Spring training will begin for most teams across the country in March and there will be many hotly contested position battles involving transfer players.
Rivals.com takes a look at five Big Ten battles involving transfers.
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NEBRASKA QUARTERBACK
Competitors: Casey Thompson (return starter) vs. Jeff Sims (Georgia Technology)
Insight: Thompson struggled with injuries last season but started 10 games for the Huskers, completing 63% of his passes for 2,407 yards with 17 touchdowns against 10 interceptions while rushing for five extra scores. Sims transferred to Nebraska this offseason with a ton of accolades, passing for 4,464 yards with 30 touchdowns to 23 interceptions while rushing for 1,152 yards and 11 scores in his three seasons with the Yellow Jackets.
Prediction: The slate is clean with Matt Rhule now in charge at Nebraska and while Thompson’s accomplishments from last season should carry some weight, Sims might be the best all-around talent on the quarterback depth chart. Give me the new guy.
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MICHIGAN STATE RETURNING
Competitors: Nathan Carter (UConn) against. Jaren Mangham (FUS)
Insight: Jalen Berger, the Spartans’ top rusher from a year ago returns after rushing for 683 yards and six touchdowns. However, Mel Tucker brought in Carter and Mangham this offseason to help bolster a rushing Michigan State offense that finished 12th in the Big Ten in 2022. Mangham rushed for 1,251 yards and 23 touchdowns during his four-year career with Colorado and recently USF. Carter was limited to just four games last season, finishing with 405 rushing yards and a touchdown. He rushed for 983 yards and three touchdowns the past two seasons at UConn.
Prediction: With Berger back, it’s more of a save battle between incoming transfers and I think Mangham can become half a good punch in the Spartan’s backfield.
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WISCONSIN QUARTERBACK
Competitors: Tanner Mordecai (EMS) against. Nick Evers (Oklahoma)
Insight: A new regime under Luc Fickel equates to a new offensive scheme and a new starter at quarterback. Mordecai comes to Madison having passed for 7,152 yards with 72 touchdowns against 22 interceptions the past two seasons with the Mustangs. Evers only appeared in one game in his only season with the Sooners, but was a Rivals250 prospect coming out of high school.
Prediction: All signs point to Mordecai winning the quarterback battle for the 2023 season, but Evers is the future.
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RETURN TO MINNESOTA
Competitors: Trey Pott (best return) vs. Sean Tyler (West Michigan)
Insight: Minnesota is looking to replace Mohammad Ibrahim, the Big Ten’s top rusher in 2022 and the programs’ all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. Potts is the Gophers’ leading returning contributor, with 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns over the past three seasons. PJ Fleck and his staff also brought in Tyler, who recorded 2,177 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry over the past two seasons with the Broncos.
Prediction: While in the MAC, Tyler has put up solid numbers the past two seasons and also brings more versatility into the backfield as a passer.
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NEBRASKA END
Competitors: Thomas Fidon (returning) vs. Arik Gilbert (Georgia)
Insight: As Nebraska begins a new chapter in its schedule under Matt Rhule, another intriguing spring battle will loom on the horizon. Gilbert has been one of the big transfer gates for the Huskers this offseason. However, the former No. 9 prospect in the 2020 class only had two catches for 16 yards and a touchdown during his time in Athens. Fidone is another top talent who was ranked No. 36 nationally in the Class of 2021, but his college career has so far been set back by two knee injuries during his many seasons at Nebraska.
Prediction: While his time at Georgia was forgettable, Gilbert burst onto the scene as a rookie at USL while carrying 35 catches for 368 yards and two scores. I think he’s due for a rebound.
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