Two conferences. Two stadiums. Two offensive schemes. One legendary mentor-coach. TCU football’s other famous No. 14, David Porter III, has experienced a wild ride in his four years as a Horned Frog wide receiver.

What was the biggest change in moving from the Mountain West Conference to the Big 12?
There were really no surprises. You just have to come every weekend ready to play. Even being in the Mountain West, you could lose any given game if you don’t show up. So it’s all really the same. Competition may be a little better in the Big 12, but besides that, it’s still football. Rules are still the same. You’re still playing on 100 yards.

What is your best in-game memory?
I would have to go back to my freshman year against Baylor because my very first play in the game was a touchdown, so I’ll always remember that. I still remember exactly how it went down, the play call and everything.

What lessons have you learned about being a good leader?
You have to know how to work hard and that those young guys really do look up to you. Every time I come off to the sideline, I may not know it, but they were watching me when I was doing something, whether I was blocking or running around or catching a pass. You have to learn to be a leader at all times because you never know when they’re watching. You have to set a good example for the young ones, and that’s what I try to do.

What are the most meaningful things that you have learned in the classroom?
I’m a social work major. I really want to help change the world and help little kids who have been abused. I’ve taken a lot of classes that have dealt with that. It’s all about helping to change the world, helping to better people, so they can help the community as well.

Favorite class you’ve taken?
Social work and diversity. It’s an open-discussion class. We talk about anything that might be going on in the world. And we kind of get to express our opinions. We were talking about the Mike Brown case our first day. We all got to share our views on it.

What’s the crossover between what you’re learning in class and what you’re learning on the field?
They both intertwine. Out on the field you have to learn to work hard and be dedicated and focused. That goes the same in the classroom. You have to put in that same hard work, same dedication, same focus as well. A lot of things you learn in football you can carry on to school or just even in real life.

You plan to earn a spot on a NFL roster next year, but when you are done playing football, what would you like to do with your life?
My sister’s a social worker in Virginia, and she plans to move to Texas. I want to own a social work agency where we work together and help young kids who have been abused or just need help. I don’t like seeing children be abused, so I just want to do whatever I can to help them.

What was it like to be on the first team to play in TCU’s amazing stadium?
I feel it was awesome. The guys before us really paved the way and really got the stadium for us. It was an honor to be one of the first ones to play in the brand-new stadium. It was just an honor.

How have your coaches been good mentors?
They’ve always been there for me when I needed something, on or off the field. If I ever had problems with anything, I knew I could always call Coach Burns because he was my coach during my freshman year. If I had a problem or needed to know anything, I knew I could call on him, and I knew he would be there to help me out.

How do you feel about college football moving to a playoff format?
I like it. I think it’s pretty cool, but I feel it should be more than just a four-team playoff. Maybe eight teams. Longer season, but at least you get more teams in there that get a chance to show what they have and that they can play in the national championship.

How has Coach Patterson changed in the time you’ve been here?
I have not seen any changes in him. He’s been the same guy. When we’re on the field, he’s Coach P. He’s doing his job, doing what he needs to do. When he’s off the field, he’s a loving guy. He takes care of us, watches out for us. He’s just a great guy. I haven’t seen any change since I’ve been here until now. He loves his job, loves to make us better as football players and as men, which I really do appreciate.

What do you like about the new offensive scheme?
Of course being a receiver, I get more chances to get the ball. I like how we can use our personnel more and use our guys in space. Just let them do what they do. Everybody gets a chance to get the ball. Everyone gets a chance to show his skills. We have a lot of great playmakers, so I feel this offense is perfect for the guys we have.

If you were recruiting high school players for TCU, what kind of player would you pursue?
I’d go after someone who works hard. They don’t have to be the most talented. They don’t have to be the fastest. They don’t have to be the tallest or anything. I’d just want someone who would work hard day in and day out because that’s what it takes to be a TCU Horned Frog.

What do you want your legacy to be here?
That I was a great guy who looked out for others and took care of others, helped others when they needed something, whether it be someone who needed someone to talk to or needed a ride. As a guy who was always there for my teammates and always tried to take care of them.