Aptos star Ella Porter commits to Cal Poly-SLO's first-year flag football program

Flag football star Ella Porter, who competed professionally with the Golden State Storm after shining for four seasons at Aptos High, continues to make HERstory.

The recent Mariners graduate, the reigning Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League MVP, has committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and will be a preferred walk-on for the Mustangs in their inaugural season.

She's elated to join a program that is headed by longtime tackle and flag football coach Rod Sherman and his equally established wife, Kristen.

"It's amazing," Porter said. "I never expected to be here. It's a credit to all the people who helped me a long the way. It's an amazing opportunity to be on Cal Poly's first team. I'm really excited."

Porter gushed about her future coaches. Sherman, who was hired on March 3, served as assistant and offensive coordinator for his wife, the head coach, at Southern Section power Orange Lutheran over the past three years.

Sherman has also coached the Lancers' tackle football program from 2021-25 and led them to a section title. (He was also the head coach at Valor Christian High in Colorado from 2012-17 and won three state titles with current 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey leading the backfield.)

Sherman offered a roster spot to Porter after seeing her shine for the Storm at the Sin City Bowl in Las Vegas on March 20-22. Porter, who posted a 4.5 grade-point average at Aptos, applied to the majority of the schools in the University of California system, plus Cal Poly, which was at the top of her list.

The fact that she got accepted and had a spot waiting for her on the flag roster made for an easy decision.

"This is an opportunity I cant pass up, an opportunity I can't miss," she said.

She plans to major in biology.

Porter, who played slot receiver, running back and cornerback for the Storm in an unpaid capacity, will likely be used at running back for the Mustangs. Last season, she shined at quarterback for the Mariners, leading them to the SCCAL title and a berth in the inaugural Central Coast Section playoffs.

"I want to be helpful any way I can," Porter said. "Wherever he puts me, I'll give my heart to."

Porter said she's honored to have been selected by the Shermans to join the program.

"They've recruited some really amazing athletes," she said. "They're pulling the best of the best from all over the nation, and it's an honor to be a part of this well though out, planned out, high-level team."

Porter next competes for the Storm, an expansion team based in San Francisco, in the Women's National Football Conference Tournament in Frisco, Texas, on June 20-21.

Santa Cruz's Reggie Stephens, an ex-NFLer who serves on the Storm's Board of Advisors, said Cal Poly is getting a heck of a player.

Stephens, who trains area high school and college athletes through the Reggie Stephens Foundation, said he's never had a female athlete put in the work that Porter did.

"Her preparation is undeniable," he said. "She just works, man."

Stephens rattled of a handful of teams and clubs that Porter participated for and offered, "She always finds a way to rise to the top."

For that reason, he believes Cal Poly-SLO will eventually offer Porter athletic financial aide.

Said Aptos flag football coach Denise Calafato Russo, after Porter was chosen league MVP: "She is driven to succeed. Nobody pushes Ella more than Ella, and her standard for her personal performance is exceptionally high."

As a Mariners senior, Porter completed 187 of 316 passes for 1,598 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Mariners (12-6-1 overall, 10-0 league). A dual-threat athlete, she also had 148 carries for 1,441 yards and 27 touchdowns. In limited action as a defensive back, she made eight tackles and two interceptions.

She was honored as 49ers Foundation's Tony York Unity Award finalist for exemplifying dedication, leadership, community service, and the power to inspire others.

Porter was chosen to compete in two All-Star Games. She recorded an interception for the 5-Star squad during the Get Sports Focus Senior All-Star Girls Flag Football Games at Gunderson High in San Jose on Dec. 29. And six days later, on Jan. 4, shined in the second annual RSF/GPF Central Coast Flag Football All-Star Game. She was named the North MVP after scoring twice in a 19-12 loss to the South.

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