The winter window of the transfer portal cycle opened up on December 9, 2024, and in the first week we saw well over 1,000 college football players enter the names into the database. It’s become one of the most important phases of roster building in college football, as the ability to add and retain talent during this window is vital to success in the following season.
There’s a wide variance of approaches to the transfer portal in the Big 12, with teams like Colorado essentially building their roster with 43 additions in the last cycle, to those that use it sparingly, like Iowa State who added just seven transfer last season.
Interestingly, both approaches proved fruitful for the 2024 season, as both the Buffs and Cyclones finished in a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12. This year is different, however, and the transfer portal is as active as its ever been. Just one week into the window, some rosters look totally different, while others haven’t made a single addition.
We’ve discussed the biggest winners and losers from the first week of action, but what are the biggest needs for each team going forward? Let’s take a look:
Arizona Wildcats
Biggest Need: Defensive Backs
Arizona’s secondary has been hit hard at both the corner and safety spots with Tacario Davis, Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, Gunner Maldonado, Emmanuel Karney, and Demetrius Freeney all entering the portal. Genesis Smith pulled his name out of the database, but they’re going to need more help.
Arizona State
Biggest Need: Cornerback
Arizona State has already lost Cole Martin to the portal and is set to lose Keontez Bradley and Laterrance Welch as well. With two wide receiver commitments in their class already, Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils can now turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball.
Related: Kenny Dillingham’s Approach to the Transfer Portal Should be the Standard
Baylor Bears
Biggest Need: Wide Receiver
Kobe Prentice was an excellent addition, but if Baylor’s offense wants to continue on the trajectory that it ended 2024 on, the Bears will need to add some major targets for Sawyer Robertson to attack secondaries with in 2025.
BYU Cougars
Biggest Need: Defensive Line
BYU is set to lose the majority of its contributors along the defensive line with Tyler Batty, Blake Mangelson, Isaiah Bagnah, and John Nelson all being seniors in 2024. The Cougars’ defensive front was the strength of their team this season, but will need to retool heading into 2025.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Biggest Need: Linebacker
With Jared Bartlett out of eligibility, Cincinnati could use a gamechanger at linebacker next season, which is why the Bearcats have sent out at least six offers to portal linebackers in the first two weeks. They haven’t landed one to this point, but it’s just a matter of time.
Colorado Buffaloes
Biggest Need: Wide Receiver
Colorado has its quarterback for 2025 with Kaidon Salter committing earlier this week, but the question is, who’s he going to throw to? Travis Hunter, Lajohntay Wester, Jimmy Horn, and Will Sheppard are all set to leave, and the Buffs also have three wideouts in the portal.
Houston Cougars
Biggest Need: Defensive Line
Houston’s defensive front was stout in 2024, but they’re losing several pieces of the puzzle this offseason and many of them have left via the transfer portal. With a name like Anthony Holmes Jr. leaving quicker than expected, the Cougars will need to backfill their front to replace both transfers and graduates.
Iowa State Cyclones
Biggest Need: Offensive Line
With Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins both graduating, the Cyclones went out and grabbed Chase Sowell and Xavier Townsend, giving them some explosive options for Rocco Becht. Now, they need to focus on getting him the best protection possible with a few pieces along their front set to graduate.
Kansas Jayhawks
Biggest Need: Wide Receiver
KU had three pretty clear needs coming into the portal cycle at wide receiver, cornerback, and offensive line. They’ve done a great job retooling the OL and CB room, and even though they’ve added a couple of wideouts already, they could probably use a difference-maker at the position with the veterans headed out.
Related: Big 12 Transfer Portal Winners and Losers After First Week of Winter Window
Kansas State Wildcats
Biggest Need: Linebacker
Terry Kirksey, Alec Marenco, and Kameron Sallis all hit the transfer portal and Austin Moore is set to move on to the next level. Add to that the fact that the Wildcats have had injury issues at that position in recent years, and it’s a glaring need for the defense heading into 2025.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Biggest Need: Quarterback
I looked like the Cowboys might have a shot at Chandler Morris, but eventually missed on him. Doug Meacham is going to need an experienced signal-caller if he hopes to have offensive success in his first year as the program’s play caller.
TCU Horned Frogs
Biggest Need: Defensive Line
The loss of Damonic Williams in last year’s spring portal window created a glaring void in TCU’s defense, and they suffered in 2024 as a result. The Frogs could really use another run-stopping defensive tackle in this portal cycle after starting things off with Ansel Din-Mbuh.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Biggest Need: Nothing (Honestly)
There hasn’t been a team in the country that’s attacked the transfer portal like Texas Tech has. They’ve addressed their biggest issues in a major way, securing difference-makers at several different positions, including running back, defensive tackle, offensive line, and defensive backs.
UCF Knights
Biggest Need: Quarterback
Jacurri Brown and Dylan Rizk have talent, but Scott Frost probably needs to go out and get an experienced playmaker to rally around. Rizk looked good in his first start of the year but got worse in every game after that. Quarterback is the most important position in football, and UCF needs a good one to compete in the Big 12.
Utah Utes
Biggest Need: Running Back
With Devon Dampier coming in and Issac Wilson now returning, Utah has the quarterback situation under control. However, running back is a different story. Micah Bernard and Charlie Vincent are both out of eligibility, and the three running backs behind them hit the portal. NMSU’s Michael Washington helps, but they’ll need one or two more guys.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Biggest Need: Linebacker
Could’ve gone quarterback here, but Nicco Marchiol should be serviceable, even if he’s not the best fit for a zone-read option offense. However, with Josiah Trotter and Trey Lathan both gone portaling, there’s an immediate need for experienced linebackers in Morgantown.
