Interview: Talented 3-Star 2020 Alabama CB Omari Porter Talks Recruiting and Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Auburn High School was one of the top football programs in the great state of Alabama during the 2018 season. The Tigers took on 7A competition going 10-2 with a nasty defense that held opposing offenses to 11 points per contest on average. There throughout it all shutting down top receivers thus limiting options on the field for Auburn’s foes was Class of 2020 cornerback Omari Porter. The 6-1, 184-pound, playmaker went on the proverbial island playing man coverage coming up with 35 stops, 11 pass breakups, and two interceptions with one being a pick-six. The play on the field has attracted 17 offers with programs clamoring to get Porter on campus early and often. Beyond his play on the gridiron, Porter is a true student-athlete with a 4.15 cumulative GPA and a 26 scored on the ACT.
With Porter’s offseason workouts and recruiting process hotter than an Alabama summer, I sat down with the talented corner learning about his recruiting and play on the field.
Interview
Omari, the Tigers defense was not messing around during the 2018 season. You guys stuffed opposing 7A offenses only allowing 11 points per game. What made that unit so tough to gain an inch against?
“We had a real bond. We had a goal and we knew we wanted to be the best in state. The play of our defense was based on the 2017 season, they set the standard. Two years ago, we have four shutouts. They set that standard, and that was our consensus mindset on defense. We made sure we were getting our jobs done and executing. We had great senior leaders.”
What style of defense do you guys play and what was your role within the defensive scheme as a corner?
“At the beginning of the season we played a lot of two-reads and Cover 4, some man too. As the season progressed, then we switched more to a man and press man, a zero, and two-man two-free. It is the corner’s job is to make sure the passing game is taken care of. My job is to make plays on the ball against the pass and in the run game to contain on the outside and force everything inside. We had great linebackers last season. I just forced everything back inside to them if I didn’t get to the ball first.”
How did you improve upon your skills throughout the 2018 campaign?
“It came with reps, honestly. I had a base from the summer. Each week I would try to improve on some part of my game. My press improved a lot as did being patient at the line, jamming with the right hand and my eye discipline. I got reps against good receivers and I was focused in practice, that helped me progress.”
Going into the offseason, what do see are the strengths to your abilities on the field?
“At the line I can be physical with press man, being patient, playing with my feet, and having everything connected – my hands, feet, and eyes. I am a lover of the game – I am studying offenses, receivers, and their tendencies.”
What are you working on this spring?
“I am working on my off-man and zone coverage, we do not do a lot of that during the season. Overall, I am working on my breaks, coming in and out of them, and starting and stopping efficiently. You make your money on how fast you get out of your breaks and how fluid you can be.”
Have you attended any national camps this offseason?
“Yes. I attended the Under Armour All-American camp two weeks ago. I am going to a Nike Opening Regional and to a Rivals camp in three next week.”
How did the Under Armour camp go?
“It went well. I won all my reps. I did really well actually. I did well in my one-on-ones, with my ball skills, and the 7v7 portion was fun. My actual 7v7 team, a lot of those guys were out there. We took that chemistry out there to the camp. We performed well.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered just yet?
“Tennessee, Mississippi State, Duke, Louisville, and Yale are showing interest.”
How many offers do you have now?
“I have 17 offers.”
Porter’s Reported Offer Sheet (17): Alabama-Birmingham, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan, Oregon, Purdue, Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Virginia
Which schools have you unofficially visited this offseason?
“In 2019, I have visited Michigan, Iowa and Stanford.”
The Michigan trip, how did that go?
“It went well. I like what they are doing on defense with Coach (Don) Brown (DC). I liked their facilities. I liked the academic piece to the program as well. They want you to be successful on and off the field. They want you to be successful without football, that stuck out to me.”
And Iowa, how did that visit go?
“It went well. Those three schools, they are all top academic institutions. Iowa instills how to work hard and have grit. Coach (Phil) Parker (DC) and Coach (Kirk) Ferentz (HC), they are doing a great job at Iowa. There is stability there. They want you to be successful and prepared for life after football as well. All the players there are at Iowa for same purpose, receiving an education and playing top of the line college football.”
And finally, the Stanford visit, tell me about that one if you will?
“It went well. All the schools were great. I knew what I was expecting with the academics at Stanford. The campus was great. It was great hanging out with the guys on the team, they are all great people. They have a great staff and great coaches as well. Stanford is Power 5 football, it is great.”
Do you have any planned visits ahead?
“I am going to Kentucky, Colorado, and Kansas.”
With all that you have going on, what do you do away from school and sports for fun?
“I am always busy with sports, but with my free time I try to hang out with friends, see a movie, or rest and recover. Recovering is an important part of football. I try to sleep whenever I can.”
I hear you. Omari, it was great learning more about you and your play on the field today. I appreciate your time and wish you luck on your upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Porter family; Omari Porter at Michigan and Iowa