Western Carolina University

2022 (Junior): Started nine of the 11 games that he saw action, making his debut in the Purple & Gold in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) recording a season-high seven total tackles … Credited with 31 tackles on the year including 18 solo stops with 6.5 tackles for loss including 4.5 solo stops … Posted a tackle in each game played, recording multiple tackles 10 times … Tallied three tackles including two for loss with a sack and a forced fumble in the win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Also had three tackles with a tackle for loss in the road win over ETSU (Nov. 12).

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Coastal Carolina after graduating in December 2021 with a bachelor's degree in sociology; Coastal Carolina (2017-21): 38 career games played with two starts at linebacker ... Recorded 33 career tackles with 11 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss ... Missed most of the 2019 season with a foot injury; High School: Was a two-star recruit by 247Sports.com and Scout.com as a prep ... Was a third-team All-Area selection as an athlete by DuvalSports.com ... Selected honorable mention Jacksonville Times-Union All-First Coast ... Had 77 crries for 624 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 25 receptions for 308 yards and five TDs ... Helped his high school team reach the 4A state championship game, scoring twice in the title game.

Personal: Full name is Ernie Lee Porter Jr. ... Is the son of Amy and Ernie Porter Sr. ... Was born in Jacksonville, Fla.