For the first time in years, the B1G (Big Ten Conference) is in the thick of recruiting. Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State have all made huge pushes to gain the top recruits, and it’s paid off.
As of 10:20 EST this morning, the B1G owns five teams inside the top-25 in the team composite rankings according to 247Sports. The B1G owns the number one ranked team (Ohio State) and Michigan inside the top ten at number seven.
Here’s a breakdown on the top teams in the B1G as of right now. Stay tuned for more updates as new recruits pledge their commitments.
1- Ohio State 5* – 1, 4*- 17, 3* – 6 Total- 24
THE Ohio State University Buckeyes have had yet another historic recruiting run. With a huge amount of former Buckeyes playing in the Super Bowl, the Buckeyes have been able to add another weapon to their arsenal.
The top-ranked recruit for Ohio State is DE Nick Bosa. Bosa is the brother of NFL bound and former Buckeye Joey. Bosa is a five-star commit from Florida, and can rush the quarterback better than most coming into the 2016 class. Jonathan Cooper, a very highly regarded four-star, looks to compliment Bosa.
Ohio State’s wide receiver class is stacked. Austin Mack, a four-star from Fort Wayne, Indiana, earned very high praise from scouts at his Army All-American game practices from a few weeks ago. Mack is an early enrollee and is on campus right now. Binjimen Victor will add to the depth of the wide receiver class, as he committed to Ohio State in late December. The four-star is not quite as much as a hot prospect as Mack, but the one-two punch should do big things for OSU in the coming years.
Ohio State’s other top recruits are four-star quarterback Dwayne Haskins (formally a Maryland commit), linebacker KeAndre Jones (four-star commit and also a flip from Maryland), and running backs Demario McCall and Antonio Williams.
Ohio State has gained four-star JUCO offensive tackle Malcolm Pridegon today. Pridegon is the fourth best recruit of all JUCO prospects. The Buckeyes look to gain Malik Harrison and Jamar King to close out National Signing Day.
2- Michigan 5* – 0, 4* – 13, 3* – 13 Total- 26
Jim Harbaugh’s odd recruiting tactics are somehow working for the time being, and it’s gotten his team to a top ten finish for 2016. Harbaugh owns no five-stars, but that could change by day’s end.
The number one recruit in the entire 2016 class, Rashan Gary, seems to be heading to UM this fall. Gary will announce on ESPN at 1 p.m. EST. He’ll choose between UM, Alabama, and Clemson. The defensive tackle’s crystal ball predictions pit him with Michigan when he decides.
The number six quarterback in the nation is an early enrollee at Michigan. Brandon Peters, a four-star from Avon, Indiana, looks to get a head start for next season in hopes of leading the Michigan offense.
UM’s top running back commit, four-star Kareem Walker, flipped from Ohio State to Michigan in the fall. Walker’s rankings have dropped severely in recent months, and it looks like Ohio State may be better off without him. Still, Walker should help Michigan’s backfield in time.
For Michigan, it all comes down to Rashan Gary. If they can land the New Jersey native, they should find themselves in the top five rankings nationally. We’ll just have to hope Harbaugh doesn’t pull a #scholarship from another UM recruit.
3- Michigan State 5* – 1, 4* – 10, 3* – 10 Total- 20
Sparty’s 2016 class hasn’t been too bad. They’re don’t have any five-stars, but they have several high caliber four-stars.
Michigan State’s highest rated commit is Josh King. The defensive end is a monster in his body aspect, but he lacks ability in his hand quickness and point of attack, according to 247Sports rankings.
Michigan State’s wide receivers give OSU a run for their money. Donnie Corley, a four-star from Michigan, and Cameron Chambers, a four-star from New Jersey, add talent to the Spartan squad. Corley nearly committed to Ohio State, but the already crowded class probably pushed him away.
4- Penn State 5* – 1, 4* – 7, 3* – 11 Total- 20
Penn State is finally recovering from their #harsh punishments from violations years ago, and it’s showing in their recruiting rankings.
Penn State’s lone five-star is running back Miles Sanders. Sanders is the 20th ranked recruit in the nation, and looks to compliment young phenom Saquon Barkley next year.
The Nittany Lions are looking for a few more commits, but there are no big time prospects that will sign with Penn State it seems as of now.
5- Wisconsin 5* – 0, 4* – 3, 3* – 22
6- Nebraska 5* – 0, 4* – 5, 3* – 16
7- Maryland 5* – 0, 4* – 3, 3* – 14
8- Iowa 5* – 0, 4* – 0, 3* – 25
9- Minnesota 5*- 0, 4* -1 , 3* – 19
10- Northwestern 5*- 0, 4* – 0, 3* – 20
11- Indiana 5*- 0, 4* – 0, 3* – 18
12- Illinois 5*- 0, 4* – 0, 3* – 18
13- Rutgers 5*- 0, 4* – 0, 3* – 13
14- Purdue 5*- 0, 4* – 0, 3* – 13
Updated: 2/3/16 at 1:32 p.m. EST
Rashan Gary announced his commitment to Michigan on ESPN this afternoon. The number one player in the nation is a huge find for UM.
