B1G transfer portal breakdown: 1 need for every B1G team in the spring transfer window

The spring transfer window officially opened earlier this week.

All college football programs are now free to add talented players from around the country for the first time since the end of the winter period.

Here’s a look at 1 need for every Big Ten program in the transfer portal this spring:

Illinois: Cornerback

Illinois’ secondary was a mess last season. The Fighting Illini ranked 10th in the Big Ten in pass defense efficiency rating after pacing the conference in that category in 2022.

Illinois has some interesting options at safety, but could use an upgrade or two at cornerback going into the 2024 season. As of now, Tyler Strain, Xavier Scott, Jaheim Clarke and Elijah Mc-Cantos are expected to be the primary options for the Illini at CB.

Bret Bielema hired David Gibbs back in January to lead Illinois’ secondary, which means the spring window will be Gibbs’ first chance to evaluate the portal since he arrived in Champaign. None of Illinois’ previous transfer additions this cycle play defensive back.

Indiana: Offensive line

The Hoosiers hit the portal hard back in the winter period, adding 23 transfers to begin the Curt Cignetti era. With that being said, it’s hard to pinpoint a specific need for IU that it hasn’t already tried to address.

But Indiana lost multiple starting offensive linemen off of last year’s team and should be looking to strengthen that group again this spring. Of IU’s transfer additions during the winter period, only 3 were offensive linemen.

While speaking generally about his process after Indiana’s spring game on Thursday night, Cignetti made it clear he won’t be looking for depth in the portal — rather, players who can help IU right away.

“I’m looking for the best I can get,” Cignetti said. “I’m not looking for any third-teamers.”

Iowa: Offensive line

Iowa initially made one of the biggest transfer portal additions of the offseason when it landed former Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor. However, with Proctor reversing course and deciding to return to Tuscaloosa, the Hawkeyes could look to add another starting-caliber tackle in the spring period.

Of course, the Hawkeyes could choose to add depth if they feel good about what they have after the spring. Iowa does have some solid options at tackle in Mason Richman and Gennings Dunker.

Maryland: Offensive line

The Terps lost several starters off of their offensive line this offseason. They did (at-least partially) re-load in the winter portal window, adding 3 offensive line transfers. The group of new linemen includes Aliou Bah (Georgia), Alan Herron (Shorter) and Josh Kaltenberger (Purdue).

All 3 of those players seem likely to start for the Terps in 2024. But outside of that group, Maryland is missing some experience and proven talent up front. Adding depth — or even a potential starter — seems necessary for Maryland to have a successful offense in 2024.

Michigan: Wide receiver

Michigan lost a massive amount of talent either to the NFL Draft or the transfer portal following last season’s national championship run.

You could point to almost any position on offense for the Wolverines to target in the portal this spring, but receiver seems especially urgent. They lost their top 2 WR options from a year ago in Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson to the NFL Draft. No other returning wide receiver hit the 250-yard threshold last season.

Michigan is also yet to address the receiver position at all in the portal this offseason. The Wolverines may like what they have returning at WR, but none of their internal options are proven No. 1 options in the Big Ten. Finding a potential game-breaker would make things a lot easier on whoever ends up starting at quarterback for Michigan this fall.

Michigan State: Wide receiver

Michigan State signed 10 transfers in the winter period after Jonathan Smith took over as head coach, but none at the receiver position. Finding a top wideout for Aidan Chiles should be the No. 1 priority for the Spartans this spring.

Montorie Foster Jr. does return after leading the team with 576 receiving yards last season, but there’s very little other proven production at this spot elsewhere on the roster.

Michigan State briefly added a commitment from former Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield, but he backed off of that pledge last month. The Spartans could add multiple wide-outs as they search for both starting-level talent and depth this spring.

Minnesota: Edge

Minnesota has one of the more underrated pass rushers in the Big Ten in Jah Joyner, but could use some more help off the edge. Joyner recorded 7.5 sacks last season and will likely be at the top of the scouting report for opposing offenses in 2024.

On Friday, Minnesota checked this box by landing a commitment from former LSU edge rusher Jaxon Howard. Howard is a Minnesota native and was a 4-star prospect in the class of 2023. He now returns home with 4 years of eligibility remaining.

Nebraska: Wide receiver

Nebraska has very little coming back in terms of proven wide receiver production. The Huskers’ top-returning wideout is Jaylen Lloyd, who caught 6 passes for 237 yards last season. The Huskers have numerous other young wideouts who are back as well, but it’s too early to know which — if any — will emerge as Big Ten-quality starters.

Nebraska did address the WR position a bit during the winter window with Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor. However, Neyor has an injury history and Banks has never eclipsed 700 receiving yards in a season. If Nebraska is going to start Dylan Raiola from Day 1, it would be wise to find him an elite WR to help making things a bit easier on the true freshman.

Northwestern: Quarterback

Northwestern is expected to pursue a quarterback via the transfer portal this spring. The Wildcats return Brendan Sullivan, who served as their primary backup for most of last season — although he did start 4 games.

Sullivan went 63-of-99 as a passer last season and averaged 7.2 yards per attempt while throwing 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. His best performance came in a win over Maryland when he threw for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Those aren’t bad numbers by any means, so it’s certainly plausible that Sullivan could be Northwestern’s starter this fall. But it would also make a lot of sense for Northwestern to bring in a veteran signal caller to compete with Sullivan during fall camp.

Ohio State: Offensive line

It’s difficult to pinpoint any weaknesses on a stacked Ohio State roster, but the Buckeyes would benefit from having another experienced offensive lineman in that room.

Josh Simmons, Josh Fryar, Seth McLaughlin and Donovan Jackson all have solidified starting spots, but the Buckeyes may need to look into the transfer portal to find a 5th starter. Fryar is the key to making the puzzle fit, as he can play guard or tackle for the Buckeyes.

Expect Ohio State to be in play for any elite offensive lineman who enters the portal this spring.

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Oregon: Safety

Like Ohio State, Oregon has a loaded roster and looks ready to compete for the Big Ten title in 2024. The Ducks did a lot of work during the winter transfer window, as they signed 10 transfers including ex-Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel and former Washington cornerback Jabbar Muhammad.

One area that could still use an upgrade in talent is at safety. Kobe Johnson and Tysheem Johnson are currently expected to start at safety for Oregon in 2024. Johnson is a K-State transfer who arrived after the winter period. Johnson played for Oregon last season and finished 3rd on the team in total tackles.

Oregon does not have a ton of proven depth behind those 2, so looking for solid backup options would make sense. It also wouldn’t be too surprising to see Oregon go after an elite talent at this position, such as former Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews.

Penn State: Wide receiver

Penn State is one of the few power-conferences teams that has suffered a significant loss in this transfer window. The Nittany Lions lost Keandre Lambert-Smith to the portal earlier this week despite him being in-line for a big role in the offense.

Penn State previously added former Ohio State wide out Julian Fleming back in the spring, so that does help ease the loss of Lambert-Smith. But more reinforcements are necessary for the Nittany Lions, who are hoping to have a much-improved passing game in 2024.

Drew Allar is back for another season and Penn State hired highly-touted offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki this offseason. That combination of factors should make Penn State an attractive landing spot for receivers who find their way to the portal this spring.

Purdue: Running back

Purdue seems to have a pretty solid roster in Year 2 under Ryan Walters, particularly after the Boilermakers were very aggressive during the winter period. Purdue has already welcomed 16 transfers to West Lafayette this cycle.

However, there is an opening at running back after Christian Womack decided to enter the portal earlier this week. Womack wasn’t likely to play a significant role for Purdue this season, but the team now has just 3 scholarship running backs on the roster (and zero from the 2024 high school class). Adding another running back for depth purposes — at the very least — in a must.

Rutgers: Offensive line

Rutgers appears to be looking for a new right tackle in the transfer portal. The Scarlet Knights have extended at least one offer in this regard to former Colorado and Kent State tackle Savion Washington.

Reggie Sutton and Tyler Needham both played some right tackle for Rutgers last season and are slated to return to the program in 2024. However, both Sutton and Needham have dealt with injuries over the past year as well.

UCLA: Cornerback

UCLA is expected to be as active as any program in the Big Ten during the spring window. This will be the first opportunity for new head coach DeShaun Foster and his staff to recruit the portal since taking over in Westwood earlier this offseason.

The Bruins have plenty of needs, and Foster has not been shy about that fact. Cornerback gets the nod here because the Bruins lost a key starter in John Humphrey to USC this offseason. But expect UCLA to try to add talent on both sides of the ball.

“I’m looking for bigs on both sides of the ball. O-lineman. D-lineman. Tight end or maybe a running back. A couple of DBs. Maybe a quarterback,” Foster said last week, via the Los Angeles Daily News. “It just depends. I have 6 positions I want to address and then best available after that.”

USC: Defensive line

USC should be much-improved on the defensive side of the ball this season after hiring former UCLA DC De’Anton Lynn this offseason.

If there’s one area on defense that USC could look improving this spring, its the defensive line. Head coach Lincoln Riley acknowledged that an addition or two may still be coming this offseason.

“We might,” Riley said of potential defensive line additions. “We’ll certainly look and evaluate the spring. That’s one of those positions you never completely shut the door on.”

Washington: Offensive line

Almost all of Washington’s incredible 2023 offense found its way to the transfer portal or the NFL Draft this past offseason. The Huskies won the Joe Moore Award in 2023, but now find themselves needing to replace all 5 starters along their offensive line.

Jedd Fisch and his staff have not yet had the opportunity to recruit the portal since taking over. The Huskies did sign 15 transfers in the winter period, but they were only able to target grad transfers or players from programs who were in the portal following a coaching change. Nine of those 15 transfers followed Fisch from Arizona, and only 1 (Michael Watkins) plays along the offensive line. Expect them to be aggressive in adding talent all over the field in the coming weeks, but particularly at OL.

Wisconsin: Defensive line

Wisconsin is on the hunt for some help on the interior of its defensive line. The Badgers have already offered former Kent State defensive tackle CJ West, who earned all-MAC honors in 2023.

The Badgers allowed 3.84 yards per carry last season, which ranked 7th in the Big Ten. Wisconsin will be hoping to take a step forward in that regard in 2024.

The spring portal window will remain open until April 30.