The Transfer Portal: A New Chapter for Mylan Graham at Notre Dame
The college football world is abuzz with the news that Ohio State wide receiver Mylan Graham has committed to Notre Dame. This move comes as a surprise to many, given the recent push by Ohio State to retain Graham's services. But what's even more intriguing is the company he's keeping. Graham is joined by fellow former Buckeye wideout Quincy Porter, who also committed to Notre Dame on the same day.
Graham's journey to Notre Dame began with a visit on January 8th, just four days after On3's Hayes Fawcett reported his intention to enter the transfer portal. The Irish had been on his radar for a while, as Graham is a highly regarded recruit, ranked as the No. 105 overall player and No. 24 wide receiver in the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking. However, the Irish weren't the only ones interested; schools like Auburn, Ole Miss, and Louisville were also in the running.
Graham's decision to commit to Notre Dame is a significant one, as it marks a fresh start for the talented wide receiver. His high school career at New Haven (Ind.) High school, where he was ranked as the No. 39 recruit and No. 9 wide receiver in the 2024 class by the Rivals Industry Ranking, has been a prelude to his college career. Graham's visits to Notre Dame were accompanied by his close friend Tae Johnson, a star Irish safety from nearby Fort Wayne, Ind., which likely played a role in his decision.
The transfer portal has an intriguing aspect: it allows teams to connect with players who weren't initially on their radar during high school recruitments. For instance, out of the five portal players who visited Notre Dame last Tuesday, only one received a scholarship offer as a high school recruit. Graham was the exception, as Notre Dame offered him a scholarship despite the competition from prominent programs like Ohio State.
Graham's stay at Ohio State was more about potential than actual performance. His receiving yards in the 2025 spring game (103 yards) exceeded his total yards in his two-year OSU career (93 yards). This highlights the challenge of translating hype into on-field success, especially when competing against established wide receivers like Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Innis, who all had at least 36 catches in 2025.
Despite the competition, Graham's decision to commit to Notre Dame is a significant opportunity for the Irish. The Irish coaching staff now has the task of identifying which young wide receivers will be key contributors and pouring resources into their development. Graham's commitment is a strategic move, as he has the potential to be a game-changer for the Irish.
Graham's stay at Ohio State was more about hype than in-game production. For instance, he had more receiving yards in the 2025 spring game than he did in his entire two-year OSU career; 4 catches for 103 yards in the exhibition and 6 catches for 93 yards in 13 regular season appearances.
The Irish are now in a position to benefit from Graham's talent and potential. The challenge for the coaching staff will be to identify which young wide receivers will be key contributors and pour resources into their development. Graham's commitment is a strategic move, as he has the potential to be a game-changer for the Irish.
The idea in going after Graham is he’s got to be someone that fits into that category.
