Big ten winners and losers from the transfer portal’s winter window

INDIANA

Curt Cignetti and his staff brought in a huge group of transfers last offseason when they took over Indiana program and, after making the College Football Playoff, they are sticking to their strategy again this transfer cycle.

This class leads Fernando Mendozadesired Cal quarterback from last season. Indiana fans are hoping he can repeat the same magical season Kurtis Rourke did this year. A duo of runners Roman Hemby of Maryland and Lee Beebe Jr. of UAB should help take the pressure off Mendoza. The Hoosiers also bring help on the offensive line Zen Michalski of Ohio State and Kahlil Benson from Cal.

NEBRASKA

Matt Rhule and the company lost some talent shortly after the portal opened, but they more than made up for it with a few really important transfers. Nebraska dramatically improved his receiving corps by retention Isaiah Neyor and signing ex Kentucky receiver Dan Key and former recipient of the Cal Nyziah Hunter.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cornhuskers added one of the nation’s most promising young defensive backs Williams Nwaneri of Missouri. Pairing him with another younger defensive lineman Keona Davis should bode well for Nebraska. Linebacker Dasan McCullough of Oklahoma brings great experience to Lincoln. So far, Nebraska is tied for the most four-star transfers in the Big Ten.

OHIO STATE

Ohio State is not extremely active on the transfer portal because the program does not need to add many players to its roster, but Ryan Day and his staff will go for a few top signings if they know a player can contribute significantly on the field.

So far, the Buckeyes have signed five transfers, with four rated as four-star prospects. An attack within an attack Ethan Onianwa is a top 30 transfer prospect and Max Clare is the No. 1 tight end on the transfer list.

Ohio State also signed the former West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson Jr. and former Idaho State linebacker Logan George. Both are expected to play fairly significant roles next season.

OREGON

The Ducks currently only have five transfer commitments, but three of them are among the top-ranked transfers in the country. Ex Purdue star defensive back Dillon Thieneman and former Nevada offensive lineman Isaiah World were big additions for Oregon and both are top 15 transfer prospects.

Dan Lanning and the staff also brings in No. 53 overall transfer prospects Alex Harkeyoffensive lineman from Texas State. Oregon did not officially win the first-place transfer and former Tulane star Makhi Hughes but the Ducks are the heavy favorite to sign him. They also signed earlier USC and Georgia defensive lineman Bear Alexander and ex Louisville tight end Jamari Johnson.

PURDUE

Purdue fans had to be concerned when the Boilermakers didn’t hire a head coach until the day before the transfer portal opened. This resulted in Purdue losing many of its top players. Defensive back Dillon Thieneman left for Oregon. Tight end Max Clare he also stayed in the Big Ten when he landed at Ohio State. Defensive end Will Heldt made history when he moved to Clemson. Defensive back Tarrion Grant (Texas Tech) and defensive attack Cole Brevard (Texas) both went to the Lone Star State.