The Big Ten was called the best conference by many in the regular season, but faltered in Bowl Season. They will look to pick back up their winning ways on signing day. Big Ten Signing Day should be eventful. This page will be updated as the day goes on. Here is how the Big Ten looks:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Signees: 21, 5*: 2, 4*: 17, 3*: 2, Other: 0
The Buckeyes had a good secondary last season, but some players have left for the NFL. They have two of the best secondary players in the country coming in as five-stars, with Shaun Wade and Jeffrey Okudah. Their class is loaded with players that are top ten in their positions. The class can get even better as the day goes on, but is already elite.
Top Prospects Signed: CB Shaun Wade (5*), S Jeffrey Okudah (5*)
2. Michigan Wolverines
Commitments: 27, 5*: 0, 4*: 25, 3*: 2, Other: 0
Jim Harbaugh has totally revamped Michigan recruiting in his time in Ann Arbor. They don’t have a lot of play-makers that they desperately need, but they did sign a good receiver in Donovan Peoples-Jones. Quarterback Dylan McCaffrey should ring a bell for college football fans, as he is the brother of Christian, but is a good player himself. Michigan has a chance to move up if they can get some key signees today.
Top Prospects Signed: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (4*), C Cesar Ruiz (4*)
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
Commitments: 19, 5*: 0, 4*: 9, 3*: 10, Other: 0
Penn State has followed up their Rose Bowl season with a good recruiting class. The class is balanced overall, but quarterback Sean Clifford is the best player in the class. He was the most accurate quarterback at the elite 11 camp last summer. Fellow four-star C.J. Thorpe will likely get a chance to play early, as Penn State’s offensive line was banged up a lot this season and isn’t the greatest anyways.
Top Prospects Signed:Â QB Sean Clifford (4*), OG C.J. Thorpe (4*)
4. Maryland Terrapins
Commitments: 22, 5*: 0, 4*: 7, 3*: 14, Other: 1
D.J. Durkin has put together a great class for Maryland to build on. His approach of targeting New Jersey and the D.C. area has worked. Markquese Bell is an athlete who will likely make an impact early in his career. Running back Anthony McFarland should also be a play-maker for the Terrapins in due time as well. Maryland should take a few steps forward in coming years.
Top Prospects Signed: ATH Markquese Bell (4*), RB Anthony McFarland (4*)
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Commitments: 16, 5*: 0, 4*: 7, 3*: 9, Other: 0
The Cornhuskers have a lot of good offensive prospects coming in this season. Two four-star wide receiver prospects, Tyjon Lindsey and Keyshawn Johnson Jr., and a four-star quarterback, Tristan Gebbia, are the best players for Nebraska so far. Johnson is son of former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson. Nebraska is building off of a good season in 2016.
Top Prospects Signed: WR Tyon Lindsey (4*), QB Tristan Gebbia (4*)
6. Iowa Hawkeyes
Commitments: 17, 5*: 0, 4*: 2, 3*: 15, Other: 0
Iowa has a great player in this class in A.J. Epenesa at the defensive end position. He can compete for a starting job immediately. Tristan Wirfs is also going to Iowa as a very good offensive tackle prospect. Iowa should be good in the trenches again for years to come.
Top Prospects Signed: DE A.J. Epenesa (4*), OT Mark Kallenberger (4*)
7. Michigan State Spartans
Commitments: 20, 5*:0, 4*: 5, 3*: 15, Other: 0
Wide receiver Hunter Rison is already enrolled in school and gives Michigan State a much needed play-maker although they do have some promising ones currently on the roster. Also committed to the Spartans is a good tight end prospect in Matt Dotson. Michigan State has a well-balanced class that should help them get back to the top of the Big Ten.
Top Prospects Signed:Â OG Kevin Jarvis (4*), LB Antjuan Simmons (4*)
8. Illinois Illini
Commitments: 23, 5*: 0, 4: 2, 3*: 18, Other: 3
Lovie Smith is doing a good job recruiting to build Illinois back up. They focused a lot on signing wide receivers and defense. Ricky Smalling is a good pass-catcher, but they have several other wide receiver commits if he doesn’t pan out. Kendrick Green is gonna help on the trenches of the defensive line at tackle.
Top Prospects Signed: WR Ricky Smalling (4*), OT Larry Boyd (4*)
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Signees: 23, 5*: 0, 4*: 3, 3*: 20, Other: 0
Rutgers might be in the bottom of the Big Ten standings a lot, but their recruiting is getting better. Micah Clark will be a good tackle, with the chance to earn early playing time. Bo Melton should be a good play-maker for the Scarlet Knights at wide receiver, who also could see the field early.
Top Prospects Signed: OT Micah Clark (4*), LB Tyshon Fogg (4*)
10. Wisconsin Badgers
Commitments: 18, 5*: 0, 4*: 4, 3*: 12, Other: 2
It’s not usual to see the Badgers this low in the rankings, but they do have some solid players to look out for. Offensive line is always important to Wisconsin and they have guard Kayden Lyles looking to be the next great lineman for them. Andrew Van Ginkel should help the pass rush as a defensive end down the road.
Top Prospects Signed: OG Kayden Lyles (4*), OT Taylor Breach (4*)
11. Northwestern Wildcats
Commitments: 20, 5*:0, 4*:2, 3*: 17, Other: 1
Northwestern has been a solid program in the Big Ten for the past couple of seasons under Pat Fitzgerald, but they don’t have the greatest recruiting class yet. Earnest Brown and Trevor Kent are a pair of defensive end prospects that should bolster depth on the defensive line immediately.
Top Prospects Signed: DE Earnest Brown (4*), S Austin Hiller (4*)
12. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Commitments: 25, 5*: 0, 4*: 0, 3*: 18, Other: 7
P.J. Fleck has his work cut out for him at Minnesota. They don’t have a lot to work with in this class, but can still add to it. Quarterback Tanner Morgan is the prized recruit at the moment and will love to work with Fleck. Tight end Jacob Paulson will be a nice target for Morgan down the road.
Top Prospects Signed: QB Neil McLaurin (3*), WR Chris Autman-Bell (3*)
13. Indiana Hoosiers
Commitments: 23, 5*: 0, 4*:1, 3*: 20, Other: 2
Indiana, like Minnesota, has a lot of turmoil in the program with Kevin Wilson being fired abruptly. They did not put together a great recruiting class. Despite the turmoil they have a balanced class of offensive and defensive prospects. Defensive tackle Juan Harris is already enrolled, which should help him see the field early. Linebacker Thomas Allen should help boost an unimpressive defense.
Top Prospects Signed: ATH Juwan Burgess (4*), S Bryant Fitzgerald (3*)
14. Purdue Boilermakers
Commitments: 21, 5*: 0, 4*:0, 3*: 19, Other: 2
Purdue doesn’t seem like they will be able to turn things around any time soon. Corner back T.J. Jallow was a huge win for Purdue and he may just be seen on Last Chance U season 2. They hit the JuCo trail hard and also got offensive tackle Ethan Smart, who also played JuCo ball in Mississippi.
Top Prospects Signed: CB T.J. Jallow (3*), ATH Tyler Hamilton (3*)
ACC Signing Day- Here
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SEC Signing Day- Here