Yesterday, we evaluated the biggest portal addition for each Big Ten team east of Indiana. Today, we take a look at the 10 programs on the west side of the conference, dissecting if their major portal addition will make a significant impact for their 2026 season.<\/p>\n
Illinois: QB Katin Houser (East Carolina)<\/p>\n
With starting quarterback Luke Altmyer out of college eligibility, plus losing two backup quarterbacks<\/a> to the portal, the Fighting Illini grabbed an immediate plug-and-play starter in East Carolina quarterback Katin Houser. He is already familiar with playing in the Big Ten, as he began his career at Michigan State. He really blossomed in 2025 for the Pirates, throwing for 3,300 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions.<\/p>\n Northwestern: QB Aidan Chiles (Michigan State)<\/p>\n Talk about falling upwards. After finishing above .500 last season, Northwestern made a big upgrade at quarterback in former Michigan State Spartan Aidan Chiles.<\/p>\n Chiles has had a shaky college career, thriving at Oregon State before struggling at Michigan State and eventually losing the starting job at the end of 2025. Nonetheless, the talent is definitely there for him, who has 4,116 career passing yards with 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. What will be big for Chiles\u2019 development is the addition of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and quarterbacks coach Jerry Neuheisel.<\/p>\n Wisconsin: QB Colton Joseph (Old Dominion)<\/p>\n The Badgers tried to go through the portal last season to find their starter with Billy Edwards Jr., and they went back to the portal to bring in Old Dominion\u2019s Colton Joseph. He had a huge 2025 season<\/a> where he threw for 2,624 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while rushing for 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns. Wisconsin is hoping he can bring the program back to a place where it has not been for years.<\/p>\n Iowa: DB Tyler Brown (James Madison)<\/p>\n The Hawkeyes made some big moves in the portal, but knowing the history of Iowa defensive backs, James Madison transfer Tyler Brown could be the next star. He finished last season with 80 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and six pass deflections with James Madison. He posted a PFF coverage grade of 80.1 and had an elite tackling grade of 86.6. Brown\u2019s biggest plus is he is versatile in the secondary, bringing a badly-needed element to Phil Parker\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n Minnesota: DL Xion Chapman (FIU)<\/p>\n The Gophers heavily prioritized building the trenches this offseason to compete with the top dogs in the conference. The biggest get was Florida International defensive tackle Xion Chapman, who has been a fast riser in college. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder started at the DII level and moved up to DI last year, where he looked the part<\/a> with 23 pressures and two sacks.<\/p>\n Nebraska: QB Anthony Colandrea (UNLV)<\/p>\n After a bit of quarterback controversy this offseason, the Cornhuskers were able to land former UNLV starting quarterback Anthony Colandrea. Winning the job over former Michigan quarterback Alex Orji, Colandrea had 3,459 passing yards and 33 touchdowns in his first year with the Rebels, along with 649 rushing yards. Nebraska has a tough schedule in 2026, so it will need the 2025 Mountain West Player of the Year to step up.<\/p>\n UCLA: RB Wayne Knight (JMU)<\/p>\n Not only did UCLA hire former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney, but he brought in 44 transfers during the offseason, including many of the stars that made up the Dukes\u2019 historic season in 2025.<\/p>\n