tenure. Porter's academic achievements, including multiple Academic All-Big 12 honors, speak to his dedication to improvement both on and off the field.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Rare length-speed combo at 6'2" with speed shows up on tape when running vertically with receivers down the boundary
- Natural ball tracking ability carried over from WR days - displays exceptional timing when high-pointing and attacking the football at its apex
- Elite special teams value with five career blocked kicks showcases how effectively he uses his length and explosive burst
- Shows advanced instincts in zone coverage, particularly in Cover 3 where he expertly leverages the sideline as an extra defender
- Quick processor who demonstrates solid route recognition and anticipation skills despite limited experience at the position
- Maintains low pad level unusually well for his height, allowing him to transition more smoothly than typical lengthy corners
- Uses his frame effectively to re-route receivers in press coverage, showing potential to develop into a physical press corner
- Former track speed manifests in recovery ability - can make up ground quickly when beaten initially on vertical routes
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Hip tightness and high-cut frame create limitations in quick-change situations, particularly against shifty receivers working back to the ball
- Still developing consistent tackling technique in space - tends to dive at legs rather than breaking down and securing proper form
- Raw in terms of technical refinement with only three years experience at corner - basics like backpedal and transition mechanics need polishing
- Age concerns as he'll be 25 during rookie season, potentially limiting his developmental runway despite impressive physical traits
- Can be a beat slow triggering downhill against screens and outside runs, occasionally giving up the edge when he hesitates
Scouting Report: Summary
Despite being a late bloomer at the position, Porter's film shows a corner who could make an immediate impact in the right system. His elite combination of size and speed isn't just workout warrior stuff - it shows up consistently when he's asked to match up with bigger receivers or carry routes vertically. When you watch him work in zone coverage, particularly in quarters or Cover 3, you see a corner who already has a natural feel for leveraging his length and using the sideline to his advantage.Teams running heavy zone concepts are going to fall in love with Porter's potential. He's tailor-made for a Seattle-style Cover 3 system where he can play with his eyes on the quarterback and use that track speed to close on anything in front of him. While he needs some technical refinement in man coverage, his ability to blanket bigger receivers and contribute on special teams means he won't be riding the bench as a rookie. Smart coordinators will deploy him strategically early on - matching him up against bigger receivers in sub packages while letting him wreak havoc on special teams.
The ceiling here is a legitimate starting corner who can match up with the NFL's new breed of supersized receivers. His combination of length, speed and ball skills is exactly what teams are looking for on the outside in today's game. While age is a minor concern, Porter's rapid development curve and elite athletic traits suggest he could develop into a quality starter by year two. Day two feels like the sweet spot for a corner with his unique skill set and immediate special teams impact.
Darien Porter percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Darien Porter (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
68.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
18.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.