Kicking Guru | Notre Dame Landed Key Piece In Spencer Porath

Spencer Porath arrives at Notre Dame with experience, a steady résumé, and the kind of background that programs increasingly value in specialists.

That is not new to Brandon Kornblue.

The founder of Kornblue Kicking has trained Porath for years, dating back to high school, and watched his development long before the Purdue transfer entered the portal and ultimately signed with the Irish.

“I've worked with him probably since his sophomore or junior year of high school,” Kornblue told Irish Sports Daily. “He's a super talented kid. I ranked him as my number one kicker in the country in his class. I selected him for the US Army Bowl.”

That evaluation went beyond the surface level.

The extended time around Porath at the US Army Bowl allowed Kornblue to get an even deeper look.

That relationship continued beyond showcase events with Porath flying down to Naples, Fla., for private training with Kornblue. 

“I think he grew up a Purdue fan from what I remember,” Kornblue said. “But in recent years, he’s talked about Notre Dame. This is something that, with the portal, has kind of been on the radar if it was ever a possibility.

“He loved Purdue. It wasn't like he didn't like it there, but obviously there are only a few programs like Notre Dame in the country. It's an opportunity that came his way and he couldn't pass it up.”

From a technical and mental standpoint, Porath separated himself early, according to Kornblue.

“It's the combination of consistency, accuracy and strength,” Kornblue said. “He hits a really clean ball. He's got solid technique, clean technique. His demeanor is very even-keeled. He's not a fiery emotional kind of guy. He's much more of the even-keel that I think is ideal for kickers.”

Kornblue pointed to past success stories as reference points. 

“Jake Moody is probably the best or one of the best kickers I've ever worked with,” Kornblue said of the current Washington Commanders kicker. “Jake's biggest strength is kind of that even personality that he's never too high, never too low. 

“I think Spencer has very similar traits in terms of just the mentality and personality.”

Porath’s move also fits a broader trend Kornblue has seen across college football, particularly at specialist positions, of major programs looking to find somebody who is a proven commodity via the portal. 

“Especially at quarterback, a kicker, punter, those positions really require a lot of the composure and maturity,” said Kornblue. “To have to start right away coming out of high school is really difficult.”

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and special teams coordinator Marty Biagi understood that value.

“They wanted him badly,” Kornblue said. “I will tell you that. I just know firsthand from talking to the coaches, both Freeman and Biagi, that they wanted Spencer.”

For Irish fans who endured inconsistency at the position last season, Kornblue says Porath should bring stability.

“I really think this is somebody that is going to be much more in the Kyle Brindza-mode,” he said. “Kyle Brindza was a guy that I worked with extensively, and Kyle set a bunch of several Notre Dame records when he was there.”

He pointed to another former standout Irish kicker as well.

“Somebody like Justin Yoon, those guys that were very consistent and had the right mentality and were very mature for their age,” Kornblue said. “Those are guys who I think have been super consistent. 

“I think that Spencer's going to be in that same category.”

The fit extends beyond mechanics.

“Knowing where the program is right now, kicker was one piece that I think they needed to have,” Kornblue said. “I think to make a national title run, you need to have somebody like that.”

And for a kicker raised in the Midwest, the setting will not be new.

“The kids from Indiana, the weather's not going to bother him. He's kind of ready and willing to be in that stage, and I think it's going to be a really, really good fit.”

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