The transfer portal’s pretty much reshaped college football, and the Big Ten’s right in the thick of it. Six Big Ten schools landed in The Athletic’s top 25 transfer portal classes, so the league’s set up for a wild 2026 season.
This article takes a look at how each team handled the portal window. We’ll dig into the biggest additions, the toughest losses, and hand out some honest grades. If you want the deep dive, check out the original article.
Indiana Hoosiers: A Top-Tier Performance
Indiana just wrapped up a dream 2025 season—16-0, national champs, the whole deal. But now they’ve gotta fill the shoes of 15 starters, including Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
The Hoosiers didn’t mess around. They grabbed experienced and talented guys, especially from Power 4 (P4) schools.
Key Additions
- QB Josh Hoover (TCU) – 19-12 career as a starter, 71 touchdown passes
- RB Turbo Richard (Boston College)
- WR Nick Marsh (Michigan State)
- Edge Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State)
- CB A.J. Harris (Penn State)
Nine of their portal pickups started at least six games last year, so Indiana looks ready to defend that title. Grade: A
Ohio State Buckeyes: Strategic Moves
Ohio State usually leans on high school recruiting, but this offseason they dove into the transfer market more than usual. They needed to fill some big holes after losing guys to the NFL and the portal.
Key Additions
- WR Devin McCuin (UTSA)
- TE Hunter Welcing (Northwestern)
- DL James Smith (Alabama)
- Edge Qua Russaw (Alabama)
- S Earl Little Jr. (Florida State)
Nine of their new faces started at least five games last season, so the Buckeyes patched things up pretty well. Still, the offensive line might give fans a headache. Grade: B
Michigan State Spartans: A Rebuilding Year
Michigan State has a ton of turnover—15 starters gone. Coach Pat Fitzgerald brought in 13 players who started at least five games last year, but only three came from P4 schools.
Key Additions
- RB Cam Edwards (UConn)
- OT Ben Murawski (UConn)
- OT Robert Wright Jr. (Georgia Southern)
- LB Dion Crawford (Buffalo)
- S Michael Richard (Louisiana Tech)
The Spartans filled gaps on the offensive line, at linebacker, and in the secondary. Receiver still feels like a weak spot, though. Grade: D+
Michigan Wolverines: Filling Gaps
With new coach Kyle Whittingham at the helm, Michigan sticks to recruiting high school talent but isn’t shy about using the portal for targeted needs. They brought in four full-time starters from Utah, which plugged some holes at tight end, defensive line, and in the secondary.
Key Additions
- TE JJ Buchanan (Utah)
- Edge John Henry Daley (Utah)
- DL Jonah Lea’ea (Utah)
- LB Nathaniel Staehling (North Dakota State)
- CB Smith Snowden (Utah)
Even with this new talent, Michigan might still be scrambling to replace 16 departed starters. Grade: B-
Nebraska Cornhuskers: Strategic Shifts
Matt Rhule’s changed things up, focusing more on transfers than high school recruits lately. Nebraska added 33 transfers this year, including ten who started at least five games at FBS schools.
Key Additions
- QB Anthony Colandrea (UNLV) – Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year
- WR Kwazi Gilmer (UCLA)
- OG Brendan Black (Iowa State)
- Edge Anthony Jones (UCLA)
- LB Owen Chambliss (San Diego State)
They only lost two full-time starters to the portal and kept eleven, so Nebraska’s held onto key pieces while stacking up new talent. Grade: B+
Illinois Fighting Illini: A Balanced Approach
Illinois won 19 games in the last two years but now has to replace 16 full-time starters. Coach Bret Bielema brought in eight transfers who started at least six games last season, though none came from P4 programs.
Key Additions
- QB Katin Houser (East Carolina) – 15-11 as a starter, 43 touchdowns
- OT Christian Martin (Colorado State)
- C Jake Renfro (Wisconsin)
- LB Robert Edmonson (Colorado State)
- S Lavon Williams (East Texas A&M)
Houser’s got a solid group of receivers, including portal additions Jayshon Platt (FAU) and Alex Perry (FIU). Grade: C
Penn State Nittany Lions: Iowa State East?
Matt Campbell, the new coach, brought over 23 players from Iowa State. A dozen of them started at least half the games last season.
Penn State’s portal class is basically Iowa State’s 2025 team in blue and white, hoping they can bring that success over. Grade: B+
Key Additions
- QB Rocco Becht (Iowa State)
- RB Carson Hansen (Iowa State)
- TE Benjamin Brahmer (Iowa State)
- Edge Ikenna Ezeogu (Iowa State)
- LB Kooper Ebel (Iowa State)
Conclusion
The Big Ten transfer portal window’s been wild—full of strategic moves and some pretty big changes across the conference.
Indiana really stood out, while Michigan State seems to be in a full-on rebuilding phase.
Every team took its own approach to the portal, and honestly, it’s going to be interesting to see how it all plays out on the field as the 2026 season gets closer.
If you want the nitty-gritty on each team’s portal moves, check out the original article.
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