Penn State Football has never had a defensive back chosen in the first-round of the NFL Draft, but that could be about to change this April.

Nittany Lions defensive back Joey Porter. Jr. is widely projected to be a first-round selection, with some projections having him chosen as high as the top-15 picks.

Brown, along with safety Ji’Ayir Brown played a combined 657 coverage snaps in the Penn State Football secondary this season, without allowing a passing touchdown.

Penn State had two DB’s declare for the Draft:

• Joey Porter Jr (CB)
• Ji’Ayir Brown (S)

Between the two of them, they played 657 coverage snaps this season.

0 TD’s were allowed.

PSU has never had a DB selected in the first round of the Draft.

This year may be different 👀 pic.twitter.com/wyQM86Kvdj

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) January 28, 2023

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Widely viewed as one of the Lions’ most respected defensive leaders, Brown finished the 2022 campaign with 74 total tackles, 4 interceptions, and added a career-high 4.5 sacks along with 7.0 tackles for loss.

Meanwhile, Porter Jr. capped his junior campaign with 27 total tackles, one fumble recovery, and eight pass breakups, prior to foregoing his senior season and declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

“Joey Porter Jr. is a big-time prospect and he’ll definitely be a first-round pick,” an NFC personnel executive told Heavy Sports’ Matt Lombardo. “He’s legit. He’s easily Penn State’s best NFL prospect, and a starting caliber NFL corner.”

Brown will appear in the 2023 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., getting an opportunity to boost his draft stock in front of top NFL evaluators and coaches.

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