OU commit Mukes learning from former Texas Tech corner Porter
CHOCTAW — Nearly a decade ago, Tre Porter lined up across f rom Oklahoma receiver Kenny Stills.
At the snap, Stills sprinted f orward 10 yards, made a break, then attempted to run downfield. But Porter, then a defensive back at Texas Tech, interrupted the route and i ntercepted t he pass. In a battle with one of OU's greatest receivers, Porter had used his technical skills to win the play.
It was one of many big plays Porter made throughout his time as a Red Raider.
After finishing his college career with 206 tackles, two i nterceptions, two forced f umbles, and t wo f umble recoveries, Porter became known for his technique and fundamental skills.
So when Jake Corbin saw social-media videos of Porter coaching, the Choctaw High coach gave Porter a call. Porter, a former Midwest City resident and Carl Albert football standout, joined the Yellowjackets coaching staff in June.
“When you have a chance to get a guy that loves kids first and foremost and secondly is really good at their job,” Corbin said. “We try to surround ourselves with those guys. Tre is one of the best technicians at defensive back, so it was a no-brainer to get him on as part of the program.”
Although all of the Choctaw defensive backs will benefit from having Porter on the sideline, OU commit Jordan Mukes can benefit the most as he'll have the chance to learn the technical skills many college coaches said he lacks.
Mukes, t he highly athletic 6-foot-4, 202-pound defensive back who didn't start playing football until his sophomore year, remembered showing his recruiting tape to college coaches last season and constantly receiving the same answer: He's fast, athletic and a hard hitter, but he needed to work on technique.
“Every coach I talk to loves me, they love how I play,” Mukes said. “They were like, `Man we can get you right. We know you've only been playing for a year. If we get you to sit down in your breaks and get you to read and know how to play inside hip, you'll be perfect.'”
It's why Mukes was ecstatic when he learned Porter was headed t o Choctaw High School.
“I needed a c oach t hat I could go t o every day,” Mukes said about having a defensive-back savvy coach to give him advice.
When Porter first saw Mukes' size and the way he played, he echoed the college coaches' message.
“He has so much potential,” Porter said.
He knew he could be of assistance.
Almost six years after his last snap at Texas Tech, Porter launched Porter Academy, a non-profit training program designed to give Oklahoma athletes high-caliber defensive back training.
Muke shasta ken full advantage of the program this summer. Nearly three times a week, he meets with Porter and works on his technique through drills and calisthenics. On Thursday, his training continued as the two met with others on the Choctaw turf field in nearly 90-degree heat.
“If he runs into you, he ain't coming inside, bam,” Porter told Mukes while turning to his left and jabbing his arms forward in a demonstration. “Now he's going outside and you can run with him.”
It was the same technique Porter used to snag his interception while battling Stills nearly a decade ago. If all goes to plan, Mukes will be doing the same against the state' s top receivers this season.