Notre Dame addressed one of its biggest offseason needs with the addition of Ohio State transfer receiver Quincy Porter, and this week, the Irish’s newest boundary target offered his first public comments since arriving in South Bend.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Porter made clear that relationships with receivers coach Mike Brown and head coach Marcus Freeman drove his decision.
“The conversations I had with Coach Brown, Coach Freeman, the program, and also the schooling,” Porter said when asked what was attractive about the Irish. “There's a lot higher schooling here that you can't really get from anywhere else.
“But I would lead with Coach Brown and Coach Freeman, having those conversations. And since I was recruited (out of high school by Notre Dame), I had some more familiarity with Notre Dame before coming out.”
The 6-foot-4, 197-pounder entered the Transfer Portal following his freshman season at Ohio State, where he appeared in four games and recorded four receptions for 59 yards. He was part of a Buckeyes receiver room headlined by standout Jeremiah Smith and said he used the experience as a learning opportunity.
“Just being able to take pieces of different players' games and being able to learn from everybody that was there,” Porter said.
Asked specifically about Smith, he added, “He has his skillset. Other receivers, they have their own skill set. I would just take parts of their game and apply it to mine and become the best receiver I could be.”
While Porter projects primarily as a boundary receiver in Notre Dame’s offense, he didn’t rule out seeing time in other spots.
“I think I'll most likely be a boundary receiver, but they'll be moving me around,” he said. “Really, whatever they’ve got for me. But I'll most likely be a boundary receiver.”
The New Jersey native was also joined in this portal cycle by fellow Ohio State transfer Mylan Graham. Porter said the two were aware of each other’s interest in Notre Dame but did not coordinate their decisions.
“I think we both knew that we were both looking at Notre Dame,” he said. “He was thinking about it, but I had a feeling he was going to come anyway. I mean, it was more like if he comes, that's going to be great.”
Porter acknowledged dealing with injuries during his freshman year and was asked about speculation surrounding a knee procedure and his availability this spring.
“I've been dealing with some injury issues, but I’ll address it as it is being cleared up and looking forward to me looking good in the future,” he said.
Porter declined to elaborate on whether he would be cleared to participate in spring practice.
Porter noted the access he has had to Freeman since arriving on campus.
“Obviously, I had great conversations with him,” Porter said. “I was in his office a couple days ago, just being able to see him around. I think it's been great being able to speak to him. The amount of times you see him, because sometimes you don't see the head coach all that often, but I've been able to see him, speak to him, and had really good conversations with him.”
Porter was an early enrollee at Ohio State and was on campus when the Buckeyes faced Notre Dame in the national championship game. He did not attend in person but watched closely.
“I just remember it being back and forth,” he said. “Obviously, I know who won.
“I just know here we're going to be back there.”
The former Bergen Catholic High School star said his expectations for 2026 are straightforward.
“My expectations? Obviously, work hard, but really just do what I need to do. That's really it.”
Off the field, the Economics major emphasized academics being a priority.
“This is a perfect school to do that,” he said. “Getting a degree at Notre Dame is really powerful. Me and my family definitely understand that.”
Porter said he has already felt the culture within the program despite not yet practicing.
“You can really feel the brotherhood,” he said. “You can really feel everybody close. When you come to the locker room at any point in the day, there's always going to be people in there. I just think that's just a great sign that everybody's always in the building. There's always going to be somebody working.”
With Micah Gilbert and Cam Williams returning and early enrollee Kaydon Finley also in the mix, Porter adds needed size and experience to the boundary position. How quickly he is able to contribute may depend in part on his health this spring, but his reasons for choosing Notre Dame were clear.
“I know it's hard every day. But that's what you sign up for. It's football. It's going to be hard. It's not going to be easy. That's just how it's going to be.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
