Porter attended Lansing Sexton High School in Lansing, Michigan. He then accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan where he competed on the wrestling and football teams. As a collegiate wrestler, Porter was a three-time All-American and won NCAA championships as a heavyweight in 1966 and 1968 and compiled a three-year record of 51 wins and three losses, for a 94.4% winning percentage. In NCAA wrestling tournaments, Porter had a 13-1 record. Porter received the 1968 Michigan Senior Athlete Award and still holds several Michigan wrestling records, including 32 falls. He pinned opponents in less than 30 seconds on three occasions. He still holds the Big Ten Conference records for most consecutive falls with seven.