Ranking the Big Ten's top transfer portal additions for 2022
Today we continue a weekly series examining transfer activity across the Power Five conferences. Here's our ranking of the five biggest transfer portal additions in the conference over the 2022 offseason.
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RELATED: Ranking the SEC's top transfer portal additions for '22
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1. C Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan
Oluwatimi made his move from Charlottesville to Ann Arbor after the firing of then head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Oluwatimi started his collegiate career at the Air Force Academy but never saw any playing action for the Falcons before transferring to Virginia.
Oluwatimi would go on to play 36 games for the Cavaliers, starting in 35 of them. As a redshirt senior Oluwatimi was named a second-team All-American and was one of three Rimington Trophy finalists. The award goes to the top center in college football. He entered the portal for a second time, landing at Michigan for his final year of eligibility.
The skinny: It is expected that Oluwatimi will step in right away and start for Michigan. The Wolverines captured the Joe Moore Award (top offensive line unit) last season and now have seemingly upgraded at the center spot while returning three other starters. Oluwatimi performed at an All-American level last season and was recently named to ESPN's preseason All-America first team. Oluwatimi should be in the conversation for the best center in the country.
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2. QB Casey Thompson, Nebraska
Texas had a great off-season, but the Longhorns took a hit when the incumbent starter at QB left the program for "greener pastures" in Lincoln, Neb. Thompson found himself a home and a spot where he is presumably the starting quarterback.
After just two games, resulting in a 1-1 record, Thompson took over for then-starter Hudson Card. He would then go on to start 10 games for the Longhorns, throwing for 2,113 yards, 24 TDs and nine interceptions. He added 157 yards and four TDs on the ground. The high number of interceptions is a point of concern and something that needs to be improved upon next season.
The skinny: There are concerns about the difference in surrounding skill position talent going from Texas to Nebraska. But with former Pitt and new Huskers' offensive coordinator Mark Whipple bringing a little Kenny Pickett influence to Lincoln, Thompson should thrive. Look for Thompson to take control of the job and lead Nebraska to an improved record in 2022 (3-9 in 2021).
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3. RB Jarek Broussard, Michigan State
The Spartans are looking to replace Doak Walker Award-winning running back and former Wake Forest transfer Kenneth Walker III. Mel Tucker dug into the transfer portal and went back to his old team, grabbing the Buffaloes' leading rusher over the last two seasons.
Broussard earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors after rushing for 895 yards over the course of six games in 2020 (149.2 yards per game, third nationally). His numbers took a hit in 2021, totaling just 661 yards and two TDs. He isn't much of a receiving threat at this point, with just 146 yards over the last two seasons, but is a home-run threat on the ground.
The skinny: Don't expect the second-coming of Walker. However, Michigan State brought Broussard in with the intention of him being the lead back this year for the Spartans. There is a sizable workload and role available for the 5-foot-9 back to take on, and he is more than capable of producing big numbers. Broussard should be Michigan State's starting running back, averaging somewhere around 15 to 17 carries per game.
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4. DB Tanner McCalister, Ohio State
In 2021, the Buckeyes fielded one of the most prolific offenses we have seen. With a Heisman runner-up at QB, three 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher, Ohio State was an elite defense away from being in the College Football Playoff. This offseason, the Buckeyes brought over defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State.
McCalister exercised his final year of eligibility and followed his coach to Columbus. He brings experience and knowledge of Knowles' system to the Buckeyes and should help improve the defensive backfield. McCalister started 23 games for the Cowboys over the last two seasons, recording 78 tackles, 10 pass breakups, three tackles for loss and one interception.
The skinny: McCalister should be a rock in the Ohio State secondary as a starter at safety. Coming in as a three-time First-Team Academic All-Big 12, it shows not only is he heady and talented on the field, but off it as well. McCalister might not have the flashiest stats or be a ballhawk, but his consistency from game to game will be welcomed by the Buckeyes faithful.
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5. DE Ochaun Mathis, Nebraska
It was a touch surprising to see a player of Mathis' caliber sit in the portal for as long as he did. Finally, the 6-foot-5 pass rusher decided to take his talents to Lincoln to suit up for Nebraska. One of the most productive players in the entire transfer portal finds himself transitioning from the Big 12 to the Big Ten.
Mathis had a monster 2020 season during which he recorded nine sacks in a shortened 10-game season. He followed it up in 2021 with only four sacks but still landed on the Second-Team All-Big 12 in both seasons. During Mathis' TCU tenure, he recorded 135 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks and four pass breakups.
The skinny: Nebraska is in dire need of an elite pass rusher, and the Huskers will have one if Mathis can repeat his 2020 production. Nebraska sacked the opposing teams' QBs just 20 times all of last season, so Mathis should provide some much-needed pressure in the backfield. Mathis is expected to be a starter for the Huskers.