October 23, 2026 - 12:21 pm

If Darien Porter could change positions as a fourth-year junior at Iowa State, of course he could handle a coaching change with the Las Vegas Raiders and the challenges with it. First-year coach Klint Kubiak summoned the second-year cornerback to a meeting in April, issuing his expectations.

Porter heard him loud and clear.

“He pushed me to be more of a leader and … to keep striving to reach my potential,” Porter remembered Thursday at Intermountain Health Performance Center. “I’m really thankful for that. It’s something I do every day, and it doesn’t hurt to have a little encouragement along the way.”

A starter to cap his rookie season and a starter atop his sophomore season, Porter didn’t waver after losing his job to Hezekiah Masses for a couple of weeks.…