Ben Kenney
June 30, 2024 7:50 am CT
The Big Ten Conference’s expansion to 18 teams means it and the SEC are now the two official powers in college football.
The top 10 of ESPN SP+’s preseason ranking includes five SEC teams (Georgia at No. 1, Texas at No. 4, Alabama at No. 5, Ole Miss at No. 8 and LSU at No. 9) and four Big Ten teams (Ohio State at No. 2, Oregon at No. 3, Michigan at No. 6 and Penn State at No. 7). The only other inclusion is Notre Dame, which still operates as an independent.
Related: Big Ten Football Power Index Rankings for 2024: Which teams are underrated, overrated?
The high ratings of those teams are all due to strong talent bases and exceptional recruiting performance. The top 10 of a given class’ recruiting rankings usually loosely translates to the top 10 of the on-field ranking once those recruits get on campus.
This link remains strong even in today’s era of the transfer portal. But the prominence of the portal adds a layer to how programs acquire talent and build their rosters that is still yet to be fully analyzed. Top transfers can immediately change the landscape of an entire conference, let alone just a given team’s outlook.
For that reason, no Big Ten football 2024 season preview is complete without a comprehensive look at the conference’s most impactful incoming transfers.
This is not a list of the best or the highest-rated transfers entering the Big Ten this season, but rather a list of the players who will have the biggest impacts on the conference race. Here is our ranking, from 15-to-1:
15
OT J.C. Davis (Illinois)
Sep 2, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; New Mexico Lobos running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (5) celebrates his touchdown with teammate offensive lineman J.C. Davis (75) during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats (at New Mexico): 84.5 PFF grade, 12 starts at left tackle, First-Team All-Mountain West, PFF’s No. 4-graded tackle in the nation and No. 1 in the Group of 5
Illinois added arguably the best offensive tackle in the Group of 5 this offseason in Davis. He will slide in as the day-one starter at left tackle protecting QB Luke Altmyer’s blind side. While the Illini are not expected to do much this offseason, Davis changes their offensive outlook immediately.
14
WR Jahmal Banks (Nebraska)
Sep 17, 2022; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Jahmal Banks (80) makes a touchdown catch against the Liberty Flames during the second half at Truist Field. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats (at Wake Forest): 59 receptions, 653 yards, 4 touchdowns
Nebraska will add an experienced No. 1-level wide receiver in Banks to an offense that desperately needs production. Five-star QB Dylan Raiola will start under center and should need all the help that he can get.
The Cornhuskers will be dominant on defense. But a breakout season from Banks at WR means the team is also dangerous on offense.
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions onCornhuskers Wire
13
QB Aidan Chiles (Michigan State)
Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles looks to the sideline during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats (at Oregon State): 24/35 309 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 79 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns
Michigan State new head coach Jonathan Smith brought former four-star recruit Aidan Chiles with him from Oregon State this offseason. Chiles has as much potential as anybody in the conference, the question is whether he can realize it. 2024 may be a growing year for the young quarterback, but he could be dangerous in 2025 and 2026.
He has program-changing potential.
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions onSpartans Wire
12
WR Jeremiah Hunter (Washington)
Nov 25, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter (3) catches a 13-yard touchdown pass against UCLA Bruins defensive back John Humphrey (6) in the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats (at Cal): 63 catches, 731 yards, 7 touchdowns
Hunter was one of Jedd Fisch’s many big additions of the offseason. He’ll join transfer QB Will Rogers (who is also on this list) and hope to continue Washington’s long history of dynamic passing offense.
The former Cal Bear is the likely WR1 on a team in Washington that should step back in 2024, though will still be competitive.
Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions onHuskies Wire
11
QB Max Brosmer (Minnesota)Introducing your new quarterback #Gophers Nation.. Max Brosmer is a leader and ready to play in The Big 10 Conference pic.twitter.com/n5TW6eZ0rf
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) March 23, 2024
2023 Stats (at New Hampshire):291 of 455 passing, 3,459 yards, 7.6 yards per attempt, 19 touchdowns, six interceptions
Brosmer could make Minnesota a wild card this season. He was the most accomplished passer at the FCS level in 2023, so there is a question about how his game will translate to the Big Ten. But the Gophers could surprise many this season if Brosmer is a sizable upgrade over former QB Athan Kaliakmanis.
10
S Kamari Ramsey (USC)
Sep 23, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Kamari Ramsey (27) tackles Utah Utes running back Jaylon Glover (1) in the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats (at UCLA): 40 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 4 pass deflections
Ramsey is not one of the best transfers of this cycle. But he could have one of the biggest impacts.
Former UCLA DC D’Anton Lynn took the same position with the Trojans with HC Lincoln Riley desperately needing to re-shape his defense. Ramsey follows Lynn across town to USC and will have a lot to say about whether USC’s horrific defensive record suddenly takes a turn.
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions onTrojans Wire
9
WR Julian Fleming (Penn State)
Apr 13, 2024; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Julian Fleming (3) runs behind the line of scrimmage during the second quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The White team defeated the Blue team 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats (at Ohio State): 26 catches, 270 yards, 0 touchdowns
Fleming played a small role for most of his time at Ohio State behind stars Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Emeka Egbuka. His best season came in 2022: 533 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns.
He now transfers to rival Penn State as James Franklin’s team looks to finally reach the College Football Playoff. Fleming needs to have a big season to make that a possibility.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions onNittany Lions Wire
8
LB Jaishawn Barham (Michigan)
Sep 10, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Maryland Terrapins linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) during the second half against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats (at Maryland): 37 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 1 interception
Barham was Maryland’s defensive leader and now transfers to Michigan to play a similar role. The Wolverines’ best additions are some of the players they retained after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL. But Barham is the best of the transfer group and should have a say in whether the Wolverines’ defense continues its stellar performance.
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions onWolverines Wire
7
RB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) runs the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats (at Ole Miss): 271 carries, 1,158 yards, 15 touchdowns
Usually a second running back wouldn’t make this list. But a player the caliber of Judkins has the chance to change an offense, and it just so happens that Ohio State already had that type of running back in TreVeyon Henderson.
Ohio State’s transfer class is by far the most impactful of any in the conference. Judkins is a big piece of that group.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions onBuckeyes Wire
6
QB Will Rogers (Washington)
Mississippi State QB Will Rogers (2) passes against Ole Miss during the second half of the Egg Bowl at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats (at Mississippi State):Eight games, 142 of 237 passing, 1,626 yards, 6.9 yards per attempt, 12 touchdowns, four interceptions
Washington does not project as a true conference contender in 2024. But the Huskies will go as far as transfer QB Will Rogers can take them, which could be to the College Football Playoff. The experienced QB has put up huge numbers for years at Mississippi State and now enters a pass-happy offensive scheme under new head coach Jedd Fisch.
Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions onHuskies Wire
5
WR Evan Stewart (Oregon)
Sep 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Evan Stewart (1) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats (at Texas A&M): 38 receptions, 514 yards, 4 touchdowns
The top of this ranking will be dominated by Oregon and Ohio State — the two conference favorites, and the two teams with the most big-time portal additions.
Stewart will slot into a dynamic Oregon offense as one of its top options. The offense put up prolific numbers in 2023 and projects to do the same in 2024. Stewart will have a big hand in that production.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions onDucks Wire
4
QB Tyler Van Dyke (Wisconsin)
Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke throws a pass as coach Luke Fickell watches during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats (at Miami):11 games, 219 of 333 passing, 2,703 yards, 8.1 yards per attempt, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions
Wisconsin is similar to Washington in 2024 in that it won’t contend for the conference title, but could pull some massive upsets on the way to a College Football Playoff birth. Veteran transfer Tyler Van Dyke will be the reason that breakthrough does or does not happen. He is the Badgers’ most important player entering 2024, and could be the conference’s most important if the team breaks through.
3
S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
Mar 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) stretches with wide receiver Kojo Antwi (14) during the first spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats (at Alabama): 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble
Caleb Downs may be the single best player in the Big Ten this season, regardless of position. He was the leader of the Alabama defense in 2023 as only a true freshman. He’ll now step into the same role for an Ohio State unit that projects to be the best in the country.
Minus the quarterbacks, no transfer will have a bigger impact on the season than Downs.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions onBuckeyes Wire
2
QB Will Howard (Ohio State)
April 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) of the scarlet team throws a pass to running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats (at Kansas State):12 games, 219 of 357 passing, 2,643 yards, 7.4 yards per attempt, 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 81 carries, 351 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns
Ohio State’s team is fantastic, the only question is what Howard can be. He was a good (not great) quarterback at Kansas State and is an easy upgrade over Kyle McCord. There is no player who will have a greater say in the Big Ten race than Howard — for better or for worse.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions onBuckeyes Wire
1
QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws during warmups ahead of the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. Credit: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats (at Oklahoma):12 games, 266 of 384 passing, 3,660 yards, 10.4 yards per attempt, 30 touchdowns, six interceptions, 93 carries, 373 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns
Dillon Gabriel is likely the best quarterback in the Big Ten entering 2024. If not, he’s certainly the most accomplished. Gabriel put up incredible numbers at Oklahoma last season and enters an even friendlier offensive system.
Given that the Ducks have a national title-caliber roster, it’s on Gabriel to deliver on that potential.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions onDucks Wire
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