Rookie minicamp: Jermail Porter

One of the more intriguing story lines at Patriots rookie minicamp last week was offensive lineman Jermail Porter, the Kent State wrestling standout, who the Patriots signed as an undrafted free agent in hopes of duplicating their success with former collegiate grappler Stephen Neal.

The Globe's Chris Gasper detailed Porter's first foray into a new sport in Sunday's Globe.

The ultimate NFL neophyte, Porter never had so much as gotten in a three-point stance on a football field before the camp, which wraps up today. The 6-foot-5-inch, 310-pounder, signed as an undrafted free agent, looks the part of an NFL player, but he was an All-American wrestler for Kent State, finishing sixth in the heavyweight class at the 2009 NCAA Championships.

Porter is trying to follow in the footsteps of Patriots right guard Stephen Neal, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion and the 1999 heavyweight freestyle world champion who didn't play a down of college football but found a place in the NFL. One important distinction is that Neal played high school football. This is Porter's first foray into the sport.

"Yeah, it's definitely not easy," said Porter. "I just got to try to learn as much as I can in the time I have out here. I'm just trying to be a sponge."

Check out the video at the top of this entry to hear from Porter following the first day of minicamp last Friday, and to listen to Patriots coach Bill Belichick give his thoughts on Porter.

Previously featured rookies

• LB Tyrone McKenzie (South Florida)
  
• WR Julian Edelman (Kent State)
  
• DL Ron Brace (Boston College)
  
• CB Darius Butler (UConn)