Terrell Porter's Football Career Will Continue

Editor's note: Subsequent to this article's publication, Terrell Porter changed his mind about where he'll play football after high school. to read more.

Terrell Porter is officially a college-bound student-athlete.

The senior signed and submitted his National Junior College Athletic Association Letter of Intent on Monday.

Porter has committed to continue his education and football playing career in the fall at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, IA, coach Kevin Twait confirmed.

When Porter failed to meet the academic standards necessary to play at a four-year, Division I institution, former Berkley coach Jim MacDougall began knocking on doors.

Iowa Central responded and liked what Porter had to offer.

“He’s a very, very gifted athlete,” Twait said via phone. “We think this is very evident from seeing him play on the DVDs coach MacDougall sent. Coach MacDougall personally called me and highly recommended Terrell as a person of high character and someone who will do a good job socially on campus, not just footballwise, but make good choices on and off the field.”

Porter will give Iowa Central several options in terms of what positions he can play.

“Initially, we’ll look at him to play tailback for us,” Twait said. “A lot of four-year schools were recruiting him on defense as a safety or outside linebacker. We’ll probably look at him at running back initially and see what transpires from there.

"We know one thing, an athlete like that is going to find a spot to play," he said.

On the field, Porter rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of his sophomore, junior and senior campaigns for the Bears.

“Terrell has been an outstanding player for Berkley Bears football program,” Berkley athletic director Ron Kane said. “I believe he will excel at the next level, and the program he decides to play for will be lucky to have him both on and off the field.”

Porter scored 32 touchdowns and rushed for more than 1,500 yards while leading Berkley to a second-round playoff appearance in 2010. He was selected as an all-state first-team member for Division 1-2 football this past season.

“I haven’t had a chance to meet Terrell personally, but from what I have seen on film, he is the real deal,” said Berkley's new head football coach, Jeff Burnside, who was an assistant for 10 years at Novi prior to taking over the Bears. “I am glad he is going to a community college to play. It seems, from what I have heard, he is heading in the right direction academically, so hopefully, he will only have a short stay before heading on to D-1.”

Twait said he’s accustomed to fielding players who need to improve their academic standards before transferring to the next level.

As a result, football players are required to spend four hours per week in the tutor sessions that are available on campus. In addition, freshman players must attend a two-hour study table on Mondays.

Additional tutoring is available to student-athletes from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. if necessary, according to Twait.

“This is not our first rodeo here,” said Twait, who will begin his 16th season with Iowa Central in the fall. “We had 77 guys in the last 10 years go on to a Division I or I-AA school on a full scholarship. A lot needed to go to a community college before going on to a four-year school.”

Despite taking at-risk academic students, Twait said 55 players on last season’s squad posted a 3.0 or higher grade-point average. Talentwise, the Tritons have won their past five bowl game appearances and have been ranked in the top 10 nationally for the past five seasons.

According to the NJCAA website, 71 community colleges have football programs. The only community college in Michigan with a football team is Grand Rapids Community College, which also was recruiting Porter.

Porter said previously that he liked the Iowa Central setup with dorms on campus. Plus, his mother lives and works nearby in Des Moines.

He could not be reached for comment Monday night, but he has said he plans to improve his academic status and eventually transfer to a Division I program.

“That’s his goal, and we want to help kids achieve their goals,” Twait said. “Terrell’s goal is to get a two-year degree and then transfer and continue to play football. There’s no question that will happen for him.”