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: 11/20/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
Last Updated: 11/20/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | |
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
Overall Rating: | 84.6 / 100 | |
---|---|---|
Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
|
79% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 18.2 | |
Tackling: |
|
57% |
Run Defense: |
|
43% |
Coverage: |
|
95% |
Zone: |
|
79% |
Man/Press: |
|
95% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#78
Position rank:
#15
|
||
College Games: 32 College Snaps: 694 | ||
College Combine Results
|
||
|
||
|
Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
---|---|---|
Darius Rush - South Carolina |
|
49% |
Tyrique Stevenson - Miami |
|
45% |
Cam Hart - Notre Dame |
|
43% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Darien Porter converted from wide receiver to cornerback during his six-year tenure at Iowa State. The Bettendorf native's track background includes breaking Iowa's state record with a 46.99-second 400-meter dash and claiming state titles in both the 200 and 400 meters. After garnering attention from Nebraska and Penn State, Porter committed to Iowa State as a three-star recruit.Following a redshirt season in 2019, Porter carved out a role on special teams before transitioning to cornerback in 2022. His impact on special teams proved significant, blocking punts in four consecutive seasons and accumulating 47 total tackles across his career. The 2023 season marked his emergence as a starter, where he recorded 10 tackles, three pass breakups, and secured two interceptions against ranked Iowa.
Porter's collegiate career includes Second Team Academic All-Big 12 honors (2020, 2021) and nomination to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (2023). His versatility showed through extensive participation on five different special teams units while also logging significant defensive snaps in his final season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional frame with superior arm length and reach; creates natural leverage advantages in press and disrupts passing windows across the field
- Verified burner with track pedigree; carries vertical routes stride-for-stride and shows explosive closing burst to the football
- Special teams maven with consistent production as gunner and punt block specialist; four blocked punts showcase game-changing ability
- Advanced pattern recognition from zone drops; processes route combinations quickly and jumps underneath throws with authority
- Instant accelerator with makeup speed to recover when beaten; drives downhill on screens and quick game with conviction
- Shows natural feel in press alignment; uses length effectively to redirect receivers and maintain leverage through stems
- Quick study who adapted rapidly to defensive backfield after position switch; shows natural instincts reading quarterback eyes
- Smooth pedal despite length; maintains low pad level through transitions with efficient footwork in space
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Raw defensive back with minimal starting experience; steep learning curve ahead against NFL route trees and concepts
- Long-levered frame leads to mechanical transitions; struggles to stay in phase against sharp breaks and double moves
- Lacks play strength and physicality in run support; gets washed out by blocks and shows inconsistent tackle technique
- Limited experience in press man; gets grabby when beaten and needs refinement in mirror-match technique
- Stiff hips show up against quick slot receivers; loses leverage against shifty route runners in space
Scouting Report: Summary
A rangy outside corner prospect whose elite athletic traits and special teams impact provide immediate roster value. Shows natural instincts in zone coverage with the length and speed to match up vertically. Quick processor who drives on underneath routes with conviction and uses length effectively to disrupt passing windows.Despite limited experience, displays natural coverage instincts and elite movement skills that translate well to an NFL zone scheme. Special teams prowess will earn early playing time while technical refinements develop. Needs continued work on tackle technique and press man coverage skills.
Best suited for a zone-heavy defense that can maximize his length and straight-line speed early while developing his man coverage technique. Natural feel for zone drops and route recognition suggest untapped potential as he gains experience.
How other scouting services rate Darien Porter (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
64.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
17.0
*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.