Notre Dame wide receiver Joe Wilkins pens message after entering transfer portal

On3’s Matt Zenitz was first to report that Notre Dame wide receiver Joe Wilkins had entered the NCAA transfer portal. Having one more year of eligibility remaining, Wilkins will be looking for playing time elsewhere, ending his stint in South Bend on Monday.

Wilkins penned a message via Twitter once the news broke, thanking everyone involved with the Fighting Irish program. His teammates got the biggest shoutout, saying the memories created with Notre Dame will “last a lifetime.”

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“I would like to thank the University of Notre Dame and all of my coaches for the chance to play football and earn a degree at one of the most renowned universities in the world,” said Wilkins. “I am very thankful for both the education I received and all of the relationships I have developed during my time in South Bend.

“To my brothers, I am especially grateful for you. I am honored to forever be part of this brotherhood and family. The memories we have created will last a lifetime and I will always hold you close to my heart.

“I have made the difficult decision to enter the transfer portal in search of an opportunity to play my final season of eligibility. I look forward to seeing where my next chapter takes me.

“Love thee.”

Wilkins dealt with injuries throughout spring practice, returning just in time for the beginning of the 2022 season. He played in seven games for Notre Dame but was not able to record at stat. Outside of wide receiver, Wilkins was a special teams player under head coach Marcus Freeman.

Wherever Wilkins ends up, it will mark his sixth season in college football. He was ranked a three-star prospect by the On3 Consensus during the 2018 cycle. After using a redshirt season, the COVID-19 eligibility rules allows the wide receiver to play for another year.