Andre Porter, left, and Donnell Porter pose for a photo Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. Liberty High School’s Andre Porter is following his father’s footsteps to UNLV football. Donnell Porter played safety for the Rebels for two seasons in the early 1990s. Andre Porter is one of three from Liberty who will sign a national letter of intent on Wednesday with UNLV.
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 | 2 a.m.
Andre Porter sat with his dad ahead of his senior year at Liberty High School and established a handful of goals.
Among them: Porter would strive to win a state championship in football or basketball, be a state player of the year in either sport, and earn a scholarship offer to the university the family adores — UNLV.
Don Porter was a hard-hitting safety for the Rebels in the early 1990s, and mom, Lauree, was a UNLV cheerleader. On Sept. 12, Andre was offered a scholarship by coach Barry Odom’s staff. He verbally committed two weeks later.
“Done deal once he got the offer,” said Don Porter, who played two seasons under coach Jim Strong.
Andre Porter, a linebacker and edge rusher, will officially become a Rebel today when he signs a letter of intent on national signing day. He’s one of seven locals, including three from state power Liberty, committing to the hometown university.
Odom has flipped the program’s fortunes in one season as head coach, leading them to a nine-win season for just the sixth time in history and a bowl-game appearance.
More important for locals: He’s delivered on a promise to aggressively recruit Las Vegas-area high schools. The seven prospects expected to sign today are the most for UNLV since a record eight locals signed in 2010.
Odom’s sincerity is what stood out, the family said.
“There is enough (talent) in Vegas to build the team around,” Andre Porter said. “He promised the opportunity to come in and compete.”
Don Porter played two years of safety for the UNLV football team in the early 1990s. His son, Andre, is set to join the program in 2024.
Don Porter stayed in Las Vegas after his UNLV playing days, earning a degree in criminal justice and starting a lengthy career as a juvenile probation officer for Clark County. There’s a pipeline of about a dozen former UNLV players working as probation officers.
He’s attended a handful of games annually over the years and stays in close contact with former teammates in a tight-knit Rebel alumni group. They previously held an annual alumni game — in pads — at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Needless to say, his son signing with UNLV is a “proud moment” for the family.
Andre Porter’s social media post announcing his commitment to the program included photos of him attending games as a child and a picture from his dad’s playing days. Like dad, Andre plans to wear jersey No. 42.
“UNLV was great to me. I played with a lot of good people and got a great education,” said Don Porter, who was the Big West Conference’s player of the week in 1992 after returning a blocked punt for a touchdown and recording an interception against Northern Arizona. “As a dad, you always want your son to be better than you. The culture (in the UNLV program) is way different now. He is going to have more opportunities.”
Those opportunities, such as playing home games at Allegiant Stadium, certainly add intrigue for the program. “There are some exciting times coming,” Andre Porter says.
Most high school athletes, especially Division I prospects like Andre Porter, specialize in one sport and play it year-round. He’s one of the few who is a standout in football and basketball.
Porter helped the Liberty football team reach the state championship game by recording 33 tackles (5.5 for a loss) and two sacks, and at tight end catching 31 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. He also accomplished one of his goals by not dropping any passes, he said.
In basketball, he averaged eight points and five rebounds per game last season as Liberty reached the state championship game. In 2022, he was part of the Patriots state title team as a sophomore.
Liberty tight end Andre Porter (2) tries to fend off a Bishop Gorman defensive back Brayton Correa (21) during the second half of the Class 5A Division I state championship football game at Allegiant Stadium Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023.
“I remember watching him play basketball (as a sophomore), and thinking, ‘Wow, this kid is good.’ He had a different type of athleticism,” Liberty football coach Rich Muraco said.
“You will see kids who play multiple sports, but to be one of the best players at multiple sports is truly special. Kids usually see what sport they are better at, and then spend time on that sport. He’s developed his basketball skills and football skills at the same time and become a force.”
Liberty linebacker Kahekili Paaoao and tight end Jae Beasley are also signing with the Rebels, which Muraco said is a testament to Odom and his staff being aggressive in reaching out to local high schools.
Liberty, after all, is a great place to start on the recruiting trail — UNLV freshman quarterback Jayden Maiava, the Mountain West Freshman of the Year, is a Liberty product.
On Odom’s first day as head coach, he went to Liberty and met with Muraco to detail his vision in a one-hour meeting.
“He laid out how he wants to do what a lot of good programs do in their states by keeping talent home,” Muraco said. “He also said they would make a presence on campus in recruiting, and they lived up to it. And not just at Liberty, Bishop Gorman or Desert Pines (where the top recruits are). They have coaches going to every school and building goodwill with coaches.”
Don Porter knows the history of the UNLV program well. He played in part of the lean years, but like many supporters, sensed better days were ahead. He said they simply needed the right coach — and that’s Odom.
“Look what he did in the first year. He’s the man,” Don Porter said. “He’s building (the program) right. It’s only going to get stronger.”
