As the Raiders' 2025 draft picks go through their first NFL training camp, Raiders.com's Levi Edwards is sitting down with each player for a Q&A.
The next rookie to be highlighted is third-round pick Darien Porter
Levi Edwards: As an Iowa native, what are some things about your home state you'd want people to know?
Darien Porter: "That people actually do live there. I think people just think Iowa is a bunch of cornfields, but there's a lot of great athletes from the state of Iowa. We may not be Florida or Georgia or California but we've got good football and good athletics in Iowa. Don't sleep on us."
LE: As you mentioned, Iowa has produced some great athletes. So what's your Mount Rushmore of Iowa-born athletes?
DP: "Seth Rollins, Allen Lazard, Tristan Wirfs and Darien Porter."
LE: In high school you were a multi-sport athlete, also excelling in track. How did running track help you in football?
DP: "There's certain things you can't teach and one of them is speed. Track was helpful in that but I think a lot of the training that I did for track and football, it's all power related. You can't just be fast, you've got to be powerful too."
LE: You went from playing wide receiver your whole life to switching to cornerback your junior season of college. What went into that decision?
DP: "It was really a coaching decision. We had a cornerback, TJ Tampa, who got drafted in the fourth-round last year, he went through that same transition when he got to Iowa State. Even though it took me a couple of years, Coach [Matt] Campbell thought I could see that same type of success [Tampa] had, just with the athletic ability that I had. So he asked me if I'd be willing to do it and I said I'd be more than happy to."
LE: When did things really start to click for you as a cornerback?
DP: "That spring going into my last season, my confidence was high. I felt like I progressed technically to be in a good spot. I knew it wasn't where I wanted to be or needed to be, but I felt I was in a good place to take off and that's kind of what ended up happening."
LE: Was it a surprise when the Raiders drafted you?
DP: "Looking back on it I tell people this, it was a surprise but when I thought about it – it really wasn't. I talked to the Raiders once pre-draft, post-Combine. I thought other teams were more interested, but seeing what Coach Carroll likes in his defensive backs, in hindsight it wasn't a surprise at all. But I am very thankful to be in this position, learning from a guy like Coach Carroll, learning from a guy like Coach [Joe] Woods. I couldn't have landed in a more perfect spot for someone like me."
Take a look at photos from the Silver and Black's 2025 Training Camp open practice at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant quarterbacks coach/game manager Nate Carroll arrives at Allegiant Stadium for a 2025 Training Camp mock game.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) arrives at Allegiant Stadium for a 2025 Training Camp mock game.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) arrives at Allegiant Stadium for a 2025 Training Camp mock game.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) arrives at Allegiant Stadium for a 2025 Training Camp mock game.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dalton Wagner (78) arrives at Allegiant Stadium for a 2025 Training Camp mock game.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) arrives at Allegiant Stadium for a 2025 Training Camp mock game.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) arrives at Allegiant Stadium for a 2025 Training Camp mock game.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) arrives at Allegiant Stadium for a 2025 Training Camp mock game.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jamal Adams (33) arrives at Allegiant Stadium for a 2025 Training Camp mock game.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek and Head Coach Pete Carroll before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) on the bench before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Parker Clements (70) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) leads a huddle before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll with fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll takes a selfie with fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll with fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll signs autographs for fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) walks down the tunnel before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders walk down the tunnel before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders returners huddle in the tunnel before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2), running back Chris Collier (35) and running back Sincere McCormick (28) high five fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) high fives fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Chris Collier (35) and wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) high five fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) walks down the tunnel before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) walks down the tunnel before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) high fives fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) high fives fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Chris Collier (35) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and quarterback Geno Smith (7) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) leads a huddle before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) and tight ends coach Luke Steckel before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback John Humphrey (39) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and linebacker Devin White (45) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) warming up before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady and General Manager John Spytek before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders fans before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Atonio Mafi (56) enters the field before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) enters the field before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) enters the field before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) enters the field before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) enters the field before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) and quarterback Geno Smith (7) walk out to the center of the field for the coin toss before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) and quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the coin toss before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) and quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the coin toss before a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7), center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) and cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety JT Woods (40) and wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) and tight end Brock Bowers (89) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) and tight end Brock Bowers (89) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and tight end Ian Thomas (80) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60), defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and guard Caleb Rogers (76) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) and cornerback Dairen Porter (26) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) and cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Cappa (65) and tight end Brock Bowers (89) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) and tight end Brock Bowers (89) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Parker Clements (70) and quarterback Cam Miller (5) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3), wide receiver Phillips Dorsett II (13) and center Will Putnam (67) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) and wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) and wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders fans during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and minority owner Tom Brady on the bench during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45), tight end Qadir Ismail (84) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) and center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) and wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) and guard Caleb Rogers (76) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) and running back Zamir White (3) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) and guard Dylan Parham (66) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) and wide receiver Phillips Dorsett II (13) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) and wide receiver Phillips Dorsett II (13) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) and wide receiver Phillips Dorsett II (13) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) and wide receiver Phillips Dorsett II (13) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) and quarterback Geno Smith (7) during a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle after a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) signs autographs for fans after a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) signs autographs for fans after a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll speaks to the media after a 2025 Training Camp mock game at Allegiant Stadium.
