Indiana football shocked the world and went undefeated with its first national championship in program history last season. Coach Curt Cignetti lost a long list of players to the NFL Draft, but has since reloaded the roster with impact transfer portal additions.
Across the Big Ten, Oregon and Ohio State are considered top national title contenders in 2026, along with Indiana. All three schools have made impact additions via the portal.
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UCLA also added an impressive portal class after hiring Bob Chesney from James Madison, which made the College Football Playoff in 2025. Michigan also added some pieces after hiring Kyle Whittingham from Utah.
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Here’s a look at 10 Big Ten transfers that can make huge impacts heading into the 2026 season:
Indiana’s Josh Hoover (10) during Indiana University’s football camp practice on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Indiana lost Heisman Trophy quarterback Fernando Mendoza to the NFL Draft, and is hoping Josh Hoover, a veteran starter from TCU, can keep the offense humming in 2026.
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Hoover is a gunslinger, passing for 9,629 yards with 79 touchdowns in three seasons as the starter. However, the Horned Frogs’ pass-heavy style and the tendency to fall behind in games led to Hoover throwing double-digit interceptions in each of the past two seasons, with 33 in his career.
He’ll have top-tier receivers to throw to in Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh and returner Charlie Becker, and won’t be asked to pass as much with Indiana’s run game, which could lower his turnover numbers.
Oregon defensive back Koi Perich talks with the press during Oregon Football’s media day at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on August 3, 2026.
Oregon landed Dillon Thieneman from Purdue last year, and turned the former Big Ten safety into a first-round pick. It’s hoping to do the same with former Minnesota safety Koi Perich.
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Perich was one of the best playmaking defensive backs in college football last season for the Golden Gophers, making 82 total tackles with a sack and a forced fumble. He also had five interceptions as a true freshman in 2024.
Perich has the chance to be one of the most impactful defensive players in all of college football this season from the back-end of the Ducks‘ defense.
John Henry Daley followed new Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham to Ann Arbor from Utah and will be the Wolverines‘ premier pass rusher, barring any injury concerns.
Daley is coming back from a season-ending Achilles tear at the end of last season amid one of the biggest breakouts in college football. After transferring from BYU and playing in limited fashion the first three seasons of his career, Daley ended 2025 with two forced fumbles and 11.5 sacks, which was tied-for the seventh most in college football despite his season ending after 11 games.
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Daley is healthy and practicing in Michigan’s fall camp, but the Wolverines are monitoring the star edge rusher as he returns.
James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) tries to avoid the tackle of Louisville Cardinals linebacker Antonio Watts (9) during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
An All-American last season by multiple outlets, Wayne Knight also followed his former head coach, joining up with Bob Chesney from James Madison at UCLA.
Knight was a difference-maker last season for the Dukes, rushing for 1,373 yards with nine touchdowns, also catching 40 passes for 397 yards and another score. He has a small frame at 5-7, 193 pounds, but showed he can hold his own against tougher opponents. Against Oregon in the College Football Playoff, he rushed for 110 yards on 6.5 yards per carry.
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Knight is on multiple preseason All-American teams ahead of the 2026 season, and has huge expectations in his final season of eligibility.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Terry Moore (11) participates in the third day of training camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Aug. 8, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State had a hole in its secondary following the departures of Caleb Downs and Lorenzo Styles Jr., so it went out and grabbed two of the best defensive backs available in Terry Moore and Earl Little Jr. from Duke and Florida State, respectively.
Moore was incredibly productive for the Blue Devils, making 71 total tackles with two forced fumbles and four interceptions last season. He also has 3.5 career sacks, and was even used offensively early in his career, with 29 career rushes and five receptions.
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Moore should plug right into Matt Patricia’s defense that’s expected to be one of college football’s best in 2026.
Sahir West, UCLA
UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Hall Schmidt (65) defends against defensive lineman Sahir West (15) during the spring game at Rose Bowl.
Another James Madison transfer, Sahir West broke out in a huge way as a redshirt freshman in 2025, totaling seven sacks.
The 6-3, 279-pound edge rusher has been giving the Bruins‘ offense fits in fall camp, and was also listed on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List,” which details some of the best athletes in college football.
Chesney is hoping West is ready for the jump in competition, and he could be a standout this season.
Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (1) and his teammates participate in a drill during the Badgers’ ninth spring practice at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on April 16, 2026.
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell was considered a home-run hire for the Badgers after leaving Cincinnati, but his tenure hasn’t gone quite to plan. His job may depend on how Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph performs on the field.
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Wisconsin is hoping Joseph can be the answer to its quarterback woes the past few seasons after passing for 2,624 yards with 21 touchdowns to 10 interceptions in 2025, along with 1,007 rushing yards and 13 additional scores.
Joseph stands 6-2, 212 pounds, and possesses elite rushing ability. If his frame can hold up against the Big Ten, Wisconsin’s offense could be one of the most-improved units in the conference.
Nick Marsh, Indiana
Indiana’s Nick Marsh (11) during Indiana University’s football camp practice on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Nick Marsh’s talent is undeniable, although his numbers suggest otherwise thanks to some shaky quarterback play in his two seasons at Michigan State. Still, the junior was able to catch 100 passes for 1,311 yards with nine touchdowns for some bad Spartans teams.
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Now at Indiana, Marsh will have a chance to lead the Hoosiers’ receiving corps along with Charlie Becker, catching passes from Hoover, a multi-year starter at TCU.
Marsh possesses elite size at 6-3, 213 pounds, and was one of the best yards-after catch receivers in the Big Ten last season. Playing in a better offense should do wonders from one of the most sought-after receivers in the transfer portal.
Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht (3) throws a pass during the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium.
Former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht has been steady in his college career, passing for 9,274 yards with 83 total touchdowns to 27 interceptions in three seasons with the Cyclones.
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Becht followed former ISU coach Matt Campbell to Happy Valley, and brings a veteran presence to the Nittany Lions with numerous of his former teammates following. The 6-1 quarterback doesn’t boast a ton of upside, but he’ll bring a very high floor each week to Penn State’s offense.
He’ll likely face some tougher defenses in the Big Ten than he did in the Big 12, but Becht should be able to handle the responsibilities.
North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Terrell Anderson (9) runs the ball past Duke Blue Devils saftey DaShawn Stone (8) during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium.
There are a lot of targets up for grabs at USC after starters Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane were selected early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Enter Terrell Anderson, a transfer from NC State.
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Anderson will lead USC’s receivers alongside returner Tanook Hines, catching passes from one of the top returning quarterbacks nationally in Jayden Maiava. Anderson finished the 2025 season with 39 receptions for 625 yards with five touchdowns, and was the No. 10 ranked player overall in the transfer portal, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings.
The top two receivers usually eat in Lincoln Riley’s offense, and Anderson is in line for a productive season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Ten football’s 10 most impactful transfers for 2026: From Josh Hoover to Terry Moore
