Michigan
After being somewhat passive during the 2021/2022 cycle, head coach Jim Harbaugh attacked the portal with a bit more fervor during this cycle. And this new aggressiveness has resulted in some exciting additions making their way to Ann Arbor during this off-season.
The offensive line was revamped with the additions of Drake Nugent (Stanford), Myles Hinton (Stanford) and LaDarius Henderson (Arizona State). On defense, Michigan was able to add two of the top available players at their respective positions. Ernest Hausmann (Nebraska) was one of the more productive true freshman linebackers in the country last season, while defensive end Josaiah Stewart (Coastal Carolina) has been an impressive playmaker since the day he stepped foot on a college football field. The late addition of cornerback Josh Wallace (UMass) should also prove to be very valuable this season.
Iowa
While similar to Michigan, the Hawkeyes took an even more passive approach to the transfer portal during the 2021/2022 cycle. However, after a disastrous 2022 season on the offensive side of the ball, that approach seems to have changed in Iowa City.
Iowa was able to add quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end Erick All from Michigan, wide receiver Kaleb Brown from Ohio State and offensive lineman Rusty Feth from Miami-Ohio. Not gaining as much attention was the addition of FCS wide receiver Seth Anderson (Charleston Southern). McNamara and Anderson have formed a quick connection and even spent some time working out in California during the off-season to continue to improve their chemistry.
Also, while the Hawkeyes defense is almost never a problem, the addition of linebacker Nick Jackson (Virginia) makes the unit even stronger this fall. He arrives after three consecutive seasons of 100+ tackles.
Wisconsin
Long known as a program with a dominant offensive line and rushing attack, things may be changing a bit in Madison after the hiring of new head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo. The return of running back Braelon Allen ensures that the Badgers will continue to pound the ball, but the addition of transfer quarterback Tanner Mordecai (SMU) may change a few things.
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Mordecai, who passed for 7,152 yards and 72 touchdowns during his two seasons at SMU, brings a passing DNA not recently seen at Wisconsin. In comparison, over these same two seasons Badger quarterbacks passed for 4,439 yards and 31 touchdowns.
To go along with Mordecai, Wisconsin also added a few additional weapons for the offense, such as wide receivers CJ Williams (USC) and Bryson Green (Oklahoma State). A balanced offense could lead to big things this fall in Madison.
