2 weeks Ago
Darien Porter started his career at Iowa State on offense. He switched to defense midstream and soon will be playing in the NFL. The former multi-sport standout at Bettendorf is coming off the marquee game of his career, so far.
The 6-4, 200-pounder speedster had two interceptions and broke up a two-point conversion pass in the Cyclones’ upset win at Iowa on Sept. 7. The text messages and shoutouts came hot and heavy after his performance, which drew acclaim from more than just family and friends.
The 2019 Bettendorf High School grad was named the East-West Shrine Bowl’s Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. “Being from the Quad Cities and knowing how much that game means to so many people, that did make it very meaningful,” Porter said. “I heard from a lot of people that they were watching the game.
To be able to play a part in that, most importantly for our team to win the game, it was a special day.” In his sixth season with the Cyclones, the 23-year-old made his impact on the Iowa State program long before his big game against the Hawkeyes. He is one of just three players in Iowa State history with three or more blocked kicks.
He has played in every Cyclone game since 2020, making the switch from wide receiver to defensive back prior to the 2022 season. Porter has his degree from ISU in public relations, earning All-Big 12 academic honors multiple times. This fall he's taking classes in communications for what he hopes is a career in media after his playing days are over.
Additionally, Porter was Iowa State's nominee for the prestigious All-State AFCA Good Works Team last year, which goes to athletes that excel not only on the field, but also in the community. “I’ve always thought it’s important, being a student-athlete, to be active in the local community and give back in any way you can,” said Porter, who has volunteered at Ames and Des Moines area schools and food shelters, among other endeavors. “Whatever platform I have, I’ve tried to use it in a positive way.
” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell believes Porter has a “really, really bright future playing football for a long time,” but said his value goes well beyond what he brings between the white lines. “He’s the most selfless, most incredible human on our football team,” Campbell said recently. “Darien, and what he has meant to our program, he does all the hard things really, really well and that’s what makes him really, really special.
” Porter’s selflessness was never more evident than when he switched from offense to defense after playing in all 25 ISU games in 2020 and 2021, primarily on special teams. “It was tough because I’d already put three years into being a receiver. But with the help of my coaches and my teammates, who never gave up on me throughout the whole process, they gave me the confidence that I could do it," he said.
One of his biggest mentors was T.J. Tampa, an All-American last season for the Cyclones, who was picked in the fourth round of the most recent NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
“T.J. is just a great friend and a great person,” Porter said.
“Having a guy like that as a mentor was just a tremendous blessing.” As for his own NFL future, Porter is “not looking too far ahead,” believing that if he plays up to his expectations, “those things will take care of themselves.” His main focus is on the season where the Cyclones are 2-0 and ranked (20th) for the first time since the 2021 season.
Iowa State hosts Arkansas State (2-1) on Saturday at 1 p.m., before beginning Big 12 play at Houston on Sept.
28. “I think this team can take it however far we want to take it as long as we continue to do the work every day and continue to improve,” Porter said. "It starts with winning the Big 12, that’s certainly our goal, and then getting into the playoffs and ultimately a national championship, of course only one team can do that, but I think with team we have, we’d be selling ourselves short not to believe those things are possible.
” Porter, who grew up a fan of the St. Louis, now Los Angeles, Rams, moved to the Quad Cities from Memphis, Tennessee, when he was 13 years old. No matter what comes next, this will always be home.
“I’m very passionate about the Quad Cities area,” he said. “Ever since I moved there, I met so many great people from coaches, to teachers, to all my friends, that had a huge, positive impact on my life. “To be able to represent the Quad Cities means a lot to me and it's something I take a lot of pride in.
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