Mickles: Porter ready for next test in the NFL

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Published: May 4, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Tracy Porter didn’t have a lot of time to celebrate being selected in the second round of the NFL draft last week.

Even though the former Port Allen High School three-sport star was thrilled to be chosen by the New Orleans Saints — the team he rooted for as a kid — he had some unfinished business waiting for him at Indiana University.

Final exams.

But Porter took his final test Thursday night, giving him a chance to bask in the spotlight before he reports to Saints rookie minicamp, which begins Friday.

Two nights after his last final, Porter couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. But it wasn’t only because he had completed the semester.

“I’m extremely happy about that,” Porter said of being chosen by the Saints with the 40th overall pick. “I haven’t been to a lot of their games, but I watch all of them on television.”

Needless to say, dozens of family members and friends who waited with him for the call to come were pleased at the outcome, too.

“They were very happy. They were cheering and screaming and yelling,” he said. “A number of them were saying that they were going to get season tickets to come down and support me. It was a very good feeling.

“I’m very enthusiastic about it. I’m coming down there to play for the home team and coming down there to win championships.”

But before he can even think about that, Porter knows there’s a lot of work to do. He was reminded of what’s expected of him when he got a phone call and text messages from one of his new teammates — fellow West Baton Rouge Parish resident Randall Gay.

Gay, a former Brusly High and LSU standout, signed with the Saints this offseason after spending his first four NFL seasons with the New England Patriots.

“He just wanted to make sure that I’m in shape and to make sure I’m taking care of business,” Porter said. “He wanted to give me a heads-up because camp will be rough. But that’s expected.”

As a result, Porter found time between studying and finals to get some workouts in to make sure he was in top shape for this week.