No experience necessary: KSU's Porter going to Patriots

By Jonas Fortune

April 27, 2009

Just one month ago Kent State senior wrestler Jermail Porter earned All-American status at the 2009 NCAA Championships in St. Louis, The first Kent State wrestler to do so since 1986.

It was what happened the week leading up to the finals though that changed his future.

Kent State assistant football coach Larry McDaniel approached the former Firestone High School graduate about playing professional football after his college-wrestling career ended.

''It was unexpected for me,'' Porter said in a phone interview. ''It's a new adventure.''

Apparently the New England Patriots had the same thoughts about the 6-foot-6, 312-pound heavyweight. Porter has reached an agreement with the Patriots as a non-drafted free agent, and potential offensive lineman.

The deal is not official yet, as Porter, who is waiting for the contract to be mailed to him. He is already scheduled to participate in the Patriot's rookie camp Thursday through Sunday.

The Patriots could not be a better fit for Porter, who said he has always been interested in playing football, but never played for an organized team; college, high school, or otherwise.

Patriots starting guard Stephen Neal is a former college wrestler, who did not play college football. Neal won two NCAA titles at Cal State-Bakersfield and won the Dan Hodge Award, Wrestling's Heisman Trophy, in 1999.

''It is one of the things I am so excited because they have such good teachers there,'' Porter said.

It doesn't hurt that he and Neal share the same agent in Neil Cornrich.

For the past several weeks Porter has been working with the Kent State football staff in preparation for the draft.

''The training wasn't that different, just fine tuning the mechanics from wrestling to football,'' Porter said. ''Most of it is stuff I am already equipped to do from wrestling.''

Sports Illustrated "Loves" Dolphins' Draft Pick Brian Hartline

From Peter King's "Monday Morning Quarterback," April 27, 2009

Miami. Love Pat White; great pick to run the option. (And stop the silliness, Dolphins, about White having a good shot to beat out Chad Henne as the successor to Chad Pennington. I'm not buying it for a second.) One of the most intriguing prospects of this, or any, draft came in round four: 6-4 corner Sean Smith from Utah ... One guy I'd watch closely in camp is Brian Hartline, the round-four receiver, because he played special-teams for three years at Ohio State, played slot receiver and split receiver. He's a fascinating prospect.

Ten Things I Think I Think

• I don't like Brian Hartline to the Dolphins in the fourth round. I love it.

NC Sports Clients Washington, Hartline selected in NFL draft

Seven Buckeyes go in draft

April 27, 2009

By Doug Lesmerises

When USC drummed Ohio State, 35-3, last September, the game was like an NFL exhibition. Over the weekend in the NFL Draft, the Trojans beat the Buckeyes again, but no other school did.

With cornerback Donald Washington (Kansas City) and receiver Brian Hartline (Miami) selected in the fourth round Sunday and linebacker Marcus Freeman taken in the fifth round (Chicago), Ohio State finished with seven players taken in the seven-round draft, after Malcolm Jenkins and Chris "Beanie" Wells went in Saturday's first round and James Laurinaitis and Brian Robiskie went in the second.

That tied Oregon State and South Carolina for the second-most picks, behind the 11 the Trojans produced, including eight on the defensive side. No wonder Ohio State didn't score a touchdown in that game.

But the day ended without a selection for OSU offensive tackle Alex Boone, defensive tackle Nader Abdallah and quarterback Todd Boeckman. Boone, a Lakewood St. Edward grad, signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers shortly after the draft.

"It was a humbling experience, that's for sure," Boone said of watching the draft all day. He was projected as a high pick before his senior season at Ohio State, but saw his status affected by an arrest in California for public intoxication before the NFL Combine.

"I learned some lessons the hard way," Boone said. "But the 49ers called and were very interested and pushing for me, and right now it's the best fit for me."

Freeman was picked, but he also waited and went lower than many expected.

"You go through a mixture of emotions," Freeman said after he was the 17th linebacker selected and the 154th overall pick. "Once you get out of the first couple of rounds you go from excited to anxious to nervous to disappointed. But once it's over, it's over, and your emotions go out the window and you're relieved to be able to go and play."

Washington, pick No. 102, and Hartline, No. 108, had to be somewhat satisfied with their positions after they had turned heads at the NFL Combine, Washington with his vertical jump and athleticism and Hartline with his agility and quickness.

Kansas City coach Todd Haley said the Chiefs thought about moving up to get Washington in the third round and were happy he fell to them in the fourth. Washington was suspended for two games for violating OSU team rules last season, but Haley said the Chiefs put that to rest after meeting with Washington for a day-and-a-half and talking extensively with OSU coaches and agent Neil Cornrich before the draft.

"He's a very good athlete, I mean very good," Haley said at a news conference in Kansas City. "I think he's under the radar just a little bit because he didn't start full time last year."

Hartline is expected to work in as a slot receiver, though Miami selected one of those USC players, receiver Patrick Turner, ahead of him in the third round. Hartline should also be a special teamer with the Dolphins, telling reporters on a conference call that he liked "cracking heads" on kick coverage. He'll join fellow former Cleveland Glenville High and OSU receiver Ted Ginn Jr. in Miami, though he said his best NFL comparison is his OSU mentor, Cleveland St. Ignatius graduate Anthony Gonzalez of the Indianapolis Colts.

Considering both Washington and Hartline surprised some fans by turning pro as juniors, they at least didn't have to wait too long on the draft's second day.

"After I went to the combine I felt a lot better about my decision," Hartline said on a conference call. "It worked out. It's hard to justify what exactly made me decide to further my career [in the NFL], but Ohio State was great to me, and hopefully one day I can repay the favor."