Transfer Portal Impact: Grading the Big 12

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The addition of the transfer portal to college football has been one of the biggest developments in recent years, as players now have more information than ever when it comes to seeking a new school to attend. Instead of getting permission from their current schools in order to transfer, and in many cases being blocked from certain schools, players now have the ability to transfer to another school freely.

Pretty much every team in college football has been touched by the portal in one way or another, whether it’s players coming or going, and it’s only likely to continue once depth charts shake out after spring football.With that in mind, we went through every name that has been publicly tied to the portal (the actual portal database isn’t public).

This week, we are grading each Power Five conference based on the impact of the transfers gained or lost by each programs. Today, we examine the Big 12.

RELATED: Big Ten grades | SEC | ACC | Pac-12

MORE: Will transfer QBs make a big impact in 2019?

Additions: None

Subtractions: DB Harrison Hand (Temple), WR Tony Nicholson (New Mexico State)

Currently in the portal: OL Eleasah Anderson, LB BJ Thompson

Grade: INC -- The Bears have had a few defections but none that should significantly impact the roster next season. The Bears have benefited from transfers recently, so it will be worth watching to see if they add anyone between now and the fall.

Additions: QB John Kolar (Oklahoma State)

Subtractions: QB Devon Moore (South Dakota), QB Zeb Noland (North Dakota State)

Currently in the portal: OL Oge Udeogu, DE Angel Dominguez, DB Dallas Taylor-Cortez

Grade: C -- With a long-term solution in place at quarterback, the Cyclones had a pair of backups transfer out, but added Kolar as an insurance policy.

Additions: None

Subtractions: None

Currently in the portal: WR Kenyon Tabor

Grade: INC -- After doing a nice job of adding contributing transfers in recent years, the Jayhawks have sat out this transfer cycle so far. It's likely that the school might see some comings and goings following the conclusion of spring.

Additions: RB James Gilbert (Ball State)

Subtractions: QB Alex Delton (TCU), OL Bill Kuduk (Kent State)

Currently in the portal: DB EJ Thomas

Grade: B- -- The Wildcats have a big hole at running back and the thought is that Gilbert can step right into the lineup and have a big impact. Delton saw his share of time under center over the past few years, but with a new staff on campus it made sense for Delton to move on.

Additions: QB Jalen Hurts (Alabama), OL RJ Proctor (Virginia)

Subtractions: QB Austin Kendall (West Virginia), DE Addison Gumbs (Oregon State)

Currently in the portal: WR Jaylon Robinson, DT Ron Tatum, DL Derek Green

Entered the portal but returned to the team: WR AD Miller

Grade: A- -- The Sooners added one of the best available transfers in Hurts, an accomplished quarterback who will be in the Heisman race come fall. They also added Proctor to protect him and managed to keep Miller after it looked like he was heading to Illinois. The loss of Kendall is the only real ding on the Sooners resume, as he would have provided valuable depth behind Hurts and now he will be helping a conference foe at West Virginia.

Additions: None

Subtractions: QB John Kolar (Iowa State), RB JD King (Georgia Southern), WR Jalen McClesky (Tulane), OL Arlington Hambright (Colorado), DL Darrion Daniels (Nebraska), DB Thabo Mwaniki (Houston), DB Chance Cook (New Mexico State)

Currently in the portal: QB Keondre Wudtee, LB Patrick Macon, LB Za'Carrius Green

Grade: D -- The Cowboys have seen a lot of players head elsewhere, including McClesky, who left during the 2018 season to preserve another year of eligibility. Losing guys like Daniels and King, who have performed well at times during their careers, will hurt the Cowboys' depth in 2019. Losing so many players without a head coaching change isn't a great sign.

Additions: QB Alex Delton (Kansas State), DE Shameik Blackshear (South Carolina)

Subtractions: QB Shawn Robinson (Missouri)

Currently in the portal: K Andrew David

Grade: C+ -- The Horned Frogs lost their starting quarterback and replaced him with Delton, who has had his ups and downs during his Big 12 career. Blackshear is an intriguing add, as the one-time five-star is looking to salvage his career after getting buried on the depth chart at South Carolina.

Additions: OL Parker Braun

Subtractions: QB Shane Buchele (SMU), QB Cameron Rising (Utah), RB Toeneil Carter (Sam Houston State)

Currently in the portal: RB Kyle Porter, RB Tristan Houston, K Joshua Rowland, LS Michael Poujol

Entered the portal but returned to the team: QB Casey Thompson

Grade: C+ -- The Horns lost some depth at quarterback in the veteran Buchele and former four-star Rising. Getting Thompson to stay was key, but adding a veteran in Braun, who can step right into the lineup was one of the biggest additions in the conference.

Additions: None

Subtractions: None

Currently in the portal: QB Nick Gerber, OL Cody Wheeler

Grade: INC -- With a new coaching staff in place there is likely to still be several moves following the conclusion of spring practice, whether it be players coming or going.

Additions: QB Austin Kendall (Oklahoma)

Subtractions: OL Matt Jones (Youngstown State)

Currently in the portal: OL Dontae Angus, K Luke Hogan

Grade: B -- The Mountaineers have done a great job using transfers to fill the void at several positions in recent years, and Kendall is the latest to make his way to Morgantown. While he's somewhat unproven in terms of game action, Kendall was an elite recruit and he challenged Kyler Murray for the starting job with the Sooners last year. He should be able to step in and have a big impact in 2019.