Evaluating the Big Ten’s Offseason: ESPN Ranks Each Team’s Moves, Transfers, and Coaching Changes
As the dust settles from a whirlwind college football offseason, all eyes turn to the Big Ten Conference—a league poised for one of its most transformative seasons in recent memory. With significant coaching changes, a flurry of transfer portal activity, and strategic staff hires, each program has reshaped its roster and philosophy in hopes of contending in a redefined college football landscape. ESPN recently released its evaluation of every Big Ten program’s offseason performance, offering insights into how each team stacks up ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Top Performers: Powerhouses Reload and Rebuild
At the top of ESPN’s rankings are perennial contenders Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State—each of which made impactful moves to sustain or elevate their elite status.
Ohio State emerged as the biggest offseason winner. After a third consecutive loss to rival Michigan, head coach Ryan Day pulled no punches. He hired Chip Kelly, the former UCLA head coach, as his offensive coordinator—reuniting Kelly with quarterback transfer Dillon Gabriel, formerly of Oklahoma and UCF. The Buckeyes also made headlines by landing top-tier defensive backs and offensive linemen through the portal, while returning key players like running back TreVeyon Henderson and wideout Emeka Egbuka. ESPN lauded Ohio State for blending veteran leadership with fresh talent and ranked the Buckeyes No. 1 in offseason execution.
Michigan, coming off a national championship, faced the challenge of replacing Jim Harbaugh, who left for the NFL. New head coach Sherrone Moore, promoted from within, has impressed by maintaining continuity while retaining much of the program’s core identity. However, the Wolverines did see significant attrition with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, and several defenders leaving for the NFL. ESPN praised Moore’s steady hand but noted the team’s offseason wasn’t as splashy as some others, ranking Michigan just outside the top three.
Penn State continued its climb under James Franklin by making strategic portal additions, especially on the offensive line and wide receiver corps—areas that held the Nittany Lions back in recent seasons. With quarterback Drew Allar returning and new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki arriving from Kansas, expectations are high in Happy Valley.
Middle of the Pack: Building for the Future
Programs like Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska found themselves in ESPN’s mid-tier rankings. Each made notable moves, though questions remain.
Wisconsin, under second-year coach Luke Fickell, focused on reinforcing the defense and adding experience to the quarterback room. The Badgers brought in several experienced transfers, and their recruiting class shows long-term promise. However, ESPN cited inconsistency on offense as a lingering concern.
Iowa, known for its defensive prowess, made headlines by finally parting ways with offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz after years of underwhelming performance. The Hawkeyes hired former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester to overhaul the offense. Still, skepticism remains about whether the changes are enough to turn the unit around.
Nebraska, with Matt Rhule entering his second year, received credit for securing five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola through the portal. ESPN emphasized Raiola’s potential to redefine the Cornhuskers’ offense and revive fan enthusiasm. While Nebraska’s full turnaround is still in progress, the offseason moves were viewed positively.
Bottom of the Rankings: Uncertainty and Missed Opportunities
Programs such as Indiana, Northwestern, and Purdue found themselves near the bottom of ESPN’s list.
Indiana, following a disappointing season, replaced head coach Tom Allen with Curt Cignetti from James Madison. While Cignetti brings a proven track record at the Group of Five level, ESPN questioned whether Indiana had done enough in the portal to compete in an increasingly tough conference.
Northwestern, despite surprising many with a 7-5 record in 2024, faces questions under new full-time head coach David Braun. The Wildcats didn’t make significant transfer moves and appear content to develop from within. ESPN sees potential but ranked them low due to a lack of immediate upgrades.
Purdue, under Ryan Walters, also had a relatively quiet offseason. Though the Boilermakers added a few linemen and depth pieces, ESPN noted a lack of headline-grabbing moves that could elevate them out of the Big Ten’s bottom tier.
Looking Ahead
With USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington joining the Big Ten this season, the margin for error has never been slimmer. ESPN’s offseason rankings offer a snapshot of how each team has prepared for a rapidly evolving landscape. As the season approaches, these offseason moves will be tested under the bright lights—and only time will tell which programs made the most of their opportunities.
