Interview: Offer Sheet for Robinson 2017 DE David Porter Set to Grow once Season Kicks Off

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The recruiting trail is full of the skittish types. More times than not, college team after college team plays follow the leader on a recruit on offers or waits until the lightbulb finally goes off on the talent any given player possesses out of need. Robinson High School’s defensive end David Porter has six Division-I offer but expect that list to double quickly once the 2016 season gets into action.

Recruiting talk from coaches includes lines like spring evaluation period, camp evaluation, or senior year evaluation. Deep down the coaches know what they have in a given player but are holding back for various reasons wanting to see more film once the season is underway. For some this tactic makes sense, for others like Porter, it seems like a waste of time.

Porter jumped onto the scene full-tilt in 2015 rocking Arkansas 4A competition for 91 tackles, 31 solo, 17 tackles for a loss, and 11 sacks. He added to his stat line with a fumble recovery for a touchdown, a pass deflection, and blocked two field goals to further help keep points off the board.

The wise souls to see Porter’s talents without the need for excuses includes Louisiana Tech, Kansas State, Iowa State, Colorado State, Louisiana-Monroe, and Memphis. Some of the teams needing a little more time includes Arkansas and Texas A&M with a long list of coaches keeping a close eye.

For those readers not from the Natural State, Robinson is the real deal this year with top talent all over the roster. Their 6-3.5, 245 pound, end is one of the leaders on the team who will help the squad push deep into the playoffs if not challenge for a state title. As sure as paying taxes, Porter’s stat line will be impressive and gaudy at the same time especially with extra games coming on the schedule in the post-season.

As the frenzy for top 2017 players are needed to fill out various recruiting classes, college coaches will have no choice but to make Porter a priority in the coming months. In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Porter for an off-season catch-up interview getting insight to Robinson’s 2016 team and a recruiting news update.

Interview

David, you’re always a busy man. What have you been working on this off-season to prepare for your senior year?

“I got faster and my bench max went up 20 pounds. Getting stronger was one of my goals. Getting faster was a goal too. I ran a 4.7 at an Arkansas camp. Getting stronger and faster were the main things I worked on and I got good results.”

Nice. From a technique standpoint, what all did you work on over the summer?

“I worked on using hands more and staying low off the snap. Everything I learned at the camps I have added to my practices. I’m making using those techniques a habit. I learned a lot this summer.”

You mentioned camps, which college camps did you go to this summer?

“At the beginning of the summer I went to an Arkansas Razorbacks camp. That was fun. I learned a lot there. I think I impressed Coach (Bret) Bielema. I also went to a Louisiana Tech camp. That was a lot of fun. Hunter Swoboda (2018 LB/TE), Nathan Page (2018 WR/FS/ATH), and I camped there. We opened a lot of eyes there.

“We went to an ISU (Iowa State) camp at the end of the summer. They are really interested in me. That was a great experience. Nathan and Hunter went there too. They said we were the Top 3 at the camp or among the Top 3. That was cool. I also went to a Texas A&M camp with Nathan and Coach (Brian) Maupin. They are going to watch us throughout the season to see what we can do. They were impressed too.”

Of all the camps you went to, which camp did you perform your best?

“It had to be the Arkansas camp. Even Coach Bielema said ‘wow, he’s doing a great job.’ We did one-on-ones at the camp, I did not lose once. I was going up against big offensive tackles, much bigger than me. I listened to Coach Maupin and let my aggressiveness take over.”

Did you take any unofficial visits this summer?

“We visited the campuses where we attended camps. Some of us went down to ULM (Louisiana-Monroe) for a visit.”

Do you have any visits planned for the fall or winter?

“I believe we are going to start taking officials in September. I’m not sure where yet. I try not to think about that too much. I’m focused on my high school team and winning a state championship. I’ll figure it out sooner or later.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have six but more are on the way.”

Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Texas A&M and Arkansas are showing interest. There are some schools and coaches that follow me on Twitter kind of keeping their distance, so I am not really sure.”

Of the schools that have offered you, you mentioned ISU really likes you, which other schools are pushing hard for you?

“Louisiana Tech – they are pushing hard. They sent me an official offer in the mail. That was really cool. Colorado State, I am in contact with their coach a lot. ISU has just started showing interest since the camp. Coach Maupin has been talking to Coach (Barry) Lunney (Arkansas tight ends coach) for me.”

When did you guys start fall practices?

“We were in full-pads on Monday.”

Which positions will you be playing this year?

“End and offensive tackle.”

Are you going to start at tackle?

“Yes sir. Both me and Grant Patterson, he’s one of our defensive tackles, will be starting both ways. He’s playing at guard. I think that’s pretty cool.”

Are you ready for the grind of the season going both ways?

“Definitely. It’ll make us better.”

How do the Senators look so far in practice?

“Oh! We made a ton of progress this summer. Of course we have a lot to work on, we are still making mistakes, but we are making less and less every day. We are developing that team chemistry. I think that will help us go far. I think we look like a state championship caliber team.”

I believe you.

(Laughs)

Are there any games on the schedule you are pumped to play right now?

“I’m ready to play Nashville (Oct. 7). Everyone says they are going to beat us and tell us that’s the one team we can’t beat. That’s annoying. I want to show everyone we can handle them. We have a lot to prove this year. I want to play Ashdown (Oct. 28). Montaric Brown (Arkansas safety commit), everyone thinks he’s going to shut us down. I’m ready for the season.”

David, thanks for your time today and good luck with the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Porter family; David Porter at Louisiana Tech.

Photo credit: Porter family; David Porter at Iowa State.