From conference realignment to the transfer portal, the Big Ten will look drastically different in 2024. Several new faces will arrive, but plenty more will depart.
Today, we’re looking at the players who left their current schools to find new opportunities.
Top Big Ten Transfer Portal Departures in 2023
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10) Trikweze Bridges, CB, Oregon
Most of the college football world got their first glimpse of Trikweze Bridges when Oregon faced Washington in the regular season. Injuries to both starting cornerbacks on the same play thrust Bridges onto the field, and the Huskies didn’t waste any time attacking him.
His long frame helped him quite a bit against guys like Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk, and that film will be a big reason why other Power Five schools give him offers. There are some things to clean up in his game, but he’s shown plenty of promise for the future.
9) Chip Trayanum, RB, Ohio State
Chip Trayanum has options at multiple positions, something that many in the transfer portal don’t get to experience. Originally, he came to Ohio State to play linebacker after playing running back at Arizona State. Injuries to TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams thrust him back into his original position, and he was a solid depth piece for the Buckeyes.
MORE: 2023 CFN All-Transfer Portal Team
With Henderson returning to school and the talent that Ohio State recruits, Trayanum decided he didn’t want to be a rotational player next year. He wants the spotlight, and he should get it — whether that’s at running back or linebacker.
8) Corey Dyches, TE, Maryland
Corey Dyches doesn’t have the best frame that teams look for, but he’s a reliable pass catcher who creates mismatches for his quarterback. Back-to-back 400-yard seasons got his name in the spotlight, and now he’s looking for an offense that could build upon his success at Maryland.
7) Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
Plenty of talent hit the transfer portal from Indiana, but certain positions will see a bump in their value as college football free agents. Offensive linemen are tough to find, so guys like Carter Smith should receive plenty of offers from various schools. Again, Indiana didn’t have a great year, but the Hoosiers weren’t lacking talent by any means.
6) Donaven McCulley, WR, Indiana
Originally committed to Indiana as a quarterback, Donaven McCulley made the transition to wide receiver after just one season with the Hoosiers. A tough season featuring few bright spots saw McCully stand out for the passing attack, and now he’s getting plenty of attention thanks to his 6’5″ frame.
5) Raleek Brown, RB/WR, USC
Anyone looking for an explosive weapon should look no further than Raleek Brown. Now that he has experience at both running back and wide receiver, his skillset should warrant plenty of offers.
Brown’s speed makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators. He just needs the ball more. In two seasons with USC, he produced 436 yards and seven touchdowns on 64 touches. Those numbers don’t do his skillset justice, but it’s mostly because of how crowded the skill position rooms were with the Trojans.
4) Kyle McCord, QB, Ohio State
After a disappointing season, Ohio State learned they’d need a new quarterback for the 2024 season. That message essentially sent Kyle McCord to the transfer portal. Having lost C.J. Stroud to the NFL last offseason, Ohio State turned to McCord to keep the offense running, but he never seemed to find a groove.
A job like Ohio State isn’t one you leave by choice very often, but it became clear that the Buckeyes would add a quarterback in the offseason. McCord decided not to stick around to see who that would be. In the end, it was probably the right move. Both sides needed a change, and he may find a new home in the same conference.
3) Julian Fleming, WR, Ohio State
Stuck in the shadows of the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave, Julian Fleming hasn’t gotten a chance to show the world what he can do. With 79 catches to his name at Ohio State, he’s shown flashes of his potential. Now he’s looking for another school to make him more of a focal point in the offense.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
At 6’2″ and 215 pounds, Fleming brings a good frame to the portal. He’s a former highly touted recruit who had plenty of buzz coming to Columbus, and now he’s hoping to revive that hype.
2) Deion Burks, WR, Purdue
The college football world was introduced to Deion Burks in Week 1 when he torched Fresno State. An explosive weapon, fans were hoping that marked the start of an incredible season. While he still caught 47 passes for 629 yards and seven touchdowns, he never reached the heights of that first game.
Burks remains a top target in the transfer portal. If he can find consistency, he’ll be a big-time playmaker at his next school. Following Jeff Brohm to Louisville could be an option, though he has plenty of schools interested.
1) Dante Moore, QB, UCLA
Not only was Dante Moore’s recruitment a roller coaster, but his first season in college was too. The former five-star showed flashes of his potential early in the season but also struggled mightily at times. UCLA was forced to put him in earlier than expected, and it was clear he wasn’t fully ready.
With Moore in the transfer portal, many teams still want him. Multiple Power Five schools will be in the running. Could he go back to Oregon — where he was committed before choosing UCLA? Will he go back home to Michigan?