Notre Dame will be short one of its most dangerous options when it opens against Wisconsin in Week 1.
Quincy Porter, the former 5-star receiver recovering from a left patellar tendon injury suffered in January, has been ruled out for the matchup. With only 10 days left before kickoff, he won’t be ready for live football.
That takes one explosive name off the board for Wisconsin to worry about. Porter was the kind of player who could stress a secondary in a hurry, and he already flashed against the Badgers last season with two catches in four appearances. He had been expected to grow into a major piece of Notre Dame’s offense in 2026, and that still appears to be the plan once he’s healthy.
Freeman gave the latest update on his status recently, saying, "He's still a couple of weeks out, and he's getting better... He's still got a little bit of time to be in a position where we feel like he can help this team.
It'll happen. It's going to happen here soon.
I just don't know when it's going to be."
Even with Porter sidelined, Notre Dame still has plenty of firepower. Jordan Faison is coming into the season with real buzz, and Jaden Greathouse is expected to work in the slot and cause problems for opposing defenses.
The Irish also have a clear next-man-up answer in Micah Gilbert. If Porter is out, Gilbert looks like the most likely player to slide into the starting role.
Now a junior, he saw meaningful action last season, and reports from fall camp suggest he’s taken a noticeable step forward. Porter’s absence may open the door wider for him.
But if Wisconsin is mapping out its biggest concern, the receiver situation may not even be the top one. Notre Dame’s defensive line is shaping up as a major strength, and Freeman has been loud about how big, fast, and strong that group looks.
The Badgers are dealing with issues of their own up front as well. Their starting five on the offensive line still isn’t settled, and Kevin Heywood and Emerson Mandell are both working through minor issues. Luke Fickell won’t push either player unless they can go full-tilt.
In Other News...
Wisconsin Fans Face A Costly Lambeau Debate Before Notre Dame
Wisconsins trip to Lambeau Field on Sept. 6 is already turning into a pricey assignment for fans who want to be there in person. Ticket listings for the Badgers matchup with Notre Dame show the lowest available seats hovering around the mid-$200s, while more desirable spots are pushing into the $300s and $400s, a sign that demand for one of the seasons marquee nonconference games is holding firm.
The market has been fairly steady for about a week, but anyone waiting for a bargain may be taking a gamble. As tickets continue to change hands through different vendors, the prices can move quickly, and the cost of getting into the historic Green Bay setting may be the biggest pregame debate for Wisconsin supporters before the teams even take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Receiver Battle Has A Surprise Name Pushing For A Big Role
Wisconsin spent the offseason reshaping its receiver room, dipping into the transfer portal for multiple additions as it looked to add more size and depth on the outside. Jaylon Domingeaux, Malachi Coleman, Shamar Rigby and Zion Kearney all arrived with a chance to help, and the group reflects the Badgers clear preference for bigger boundary targets as they build out the passing game.
Among that collection, Rigby has become the name to watch. The former Oklahoma State transfer has worked through earlier injuries but has still positioned himself as a key contributor, and Luke Fickell has sounded encouraged by where he stands heading into the season. If Rigby stays healthy, Wisconsin believes he can carve out a significant role and give the offense the kind of presence it has been looking for on the perimeter. [Read more 🡒]
Barry Alvarez Just Gave Badgers Fans A New Chris McIntosh Debate
Chris McIntoshs move from Wisconsin athletic director to a new role at the Big Ten office closed one chapter for a department that has spent plenty of time wrestling with change. His tenure in Madison will be remembered for the hiring of Luke Fickell, but also for the rough edges that came with it, including a slow start in adapting to the NIL era and a football season that did not go the way anyone around the program wanted.
Barry Alvarezs take on McIntoshs legacy only adds to the conversation, because he was candid about not knowing exactly how history will judge the run. Even so, Alvarez said he feels good about the next step for the department under new athletic director Shawn Eichorst, giving Wisconsin fans another reason to compare what McIntosh built with what comes next. [Read more 🡒]