Penn State’s defense received a Christmas gift early Saturday morning when cornerback Joey Porter Jr. announced that he will return in 2022 for his fourth season.

“Playing for Penn State University these past three seasons has been a gift and an honor,” Porter Jr. wrote in a statement. “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.”

As one of the team’s starting cornerbacks, Porter Jr. was a strong contributor for the Nittany Lions’ defense this season. He recorded 49 tackles, four defended passes, and a forced fumble. His first career interception against Indiana.

Next season, Porter Jr. will work alongside veteran defensive backs Ji’Ayir Brown and Jonathan Sutherland, who both announced intentions to return last week. The Nittany Lions boasted the Big Ten’s sixth-ranked total defense in 2021, and with multiple returning stars, that could improve despite the departures of linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks.

The son of a 13-season veteran of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Porter Jr. earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention and a third-team All-Big Ten honor over the last two seasons, respectively.