Four non-Division I transfers to keep an eye on in the Horizon League

Stewart Erhart dribbles up the court. Photo courtesy of Fort Lewis College.

Of the 15 players who made the Horizon League’s All-League teams in 2025-26, just one player – C.J. O’Hara – is set to return to the league, and even he entered the transfer portal, but ended up at Wright State. Players transferring up after productive mid-major seasons is the new norm, and this offseason was no different in the Horizon League.

There’s a handful of incoming transfers from the high-major ranks who didn’t receive an opportunity to play, and plenty of players from mid-major leagues of similar status looking for a bigger opportunity joining the league this season. Each year, the league also sees new faces from Non-Division-I schools make the jump and be key contributors. The list of Non-Division-I transfers in the Horizon League is too lengthy to limit to one article, so here are just a few of the guys who are finding a new home that are worth watching this season.

Jordan Briggs – Detroit Mercy

2025-26 stats at Wayne State (D2): 17 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.1 SPG

He wrapped up his final season at Wayne State, earning First Team All-GLIAC honors, with numbers that, in comparison, were similar to those of Orlando Lovejoy’s in 2025-26. When Lovejoy transferred from Eastern Michigan to Detroit Mercy in 2024-25, he took a major leap. Montgomery leaned heavily on the veteran point guard a year ago, and will need someone to take over as the alpha for the 2026-27 group.

Lance Stone and Tyler Spratt each had their moments last season and should show more growth this season, but it will be valuable for Montgomery to have a guy with three seasons of college basketball under his belt. Sure, the numbers may take a dip, but given the success of Lovejoy, who had a similar skillset, and the Titans’ need for production in the backcourt, Briggs is a guy who could play a major role in his first Division-I season.

Stewart Erhart – Green Bay

2025-26 stats at Fort Lewis (D2): 17.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 3.7 SPG

Like Montgomery, Doug Gottlieb is also looking to fill the void left by his graduating point guard, Preston Reudinger. Erhart is not going to replace the leadership of Reudinger, who saw the program through the lowest of lows, but he does have a skillset that could provide an answer for Gottlieb at the point guard spot. Most notably, Erhart led the nation in steals per game across all divisions with 3.7 thefts per game. He has major upside as a guy who could wreak havoc on the perimeter for the Phoenix and generate extra possessions.