Notre Dame wide receiver Mylan Graham, who transferred from Ohio State in January, said the biggest difference in his new program is the requirement to attend classes in person rather than relying heavily on online options as he did with the Buckeyes.
Graham, a former five-star recruit in the 2024 class, made the comments during a recent press conference or interview following Notre Dame’s mid-year transfer arrivals. When asked about the transition from Columbus to South Bend, he replied, “Not too different, you just have to actually go in person… at Notre Dame obviously everybody knows how it is with academics.”
The Indiana native, recording limited stats at Ohio State, including 6 catches for 93 yards as a redshirt freshman, joined the Fighting Irish alongside fellow Ohio State transfer Quincy Porter. He has three years of eligibility remaining and is expected to compete for playing time in a receiver room seeking more production.
Notre Dame’s academic standards have long been a point of emphasis under coach Marcus Freeman, with the university known for stricter attendance policies and fewer accommodations for online coursework compared to many Power Five programs. Graham’s remarks underscore that contrast, as he noted the football side feels familiar but the classroom demands require more consistency.
Social media reactions poured in quickly, with many users poking fun at the implication for Ohio State’s approach. On X, one post quipped, “You don’t go to Ohio State to play school,” echoing a famous 2014 comment from then-Buckeye Cardale Jones, and received widespread shares and laughs. Instagram reels and clips of the quote amassed thousands of views, with comments like “Bro said the quiet part out loud 😭😭💀” and “He don’t go there to play school 😂.”
Others defended or contextualized the statement. “He took online classes at OSU vs in-person at Notre Dame. This isn’t news and shouldn’t have been a post,” one Facebook commenter wrote. On Reddit, threads in college football communities highlighted the quote as a lighthearted jab, with users noting Notre Dame’s reputation for rigorous academics sets it apart.
Graham has emphasized that the on-field mindset remains the same: “I kind of attack with the same mindset I did at Ohio State, just coming to work every day.” As Notre Dame prepares for the upcoming season, his comments have sparked renewed discussion about the balance between athletics and education in major college programs.
