After Louisville official, three leading teams emerge for four-star DL Xavier Porter
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The recruiting process is far from over for Xavier Porter (6-4, 275), but the Tampa Catholic defensive lineman is closer to the end of his journey than somewhere in the middle. After 37 offers have been dropped, the four-star has taken one official visit with two more set narrowing his focus along the recruiting trail.
The first trip on a college’s dime is in the books.
“I took my first this past weekend to Louisville,” Porter said. “It was pretty good. I looked at the school outside of football; they are always a consistent winning team in the ACC. Outside of football, Louisville is a big town, it would be a great spot.”
Porter spoke about the activities during the visit, “When we first got there, we went bowling. They took us out to dinner and the next day we went with our host. We chilled with our host most of the time. We took a tour of the city. There was a lot going on, it was great.”
The extra time in the facilities allowed the Cardinals’ coaching staff to detail Porter’s potential role in the scheme.
“Coach (Mark) Hagen (DL) and coach (Mark) Ivey (LB), we were building a stronger relationship,” Porter shared. “We talked about what I would play in their defense and how versatile I could be for them. I really think I fit their scheme.”
More information was provided on how Louisville would utilize Porter’s abilities.
“They want me to play as a 3-tech, and maybe some 4-I and 5-tech,” Porter stated. “I will get bigger. They want to use my versatility. They see me playing anywhere on the line but 90 percent of the time I will be a 3-tech, and then a 4- or 5-tech.”
The next official visit is with Penn State starting on June 11.
“Penn State has a great coaching staff, a great family environment, and great academics,” Porter said. “I am going up there to see how I would fit in their scheme, and I want to see what it is like outside of football. I want to see what the town is like outside of football season.”
After being in Happy Valley, Porter heads to Lawrence on June 15 to hang with the Jayhawks.
“They are a program coming up these past three years,” Porter shared. “I like coach “P” (Jim Panagos – DT). He has a proven track record. With Kansas, it is the same things as Penn State, I have to go up there to see how I would fit in their system and learn how coach P would use me.”
If a fit is not found after the three official visits, there are other contenders to host Porter this summer.
“I might go to NC State or Indiana if I do not have my mind made up,” Porter stated.
Going into the final two set official trips, Porter is clear where he stands. Asked if Louisville, Penn State, and Kansas are his top schools, Porter replied, “Yes, they are my top schools for right now.”