The 2023 NFL Draft is just around the corner.

On Monday night, ESPN’s annual “Hey, Rookie: Welcome To The NFL” aired, and it featured former Penn State football star Joey Porter Jr.

Porter joins the likes of Micah Parsons and Jahan Dotson as Penn Staters to be featured in the special. Porter declared for the 2023 draft after concluding his fourth season for the blue and white, opting out of the Rose Bowl in the process.

The special’s opening scene focuses on Porter’s history with the game of football. He recounted his earliest memory of the sport, as he was five years old and cried in his first training session. This prompted his dad, former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion Joey Porter, to deny him the chance to continue. Yet, the young Porter was resilient.

“I remember going back home crying to him, ‘At least give me another shot, give me one more chance.'” Porter said.

.@JoeyPorterJr is no stranger to an NFL locker room #HeyRookie pic.twitter.com/zSIXObb2SN

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) April 10, 2023

Being surrounded by his father, Porter was impacted by the game. Porter Sr. always pushed his son, helping him reach an elite level. Porter came out of high school as a four-star recruit, being the No. 1-ranked player in the state of Pennsylvania.

This high school success brought in a lot of offers from major schools. Although, he didn’t receive an offer from his dream school, Ohio State, which put a chip on his shoulder. This was one of the deciding factors in his decision to choose Penn State. The other factor was his love for Happy Valley.

“I’m gonna go somewhere close to play them every year — just to show them why I’m good,” Porter said. “That was really one of my big things. Also, I fell in love with the school of Penn State.”

Due to his elite talent and play, Porter could be the first-ever defensive back from Penn State drafted in the first round. Last season, he didn’t allow a single touchdown on 275 snaps, as he was targeted 30 times and only allowed 15 receptions for 143 yards.

“To be able to cover a guy and shut them down the whole game, that’s my motto,” Porter explained. “I’m gonna have him all day, and he’s not gonna get anything, and that’s what I shoot for.”

To further establish himself, Porter wanted to impress with his 40-yard dash time, which was a question due to his tall frame. As the 2023 combine passed, Porter managed to register a solid 4.46 40-yard dash time.

“I got big goals that I’m trying to strive for, but I feel like I can do that,” Porter said confidently.

You can see more of Porter’s journey to the NFL Draft on the next episode of “Hey, Rookie,” which is set to premiere at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, on ESPN2.