This article is the first of two parts. The focus? On the notable players who transferred from their teams in the Big Ten. While there are obviously many more who did transfer than I’ll have listed here, the goal is to look at the main losses.
Illinois Fighting Illini
DL Tomiwa Durojaiye
Durojaiye was named an honorable mention All-B1G defensive player by both the coaches and media. He finished the season with 2.0 sacks (T-2nd on team), was second on his team with 4.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and forced a fumble in 2025. Durojaiye epitomizes what it’s like being a college player in this era of the sport since he will be playing at his fifth school in five collegiate seasons. Nonetheless, he was a big part of the Fighting Illini defense this past season.
K David Olano
Olane was named an honorable mention All-B1G special teams player by the media in 2025 and the coaches in 2024. In his three years with Illinois, Olano was 37-of-43 on field goals and 83-of-84 on PATs. His longest made field goal as the starting kicker was 50 yards in 2024. In both 2023 and 2025, he functioned as the Illini’s kickoff specialist as well. Losing a reliable kicker like Olano (especially in college where kicking decides games more often than not) isn’t something that should be overlooked.
Indiana Hoosiers
QB Alberto Mendoza
The Hoosiers just completed the most improbable turnaround in College Football history. Fernando Mendoza, the older brother of Alberto Mendoza, led Indiana to an undefeated season and the program’s first ever National Championship. With Fernando set to go to the NFL and likely be taken first overall, his younger brother decided to transfer out. The Hoosiers did bring in talent in the portal though, including Josh Hoover to be the next quarterback, so Alberto decided to put his name in the transfer pool.
DL Hosea Wheeler
Wheeler was a key piece of Indiana’s defense in its National Championship season. After spending three seasons at Western Kentucky, he joined the Hoosiers’ defense, appearing in all 16 games and starting in five. Although Wheeler didn’t have any sacks, he did contribute 4.0 TFLs and made a solo tackle in the National Championship game against Miami. The former All-CUSA First Team selection is now set to join a new team.
Iowa Hawkeyes
S Koen Entringer
Entringer is a big loss for the Hawkeyes. He was third on the team with 73 total tackles this past season, earning him an honorable mention on the All-B1G teams from the coaches. Iowa’s defense was one of the stronger units in the country and the Hawkeyes were quite possibly the best four-loss team the sport has ever seen (it’s not that crazy of a stretch to say this). Iowa is losing a 2025 team captain in Entringer.
P Rhys Dakin
Even though he’s a punter, Dakin has had a great career so far in college. In 2024, he was named to FWAA’s Freshman All-American team, an All-B1G Second Team (media)/All-Big Ten Third Team (coaches) selection and earned a Ray Guy Punter of the Week Award. In his sophomore season, he was recognized as an All-B1G honorable mention (media). The Melbourne, Australia native has punted 106 times over his career, averaging 43.9 yards-per-punt across his two seasons with a career-long of 65 yards.
Maryland Terrapins
RB Nolan Ray
Maryland had the 13th-lowest rushing yards per game total (104.3) in the country. Outside of quarterback Malik Washington, the Terrapins primarily featured DeJuan Williams in the ground game, with Ray getting the second-most carries on the team. He turned 67 carries into 287 yards and two touchdowns while also catching 11 passes for 50 yards receiving. While not the flashiest of transfers per se, it’s still a depth piece that Maryland is losing.
IOL Aliou Bah
Across the past two seasons, Bah was a mainstay on the Terrapins’ offensive line, starting in all of his 24 games played. The former Georgia Bulldog is now headed back to the SEC to play for Lane Kiffin at LSU, further proving the value he provided for Maryland.
Michigan Wolverines
RB Justice Haynes
In his one (and only) season in the Big Ten, Haynes was on a roll before suffering a right-foot injury against Michigan State that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Even so, the former Alabama transfer posted 857 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on 121 carries, along with catching 13 passes for 50 yards. Despite playing in just seven games, Haynes was still selected by Big Ten coaches to the All-B1G Third Team, while earning an honorable mention from the media. In all but one game this season, Haynes rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown, finding the end zone more than once in three different outings. This is a significant loss for Michigan’s offense, even with the time Haynes missed.
LB Cole Sullivan
In his 11 games played in 2025, Sullivan finished fifth on his team in tackles with 44. This included 5.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks. Sullivan led the Wolverines in turnovers, with one forced fumble and a team-high three interceptions. While he did only start three games, his playmaking abilities on defense and his crucial role on special teams are something Michigan will miss.
S TJ Metcalf
As an All-B1G honorable mention (coaches), Metcalf was third on his team with 58 tackles in 2025. He started all 13 games in his now lone season at Michigan. His experience from playing at Arkansas and this past season at Michigan is a big loss, especially considering he started at both safety and nickel corner in 2025.
Michigan State Spartans
QB Aidan Chiles
Chiles struggled with injury in 2025, starting just eight games before an injury sidelined him for the final three games of the season. The talent is there with Chiles, he just hasn’t been able to put it all together for a full season. He did a good job of limiting turnovers in 2025, throwing just three interceptions while losing three fumbles (some of them were due to poor offensive line play). Chiles did lead MSU with six rushing scores, along with having two games where he both threw a touchdown pass and ran one in.
RB Makhi Frazier
Frazier led the Spartans with 560 rushing yards on 116 carries, as he started seven of the nine games he played in. He did have just two rushing touchdowns, but the Spartans as a whole had trouble scoring this year. While he missed three of the last four games due to injury, he recorded two games in which he rushed for over 100 yards.
WR Nick Marsh
As soon as Marsh entered his name into the transfer portal, he was one of the most coveted players. As a true sophomore, Marsh was recognized as an honorable mention All-B1G player as he led the Spartans in receiving with 59 catches for 662 yards and six touchdowns. In 2024, he set single-season program records for most receiving yards (649) and receptions (41) for a true freshman at Michigan State. He finished the 2024 season second in receiving yards per game (59.0) for Big Ten true freshman receivers, behind only Jeremiah Smith. He also had the fourth-most receiving yards of any true freshman in the country that year, behind Smith, Ryan Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
S Koi Perich
In his two seasons of college football, Perich has been one of the better safeties in the conference (and maybe even the country). Despite him not having the same success in 2025 as he did in 2024, Perich was still an All-B1G Second Team selection by the media (Third Team by the coaches). He had 82 tackles this past season, third-most for the Golden Gophers. In his true freshman season, Perich was an FWAA Freshman All-American, a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award finalist and a member of the All-B1G First Team as a defensive back. He’s also extremely talented as a kick returner, as he has returned 35 kickoffs for 813 yards and 38 punts for 306 yards. Perich also dabbled on offense in 2025, catching seven passes for 89 yards, including four catches for 34 yards in the 2025 Rate Bowl.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
QB Dylan Raiola
Raiola, a former 5-star recruit and No. 7-ranked player in his recruiting class per 247Sports, decided to take his talents elsewhere after his two seasons at Nebraska. As a true freshman, Raiola started in all 13 games, finishing with 2,819 passing yards and 13 passing touchdowns. His completion percentage of 67.1% in 2024 was the highest mark of all FBS freshmen and 13th best in the country. Additionally, he led all true freshmen in passing yards. In 2025, Raiola’s season was cut short after breaking his fibula against USC. In his nine games played this season, he threw for 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns while setting a Nebraska record with a 72.4% completion percentage (also fourth-best nationally).
Northwestern Wildcats
EDGE Anto Saka
Saka was an honorable mention All-B1G player this season from the media. In his 11 starts this season, Saka posted 4.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. In the two seasons prior, he had 9.0 total sacks and 11.5 TFLs. While the production didn’t necessarily show on paper, Saka did earn an 84.1 PFF pass rush grade, good for seventh in the conference. He’s now taking his talents to College Station to play for Texas A&M.
Ohio State Buckeyes
IOL Tegra Tshabola
Tshabola was named to the media’s All-B1G Third Team this past season. He allowed just one sack in 2025 per PFF, and that came in the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana. He has been the starting right guard for the Buckeyes the past two seasons, and didn’t allow a single sack per PFF in Ohio State’s National Championship season.
Oregon Ducks
EDGE Blake Purchase
Purchase had a solid season as a rotational edge rusher for the Ducks, posting 2.0 sacks and 4.5 TFLs. In Oregon’s College Football Playoff matchup with James Madison, Purchase blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown by his teammate and fellow transfer Jayden Limar. In the next round against Texas Tech, Purchase had a huge sack of Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton on a fourth down late in the fourth quarter.
Penn State Nittany Lions
TE Luke Reynolds
As a true freshman in 2024, Reynolds only caught nine passes for 11 yards and one touchdown, though he was behind first-round draft pick Tyler Warren. In his second year, Reynolds failed to find the end zone, but still caught 26 passes for 257 yards. His most notable career moment was in 2024 against Minnesota, where he had a 32-yard rush on a fake punt. The main thing with Reynolds is his sky-high potential, which he will bring with him as he follows James Franklin to Virginia Tech.
EDGE Chaz Coleman
Although he only appeared in nine games, Coleman was one of the most coveted players in this year’s transfer portal. He had 3.0 TFLs and a sack to go along with a forced fumble. As a 4-star recruit out of high school and rated as a 5-star in the portal, he is set to bring Tennessee a tremendous presence off the edge in 2026.
LB Amare Campbell
Campbell led Penn State in tackles this season with 103, a mark that was tied for sixth-most in the Big Ten, while also making 9.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks. He was named to the All-B1G Third Team (coaches) as his 64 solo tackles were the second-most in the conference and T-12th most in the country. Like many of his teammates on defense, Campbell is headed to play with the Volunteers next season. Despite just being a Nittany Lion for one season, he had his best one yet and will be a big loss for Penn State.
CB A.J. Harris
Harris didn’t see the same success in his junior campaign as he did in his sophomore one. While he still received recognition as an All-B1G honorable mention, he was an All-B1G Third Team selection in 2024. He had a measly 58.5 PFF coverage grade this past season, putting him at 99th in the Big Ten. Despite allowing 22 catches on the 24 targets he faced, the talent is still there as he looks for a fresh start.
S King Mack
In his junior season, Mack had a breakout season with the Nittany Lions. Not only was he honored as an honorable mention All-B1G by both media and coaches, but he was also the fourth-leading tackler on Penn State. He had one interception and three pass breakups as well. With all of the new influx of players that Matt Campbell brought in from Iowa State, Mack entered his name into the portal for the third time.
Purdue Boilermakers
WR Nitro Tuggle
Tuggle was the clear No. 2 receiver for the Boilermakers in 2025, hauling in 37 passes for 500 yards, both of which were good for second-most on his team. Additionally, he led the team with four receiving touchdowns. Purdue didn’t have a great season, but Tuggle did show flashes and will be an unfortunate loss for quarterback Ryan Browne and company.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
WR Ian Strong
In 2025, Strong earned an All-B1G honorable mention from both coaches and media for his play out wide. The junior, who many projected to be a Day 2 pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, caught 52 passes for 762 yards and five touchdowns. His yardage total put him at 10th in the conference in receiving yards, and he had the 12th-most catches. Per PFF, Strong only dropped one pass all season, making him a big get for Cal and its rising true sophomore quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
CB Bo Mascoe
Like Strong, Mascoe earned All-B1G honorable mentions from both the coaches and the media. The cornerback had two forced fumbles and one interception for the Scarlet Knights in 2025, along with 53 tackles (fifth on his team). Of the Big Ten defensive backs, Mascoe finished with an 83.1 PFF coverage grade, good for 14th in the conference when including the postseason.
UCLA Bruins
WR Kwazi Gilmer
As the No. 1 receiver for the Bruins in 2025, Gilmer caught 50 passes for 535 yards and four touchdowns, leading his team in all three categories. While the Bruins did hire a new head coach in Bob Chesney from James Madison, Nico Iamaleava remains the starting quarterback and he loses his main weapon from this past season.
LB Isaiah Chisom
Chisom was second on the Bruins with 84 total tackles, also good for 20th in the Big Ten. To go along with that, he had 2.5 TFLs and forced two fumbles in 2025. In UCLA’s season opener against Utah, Chisom recorded 17 tackles, the most for a Bruin in a single game this season. Losing his tackling prowess will for sure be missed by UCLA.
CB Andre Jordan Jr.
One of the better cornerbacks in the conference, Jordan was tied for second in the Big Ten with 10 pass breakups. He was recognized as an All-B1G honorable mention by both coaches and media in 2025, while also totaling 19 total tackles this year. Per PFF, Jordan allowed just 23 catches when targeted 45 times. Having a lockdown corner like Jordan leave is a big loss for UCLA.
USC Trojans
QB Husan Longstreet
Jayden Maiava had a great season for the Trojans, so seeing Longstreet transfer elsewhere isn’t surprising. The former 5-star recruit appeared in four games, where he was 13-of-15 passing for 103 yards and a touchdown along with his 11 carries that he turned into 76 rushing yards and two rushing scores. Longstreet would have been USC’s almost-guaranteed starting quarterback when Maiava decides to declare for the NFL draft, making this a noteworthy transfer.
TE Walker Lyons
In 2025, Lyons caught 20 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. While these numbers may not jump off the page, he was playing behind TE Lake McRee and sharing the field with Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon and other standout WR Ja’Kobi Lane. All three of those players are set to be taken in the NFL Draft, with Lemon projected to go in the first round (possibly in the top-10). Lyons would have most likely been one of the featured pieces in Lincoln Riley’s offense in 2026, but instead, he entered the transfer portal. He was also an All-B1G honorable mention (coaches) this past season, as his run blocking prowess was very impressive.
DL Devan Thompkins
Both the coaches and media recognized Thompkins as an All-B1G honorable mention for his play in 2025. The junior had 6.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks to go along with a forced fumble. The loss of his presence on USC’s defensive line will likely be felt by the Trojans in 2026.
Washington Huskies
RB Adam Mohammed
Mohammed had a strong season on the ground for the Huskies, especially considering he was running behind Jonah Coleman, and his quarterback, Demond Williams Jr., ran the ball a ton. Mohammed carried the rock 106 times for 523 yards and five rushing touchdowns, along with hauling in 17 passes for 138 receiving yards. If Coleman were to remain at Washington, Mohammed’s departure wouldn’t be as grave. However, as his former teammate heads to the NFL Draft, Mohammed entered his name into the transfer portal.
Wisconsin Badgers
IOL Joe Brunner
Brunner was recognized by the media as an All-B1G honorable mention in 2025. In 2024, he started all 12 games and had the third-highest PFF pass block grade (77.8) among Big Ten guards. In 2025, Brunner continued his strong play by starting all games at left guard once again. He didn’t allow a sack across 316 pressure opportunities per PFF, while committing just one penalty all season. Safe to say, there will be a big gap to fill at left guard for the Badgers.
LB Christian Alliegro
Both the media and coaches recognized Alliegro as an All-B1G honorable mention this past season. He missed two games with a broken arm in the middle of the 2025 season, yet he returned to finish the game against Ohio State, making 2.0 TFLs after getting hurt. Alliegro finished tied for third-most tackles on his team with 53, including the second-most TFLs on the team with 8.0 and making 4.0 sacks.
