Diving into the portal: 5 key transfers into the Big Ten

There will be another spate of transfers after spring practices are over, but for now the transfer portal is relatively quiet, which gives us an opportunity to look at key transfers into each Power 5 league.

Today, it’s five key transfers in the Big Ten. “Key” is a relative term, but you can expect each of these players to make an appreciable impact this fall for their new teams.

(We’ll look at the Big 12 on Tuesday, the SEC on Wednesday, the ACC on Thursday, the Pac-12 on Friday and independents and the Group of 5 on Saturday.)

Michigan State RB Jarek Broussard

The buzz: Michigan State struck gold in the portal in 2021 with Kenneth Walker III, a transfer from Wake Forest who was the No. 2 rusher in the nation and the leading rusher among Power 5 players. That’s not to say Broussard will be as productive. Walker (5 feet 10, 210 pounds) — who’s now readying for the NFL draft — was a physical runner with a burst. Broussard (5-0, 185) is more of a slasher and it’s doubtful he can be a 22-carry-a-game guy like Walker. Still, Broussard was the Pac-12 offensive player of the year in 2020 and led the Buffs in rushing each of the past two seasons. He rushed for 895 yards in six games in 2020 (149.2 ypg, third nationally), then for 661 on a bad team in 2021. Michigan State also added three other transfers who could (should?) make a splash: TE Daniel Barker from Illinois, RB Jalen Berger from Wisconsin and LB Jacoby Windmon from UNLV.

Rutgers WR Taj Harris

The buzz: Harris left Syracuse four games into the 2021 season, then announced in November he was headed to Kentucky. He changed his mind and ultimately chose Rutgers. Harris, a New Jersey native, gives the Scarlet Knights a legit go-to receiver for 2022. He is fourth in Syracuse history with 151 receptions and ninth with 2,028 receiving yards. Harris has the ability to be a bona-fide deep threat. One potential issue: He played with so-so quarterbacks at Syracuse, and Rutgers isn’t exactly bubbling over with elite talent at the position, either. Still, Harris’ arrival will help the passing attack.

Ohio State S Tanner McCalister

The buzz: McCalister was a two-year starter at Oklahoma State, which had one of the nation’s best defenses in 2021. He will re-join defensive Jim Knowles in Columbus, as Knowles left the OSU Cowboys for the OSU Buckeyes. McCalister signed as a cornerback and played extensively as a reserve corner in 2018 and ’19. He moved to safety in 2020 and became a starter, and kept his starting spot in 2021. McCalister had 34 tackles, an interception and five pass breakups last fall. His versatility, experience and knowledge of Knowles’ scheme will make him an important part of a Buckeyes secondary that struggled at times in 2021. In addition, two Buckeyes safeties are coming off injuries, so that gives McCalister extra value.

Michigan C Victor Oluwatimi

The buzz: The Wolverines lost just one starter off their offensive line, CB Andrew Vastardis. Oluwatimi should slide in quite nicely as a sort of one-season rental. He began his career at Air Force and became a three-year starter for the Cavaliers. Oluwatimi was a second-team All-ACC selection in 2021. He also was one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy, which goes to the nation’s best center.

Penn State WR Mitchell Tinsley

The buzz: Tinsley was one of the most productive receivers in the nation in 2021 in the Hilltoppers’ pass-happy attack, with 87 receptions for 1,402 yards and 14 TDs. The receptions total was 16th nationally, while he was eighth in receiving yards and fifth in TD receptions. Penn State lost star WR Jahan Dotson to the NFL; while Tinsley is not Dotson, his addition potentially gives the Nittany Lions a top-level trio along with holdovers Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith.