Big Ten Transfer Portal Winners, So Far

Here are my winners from the transfer portal just a bit over a week in. All of the listed teams will not be in a particular order. These teams are listed because of the quality of their commitments and how they are expected to sit in the depth chart. This means that if a school is landing a ton of players that won’t play immediately, they likely won’t make the list.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Following a 7-5 season for PJ Fleck and Co., it was clear that more firepower was needed with this roster. Minnesota lost several RBs in the portal and clearly had a major need there. They return starter Darius Taylor, and then found their next 3 RBs behind him. On3’s No. 26 RB Cole Cabana from Michigan was the most recent addition. They also landed the No. 59 RB in Washington grad transfer Cam Davis. Their first pickup came with the RB I believe to be the most impactful, Marshall transfer AJ Turner. Turner ran for over 800 yards on the ground on an average of 8.3 yards per carry. 

Minnesota’s QB choice doesn’t amaze me, but Georgia Tech transfer Zach Pyron still brings experience to a lackluster QB room. A major get at receiver for Minnesota was Miami (OH) transfer Javon Tracey, who could very well be their WR1 this upcoming season. They also added former Purdue TE Drew Biber who will likely be a depth piece. On the defensive side, the Gophers added Defensive End Steven Curtis, Defensive Tackle Rushawn Lawrence, and Cornerback Jaylen Bowden. Minnesota has gotten very good production from their FCS corner transfers in the past few seasons. The most recent addition in the form of UCF OT Marcellus Marshall helps offset the loss of OT Phillip Daniels to Ohio State. Marshall should be in line to start at Tackle for Minnesota.

Wisconsin Badgers

After a season-ending injury to Tyler Van Dyke last season, Wisconsin found themselves in a really bad spot at QB. Now both Van Dyke and Locke have hit the portal and the Badgers were aggressive in adding Maryland QB Billy Edwards Jr and San Diego State QB Danny O’Neil to bolster the most important position on the field. Ball State’s Tanner Koziol was also a major get for the Badgers, and was one of the best available TEs in this portal class.

Defensively they’ve added a few depth pieces in DE Corey Walker, and DT/ NT Charles Perkins, but also added starters in EDGE Mason Reiger, and NT Parker Peterson. Reiger was a former walk-on at Louisville and would have been a starter again this season if he hadn’t suffered a major injury. Peterson was one of the better interior defensive lineman available and was highly sought after. The Badgers also went out and landed FCS Safety Matthew Traynor, who has a few years of eligibility. Wisconsin was able to add former Ohio State wideout Jayden Ballard who should at least supply them with some experience after losing Will Pauling and C.J. Williams to the portal.

Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans have only landed 6 commitments so far, but I really love their offensive pickups. I felt like it would be bad not to include them, but they still have a ton of work to do in the coming weeks. So far the Spartans have added Kent State WR Chrishon McCray, Middle Tennessee State WR Omari Kelly, Oregon State IOL Luka Vincic, and Texas State CB Joshua Eaton. Do not let the “Kent State” next to McCray make you believe that he isn’t a major get for the Spartans. McCray was one of the only bright spots, if that’s even possible for a winless team.

Omari Kelly should be a starter for the Spartans at receiver as well, and Luka Vincic also should start. Joshua Eaton isn’t a player I am overly familiar with, but the depth at corner is much needed for the Spartans. Western Carolina OT Caleb Carter and Sacramento State RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver will come in as guys with experience as well. Both will likely be reserves for the team.

Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines have added 5 players in the portal so far, but I believe at least 4 of them have a high chance of starting next season. FCS Cal Poly transfer Brady Norton is the best of the bunch, and can play either tackle spot. Tackle was a major issue for the Wolverines this season, in particular Evan Link, replacing him with a stud like Norton, and beating out rival Ohio State to do so is massive. Michigan also added WR Donaven McCulley from Indiana, who redshirted and hit the portal after 4 games. He was working back from an injury, and thanks to the amount of wideouts the Hoosiers brought in last offseason, got stuck behind a player or two. McCulley is a major addition for a team like Michigan that had a horrific passing attack last season. I would expect Michigan to add more receivers too.

On the defensive side, the Wolverines grabbed the Metcalf brothers from Arkansas. I believe Tevis is a bit more of a project, or at least won’t be a major contributor this season. T.J. on the other hand will likely start next season and can play either Nickel or a true safety role. Michigan also added former Alabama DT Damon Payne, who helps offset the loss of Mason Graham. If they are able to convince Kenneth Grant to stay for another season, this could be a really good interior defensive line. Note that Damon Payne hasn’t signed with Michigan and I’m unsure what the holdup is.

UCLA Bruins

UCLA is a tricky team to really evaluate, I think they’ve done a very good job thus far, but they have a LONG way to go before being a decent team in the Big Ten. Understandably, they have lost a ton of players but after a poor season, is that really a bad thing? So far they’ve landed 10 commitments in the portal and a ton in the secondary. Oregon State transfer Andre Jordan Jr may be the starter day 1 at corner, which is huge following the departure of Jaylin Davies. Former Louisville Safety Ben Perry, Ole Miss Safety Key Lawrence, and UCF Safety Bryon Threats all have a very high chance of starting day 1 as well at their respective safety and nickel positions.

The Bruins added a developmental piece in the secondary with former Louisville corner Aaron Williams. UCLA also was able to do the same on the OL, adding Oklahoma transfer Eugene Brooks. Former Utah Edge Ka’eo Akana should provide some good depth on the DL as well. Former Florida State OL Julian Armella could start along the OL depending on what happens with Rueben Unije’s waiver request. Courtland Ford is the same way, and at very least the Kentucky transfer brings experience. Arkansas transfer Jaedon Wilson likely starts as a wideout for the Bruins, helping offset the loss of several receivers this offseason. UCLA will need a lot more, specifically on the DL, but I like the start that they have gotten off to.