[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There’s always something going on in the transfer portal – here’s how Big Ten teams have done bringing in new talent.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]
1. Nebraska (16)
The skinny: The Huskers, who were the busiest team in the Big Ten, added several important pieces to each unit. QB Casey Thompson (Texas), WR Trey Palmer (LSU), and WR Marcus Washington (Texas) should boost the offense, while defensive backs Kaine Williams (Alabama) and Omar Brown (Northern Iowa), along with the defensive line group of Ochaun Mathis (TCU), Stephon Wynn Jr. (Alabama) and Devin Drew (Texas Tech) all should make big impacts. Also of note, the Huskers added a new punter, placekicker, and long snapper in the portal.
2. Michigan State (8)
The skinny: While the Spartans may not have made as big of a splash this portal season as they did last, they still added several important pieces. Look for the running back duo of Jalen Berger (Wisconsin) and Jarek Broussard (Colorado) to complement themselves nicely, Brian Greene (Washington State) to help solidify the offensive line, and DL Khris Bogle (Florida) and LB Jacoby Windmon (UNLV) to recharge the defensive unit.
3. Penn State (4)
The skinny: Quality beats quantity, as the Nittany Lions added three players who all have the potential to be impact starters. Offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad (Cornell) should fit in nicely in Happy Valley, wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (Western Kentucky) brings big-play potential and linebacker Demeioun Robinson (Maryland) has NFL potential.
4. Minnesota (8)
The skinny: The Gophers added depth and experience to both sides of the line with Chuck Filiaga (Michigan), Quinn Carroll (Notre Dame), Darnell Jefferies (Clemson), and Lorenza Surgers (Vanderbilt). Also, look for Beanie Bishop (Western Kentucky) to make a big impact in the secondary.
5. Indiana (14)
The skinny: The Hoosiers were one of the busier teams in the conference. This includes bringing in several SEC players, most notably QB Connor Bazelak (Missouri), RB Shaun Shivers (Auburn), LB Jared Casey (Kentucky) and the Ole Miss defensive trio of Jonathan Haynes, Patrick Lucas, and LeDarrius Cox.
6. Ohio State (3)
The skinny: The Buckeyes were relatively quiet in the portal, but did land one of the top available defensive backs in Tanner McCallister (Oklahoma State). They also added depth to their backfield with Deamonte Trayanum (Arizona State) and improvement to their special teams with kicker Parker Lewis (UCLA).
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7. Wisconsin (6)
The skinny: The Badgers did not have a great deal of room to add players from the portal, so they focused on their biggest need; the secondary. Four defensive backs were brought in, Jay Shaw (UCLA), Cedric Dort (Kentucky), Kamo’l Latu (Utah) and Justin Clark (Toledo), while the offense should get a boost with the addition of WR Keontez Lewis (UCLA), as should their special teams with the addition of kicker Vito Calvaruso (Arkansas).
8. Rutgers (9)
The skinny: The Scarlet Knights completed revamped their offensive line with four additions, most notably JD DiRenzo (Sacred Heart), who was one of the most sought-after players at his position in the country. Offensive firepower was also added with receivers Taj Harris (Syracuse) and Sean Ryan (West Virginia).
9. Purdue (11)
The skinny: Purdue was busy last year in the portal and continued that trend during this cycle. This includes adding five Big Ten players, with the Iowa wide receiver duo of Tyrone Tracy and Charlie Jones both likely to make big impacts. WR Elijah Canion (Auburn) is another player to watch, while DE Scotty Humpich (Murray State) has made a big early impression.
10. Michigan (2)
The skinny: The Wolverines weren’t expected to be busy in the portal and stayed true to that. However, the addition of offensive lineman Olusegun Oluwatimi (Virginia) has the potential to be one of the top overall additions in the country.
11. Maryland (8)
The skinny: Considering the Terps lead all FBS schools with 27 scholarship entries into the portal, the amount of players they have brought in is surprisingly low. However, Jacob Copeland (Florida) could be one of the better wide receiver additions in the nation, LB VanDarius Cowan (West Virginia) has the potential to flourish, and K Chad Ryland (Eastern Michigan) was an under-rated, yet potentially very important, addition.
12. Northwestern (9)
The skinny: The Wildcats focused on the defensive side of the ball in the portal and succeeded in adding several important pieces including Ryan Johnson (Stanford), Jaylen Pate (Wyoming), and Jeremiah Lewis (Duke).
13. Illinois (8)
The skinny: Somewhat surprisingly, the Illini did not dive into the portal as deeply as many assumed they would. Along with adding multiple players from the FCS/D2 ranks and two players from Air Force, the Illini will depend on QB Tommy Devito (Syracuse) and the defensive line duo of Te-Rah Edwards (Northwestern) and Raashaan Wilkins (Vanderbilt) to make an impact.
14. Iowa (1)
The skinny: The Hawkeyes have only seen six of their scholarship players enter the portal since 8/1, so they were never going to be busy with additions. And with that they have only added one player, TE Steven Stilianos from Lafayette, who will have the chance to be an immediate contributor.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
