The transfer portal have giveth and taketh away from Western Kentucky so far this offseason. The Hilltoppers have landed some major transfer additions to the roster throughout the December/January transfer window.

InsideHilltopperSports.com details Western Kentucky's latest transfer additions, breaking down what led to their decision, and will continue to add updates throughout the spring and summer.

Weber State transfer quarterback Bronson Barron announced his commitment to Western Kentucky following a historic performance from Austin Reed that lifted the Hilltoppers over South Alabama 44-23 in the 2022 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback transfer out of American Fork, UT. said the Hilltoppers got involved with his recruitment process a few hours after he entered his name into the transfer portal.

Barron said he connected with WKU head coach Tyson Helton and former assistant coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle and loved their offensive mindset and how they tailor things to the athetes on the field.

Before entering the transfer portal, Barron spent three seasons under center for Weber State's offense. Over his career as a Wildcat, Barron recorded 407 completions out of 689 attempts for 5,129 yards and 36 touchdowns.

UT Martin transfer defensive lineman Nonte Davis announced his commitment to Western Kentucky this past December, revealing his decision after stopping by campus for a visit.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pound transfer addition out of Columbia, TN. said the Hilltoppers were significant to his recruitment as he connected with the assistant coaches and defensive coaches. He also met with defensive tackles Dareon Goodrum and Brodric Martin.

Davis said what led to his commitment was being able to see Western Kentucky in person, adding that he wants to be a part of what Coach Helton is building.

Illinois transfer wide receiver Daniel Edwards, a former three-star defensive talent, also announced his commitment to Western Kentucky recently, revealing he was officially a Hilltopper on Jan. 2.

The 6-foot-0, 165-pound transfer addition out of Winter Park, FL. said the Hilltoppers were involved with his recruitment since the first day he entered the transfer portal. Edwards said he connected with WKU assistant coach and secondaries coach Keynodo Hudson.

During his visit to Western Kentucky, Edwards said he loved the facilities and campus, adding that he connected with linebacker Derrick Smith.

Edwards announced his commitment to Illinois on May 21, 2020 and was redshirted by the Fighting Illini in his first season in 2021. Edwards didn't play in the 2022 season.

Western Kentucky also landed a commitment from Alcorn State transfer offensive lineman Mike Moment who announced he was officially a Hilltopper earlier this month.

The 6-foot-3, 315-pound offensive lineman out of Tampa, FL. was announced as an addition to the roster by Western Kentucky over social media on Jan. 19.

Moment didn't play in his first season with the Braves in 2020 due to the pandemic. Moment played in one contest in the 2021 season and was active for 11 games this past season.

Prior to his commitment to Alcorn State, Moment played for Tampa Tech as a two-year starter, earning All-Western Conference First-Team and All-Star player honors.

Bethune-Cookman transfer defensive lineman Jayden Loving was another intriguing transfer addition to choose Western Kentucky, revealing his decision to dawn the Hilltopper uniform this past December.

The 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive lineman out of Montgomery, AL. said the Hilltoppers have been a player in his recruitment since the very start. He stopped by WKU for a visit from Dec. 9-11 and said his favorite part of the visit was being treated like family.

Loving said he connected with WKU assistant coach and defensive line coach Kenny Baker, assistant coach and secondaries coach Keynodo Hudson and director of scouting Zach Kramme.

Loving has played a big role defensively for Bethune-Cookman in one season, recording 31 tackles with 11 solo stops and 20 assisted takedowns. Loving additionally defended one pass and collected four sacks.

Buffalo transfer tight end Trevor Borland, a former two-star recruiting target, also committed to Western Kentucky recently, revealing his decision to join the Hilltoppers on Dec. 16.

The 6-foot-3, 237-pound tight end out of Bolingbrook, IL. said the Hilltoppers became involved with his recruitment process within the first two days he was in the transfer portal.

Borland said he stopped by campus for a visit Dec. 11-13 and had connected with everyone on the staff at one point or another. He added that he specifically liked the offensive staff and is ready to compete.

Borland has played for Buffalo the past two seasons, contributing on the offensive end in both the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. As a Bull, Borland hauled in 18 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown.

Nebraska transfer defensive tackle Marquis Black, a former three-star prospect regarded as one of the top 50 defensive lineman in the country, also revealed his commitment to Western Kentucky earlier this month.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound transfer out of McDonough, GA. said he began communicating with the Hilltoppers following their victory in the New Orleans Bowl, connecting with assistant coach and defensive line coach Kenny Baker. Black visited campus on Jan. 5.

Black committed to Nebraska on Oct. 12, 2019 and has been on the Cornhuskers' roster since the 2020 season. During his three-year stint in the Big Ten, Black played in two games, contributing in wins over Fordham and Buffalo in the 2021 season.

Tennessee transfer wide receiver Jimmy Holiday, another former three-star prospect out of the Power Five, additionally announced his commitment to Western Kentucky this month, revealing his decision on Sunday, Jan. 8.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound wide receiver out of Flora, MS. said the Hilltoppers have been involved in his recruitment since he entered the transfer portal. Holiday said he connected with WKU head coach Tyson Helton and several other coaches.

Holiday committed to Tennessee on Dec. 18, 2019 and contributed on the offensive end in the last two seasons on the Volunteers' receiving core in the last two seasons.

During his three-year career with the Volunteers, Holiday has collected seven receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown.

Auburn transfer wide receiver Ze'Vian Capers, a former four-star talent, was the second transfer out of the SEC to announce his commitment to Western Kentucky this month, revealing his choice on Jan. 7.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound wide receiver out of Alpharetta, GA. said the Hilltoppers were involved in his recruitment since he entered the transfer portal this past November.

Capers said he connected with quality control coaches Zak Mizell and Colt Garrett, director of scouting Zach Kramme and former WKU wide receiver Matthew Smith.

Capers announced his commitment to Auburn on July 1, 2019 and has contributed in all three seasons. During his SEC career, Capers recorded 14 receptions totalling 147 yards and one touchdown.

Cincinnati transfer wide receiver Blue Smith, a four-star talent that also spent time on the roster of Ohio State, announced his commitment to Western Kentucky on Wednesday, Jan. 11.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound transfer out of Huber Heights, OH. said the Hilltoppers were involved in his recruitment process since he entered the transfer portal. Smith said he connected with quality control coach Zak Mizell and former receiver Matthew Smith.

Smith revealed his commitment to Ohio State on Aug. 27, 2017 and was redshirted by the Buckeyes in the 2018 season. During his career at Cincinnati, Smith hauled in seven receptions for 81 yards.

Missouri transfer running back Elijah Young, a former three-star prospect and 5A Mr. Tennessee Football, is one of the latest transfer addition to commit to Western Kentucky, revealing his decision to join the Tops' on Jan. 21.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back out of Knoxville, TN. will be bringing three years of SEC experience to The Hill, contributing to the Tigers' offense from 2020 to 2022.

Over the course of his career with Missouri, Young played in 27 contests, recording 333 yards on the ground, and a touchdown.

The former Mr. Tennessee Football and Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year played for South Doyle High School, recording 2,481 yards and 43 touchdowns in his senior season.

Texas A&M transfer defensive lineman Dallas Walker IV, a former four-star prospect, also committed to Western Kentucky as he was announced to the 2023 roster on Jan. 23.

The 6-foot-4, 325-pound defensive tackle out of Smyrna, TN. was additionally 12th in the state and 35th in his position coming out of high school.

Walker committed to Texas A&M on June 25, 2019 and was redshirted by the Aggies in his first collegiate season in 2020. Walker contributed to Texas A&M's defense in the 2021 season, collecting three tackles and one defended pass. Walker also played in wins over Kent State and Prairie View. Walker didn't see the field in 2022.

Prior to his stint at Texas A&M, Walker played for Smyrna High School, recording 12 receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns, and 30 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Shepherd University (DII) transfer linebacker Devon Lynch announced his commitment to Western Kentucky this past weekend, revealing he was joining the Hilltoppers on Jan. 22.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker out of Springfield, VA. said the Hilltoppers have been involved in his recruitment for the past two weeks. Lynch was recently on campus for a visit with Western Kentucky this past weekend.

Lynch said he connected with WKU assistant coach and inside linebackers coach Travis Cunningham, and liked how he was a top priority to Coach Cunningham.

This past season, Lynch collected 81 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and three interceptions. Lynch additionally picked up 11 tackles on two different occasions, reaching his season high in games against California (Pa.) and Indiana (Pa.).

Saint Francis (Pa.) transfer linebacker Sebastian Benjamin, a talented defensive addition, announced his commitment to Western Kentucky on Jan. 17 after visiting in December. He made his future as a Hilltopper official when he signed with the program on Feb. 1.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound linebacker out of Philadelphia, PA. has been playing for the Red Flash since the 2021 season, collecting 35 tackles with 18 solo and 17 assisted takedowns. He also had one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Benjaming was also explosive this past season. In 12 games, Benjamin recorded 34 tackles with 20 solo stops and 14 assisted takedowns. He also collected six quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.

Western Kentucky added some firepower to it's special teams department on February's signing day, landing Rutgers transfer kicker Antonio Chadha, who signed with the Hilltoppers on Feb. 1.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound kicker out of Bryn Mawr, PA. is coming off his first collegiate season at Rutgers, but did not see the field during his freshman stint.

Prior to his commitment to the Scarlet Knights, Chadha competed for St. Joseph's and accounted for field goals, extra points, punts and kickoffs. As a senior, Chadha went 11-for-15 on field goals.

Florida Atlantic transfer quarterback Willie Taggart Jr., a former three-star recruit, will be rocking with the Hilltoppers next season, inking his commitment to the Hilltoppers during signing day on Feb. 1.

The 6-foot-1, 177-pound quarterback out of Tallahassee, FL. kickstarted his career with Florida Atlantic, competing for the Owls for the last three seasons. Taggart has recorded two career completions out of seven attempts for 14 yards.

Prior to his collegiate career, Taggart played under center for University School where he led the Seminoles to a 12-2 overall record and an appearance in the Class 3A Title Game. Taggart additionally threw for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns in his senior season.

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