Darien Porter, CB
School: Iowa State | Conference: Big 12
College Experience: Redshirt Senior | Age: 24
Height / Weight: 6’3” / 195 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd-3rd Round
Player Comparison: Riq Woolen
College Statistics
Player Overview
While Darien Porter was a very good high school football player in Iowa, he was arguably a better track athlete. Porter set a state record in the 400m sprint and took home the championship in 2017 and 2019. He has posted a 10.49 second 100m. He used this speed on the football field as a wide receiver to become a three-star recruit. Even though he had offers from Minnesota and Nebraska, Porter stayed in state to play wide receiver for the Iowa State Cyclones.
As a freshman, Porter played in three games but ultimately redshirted. He would see the field more next season as a special teamer, but only had a handful of tackles. The same would be true of his junior year in 2021. After this season, Porter flipped sides of the ball and became a cornerback. While he learned the position over 2022 and 2023, Porter was a special teams star for the Cyclones. He would finally get his chance to start in his sixth year, and he made the most of it. With three interceptions and two pass breakups, Porter helped Iowa State to the Big 12 Championship Game while earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Strengths
Good length for the position
Quick feet and agility helps him mirror receivers
Excellent speed to stay with receivers or recover if beat
Good awareness and reaction time in zone coverage
Hands are solid: three INTs and two PDs on limited pass attempts
Special teams value with five career blocked kicks
Weaknesses
Overall technique needs more consistency
Can be slow to react to receiver as he processes route
Not a lot of stopping power as a tackler
Became full-time starter in sixth year
Let’s See His Work
I predicted Darien Porter would run a 4.30 40 yard dash… and he did ♂️
…but there’s more to CB than just speed:
➖ UNREAL 4.7 passer rating allowed in 2024
➖ 3 picks
➖ 2 PBUs
➖ 6’2” 197lbs
➖ Just 17 targets in 11 games
➖ Former WR
Lockdown. pic.twitter.com/88FqBCpPVU
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 28, 2025
Source: nfl.com
How He Fits on the Commanders
The Commanders have been busy remaking their roster in free agency. Out is Benjamin St-Juste. In is Jonathan Jones to go along Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, and Noah Igbinoghene who was re-signed. While this could be a productive group, the team could look to the draft to acquire more youth and athleticism at cornerback.
Darien Porter is incredibly athletic and had a phenomenal year for the Cyclones. He has all of the physical tools to be a very good cornerback at the next level. Despite having fantastic speed and agility, he needs to be more consistent in his technique. Along with that, he needs to get stronger and pick up the nuances of the position. That’s a tough sell for a sixth-year prospect who is coming off his first season as a starter. The Commanders do have a player in Mike Sainristil that made the transition from receiver to corner in college, so he may assist Porter if Washington drafts him. With Lattimore, Jones, and Sainristil, there is no rush to start Porter while he improves his weaknesses. He can be a special teams ace for the Commanders until he’s ready to start at cornerback.