best wishes
Big Ten Recruiting Class Rankings 7-3-11
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With more new Michigan commits, we're hitting the front page after a hiatus of a couple weeks. Action since last rankings:
6-24-11 Minnesota gains commitment from Eric Murray.
6-26-11 Notre Dame gains commitment from John Turner. Michigan State gains commitment from Nick Tompkins. Michigan gains commitment from Blake Bars.
6-27-11 Purdue gains commitment from Ryan Morris.
6-28-11 Indiana gains commitment from Adam Kranda.
6-29-11 Penn State gains commitment from Joey O'Connor. Purdue gains commitment from Austin Appleby. Minnesota gains commitment from Mitch Leidner.
7-1-11 Indiana gains commitment from Jacob Bailey. Purdue gains commitment from Steffon Martin.
| Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | # Commits | Rivals Avg | Scout Avg | ESPN Avg | 24/7 Avg |
| 1 | Michigan | 17 | 3.47 | 3.53 | 3.29 | 3.53 |
| 2 | Notre Dame | 11 | 3.27 | 3.45 | 3.27 | 3.27 |
| 3 | Penn State | 11 | 3.18 | 2.90 | 3.27 | 3.18 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 9 | 3.22 | 3.56 | 3.11 | 3.56 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 8 | 3.13 | 3.00 | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| 6 | Michigan State | 10 | 3.10 | 3.10 | 3.00 | 3.20 |
| 7 | Northwestern | 12 | 2.25 | 2.42 | 2.33 | 1.92 |
| 8 | Nebraska | 5 | 3.40 | 3.60 | 3.20 | 3.80 |
| 9 | Indiana | 11 | 2.09 | 2.45 | 2.45 | 2.18 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 10 | 1.80 | 1.90 | 2.11* | 1.70 |
| 11 | Illinois | 4 | 2.50 | 3.00 | 2.25 | 2.50 |
| 12 | Purdue | 7 | 2.43 | 1.86 | 2.29 | 1.86 |
| 13 | Iowa | 5 | 2.20 | 2.20 | 2.00 | 2.20 |
*ESPN doesn't rate JUCOs, so Isaac Fruechte is not included in Minnesota's average.
On to the full data, after the jump.
| #1 Michigan - 17 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Royce Jenkins-Stone | LB | MI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| James Ross | LB | MI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Joe Bolden | LB | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Terry Richardson | CB | MI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Erik Magnuson | OL | CA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Tom Strobel | DE | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Pharaoh Brown | DE | OH | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Blake Bars | OL | TN | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Devin Funchess | TE | MI | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Mario Ojemudia | DE | MI | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Kaleb Ringer | LB | OH | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Matt Godin | DE | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Ben Braden | OL | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Anthony Standifer | CB | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Caleb Stacey | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Allen Gant | S | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| AJ Williams | TE | OH | 3 | 3 | NR | 3 |
Michigan picks up Blake Bars. This Friday, they'll either add OH S Jarrod Wilson, or move KY S Jeremy Clark into the 2012 class.
| #2 Notre Dame - 11 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Ronald Darby | CB | MD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Tee Shepard | CB | CA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Deontay Greenberry | WR | CA | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Taylor Decker | OL | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| David Perkins | LB | IN | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Nick Baratti | S | TX | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Justin Ferguson | WR | FL | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Mark Harrell | OL | NC | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| CJ Prosise | S | VA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| John Turner | S | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Scott Daly | LS | IL | 2 | NR | NR | NR |
Still no change for Notre Dame.
| #3 Penn State - 11 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jarron Jones | DT | NY | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Camren Williams | LB | MA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| JJ Denman | OL | PA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Joey O'Connor | OL | CO | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Brent Wilkerson | DE | MD | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Jamil Pollard | DT | NJ | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Brian Gaia | OL | MD | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Anthony Stanko | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jesse James | TE | PA | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Derek Dowrey | DT | VA | NR | NR | 3 | NR |
| Austin Johnson | OL | NJ | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Joey O'Connor picks Penn State. Dowrey finally picks up a ranking from one of the services (ESPN). The top three teams in these rankings are vying for Jarrod Wilson on Friday.
| #4 Ohio State - 9 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Bri'onte Dunn | RB | OH | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Joshua Perry | LB | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Warren Ball | RB | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| De'Van Bogard | S | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Jacoby Boren | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Frank Epitropoulos | WR | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Blake Thomas | TE | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tyvis Powell | S | OH | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Najee Murray | CB | OH | NR | 3 | 3 | 3 |
No change for the Bucks.
| #5 Wisconsin - 8 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Dan Voltz | OL | IL | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Vince Biegel | LB | WI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Kyle Dodson | OL | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Vonte Jackson | RB | WI | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Bart Houston | QB | CA | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Hugs Etienne | CB | CA | 3 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Reggie Mitchell | CB | PA | 2 | NR | NR | NR |
| Arthur Goldberg | DT | PA | NR | NR | 2 | NR |
No change for Wisconsin. They're waiting on rankings for a couple of their guys.
| #6 Michigan State - 10 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Se'Von Pittman | DE | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Benny McGowan | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Tyler O'Connor | QB | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Riley Bullough | LB | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Zach Higgins | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jamal Lyles | LB | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Josiah Price | TE | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Nick Tompkins | RB | GA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Kyle Kerrick | WR | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Evan Jones | TE | OH | 3 | 3 | NR | 3 |
Kerrick gets three stars from ESPN, bumping the Spartans slightly. Nick Tompkins also picks MSU.
| #7 Northwestern - 12 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Adam DePietro | OL | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Dean Lowry | DE | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Kenton Playko | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jack Schwaba | TE | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Ian Park | OL | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | NR |
| Malin Jones | RB | IL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Eric Olson | OL | MA | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Connor Mahoney | OL | PA | 2 | 3 | 3 | NR |
| Dan Vitale | S | IL | NR | 2 | 2 | NR |
| Joseph Jones | S | PA | NR | 2 | NR | NR |
| Mike McHugh | WR | PA | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| Chris Fitzpatrick | OL | KY | NR | NR | NR | NR |
No change for Northwestern. In 4 years of these rankings, I've never seen a site be so inaccurate on a commitment list than 24/7's is for the Nittany Lions, for what it's worth.
| #8 Nebraska - 5 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Paul Thurston | OL | CO | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Greg McMullen | DE | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Michael Rose | LB | MO | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Jordan Westerkamp | WR | IL | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Sam Cotton | TE | NE | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Cotton now has rankings from all three services.
| #9 Indiana - 11 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Nick Mangieri | DE | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Dan Feeney | OL | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jordan Wallace | LB | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Kevin Davis | WR | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mike Cotton | LB | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | NR |
| Adam Kranda | TE | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tanner Kearns | TE | OH | NR | 3 | 2 | NR |
| Jacob Bailey | OL | IN | NR | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Alex Todd | OL | OH | NR | 2 | 2 | NR |
| Caleb Cornett | WR | IN | NR | NR | NR | 2 |
| Dawson Fletcher | S | OH | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Indiana slowly picking up commitments. IN QB Gunner Kiel could be the (surprising) headliner of the class down the road.
| #10 Minnesota - 10 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Andre McDonald | WR | MN | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Dinero Moss | S | FL | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Philip Nelson | QB | MN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Drew Davis | LB | NC | 2 | 2 | 3 | NR |
| Maxx Williams | TE | MN | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
| Josh Ballesteros | LB | FL | NR | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Scott Ekpe | DT | TX | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| Isaac Fruechte | WR | MN | NR | NR | JC | NR |
| Eric Murray | CB | WI | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| Mitch Leidner | QB | MN | NR | NR | NR | NR |
McDonald is still listed by the sites as a commit (albeit soft), so I've re-added him to the list. Gophers also pick up a couple prospects. Nick Rallis isn't included on Rivals's list yet, but I believe he's a future Gopher.
| #11 Illinois - 4 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Tajarvis Fuller | LB | FL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Elliot Faerber | WR | KS | 3 | 3 | 2 | NR |
| Cody Quinn | CB | OH | 3 | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Jason Robertson | WR | IL | NR | 3 | 3 | 3 |
No change for Illinois.
| #12 Purdue - 7 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jordan Shine | S | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Ryan Morris | TE | NJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Austin Appleby | QB | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| BJ Knauf | WR | FL | 3 | NR | 2 | NR |
| Paul Griggs | K | NC | 2 | NR | 3 | NR |
| Thomas Meadows | K | VA | 2 | NR | NR | NR |
| Steffon Martin | LB | AZ | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Purdue has by far the most national recruiting effort in the league (sorry, Mark Dantonio), with seven commitments from seven different states.
| #13 Iowa - 5 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Cameron Wilson | WR | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Maurice Fleming | CB | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mitch Keppy | OL | IL | 3 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Drew Ott | DE | NE | NR | 2 | NR | 3 |
| Connor Kornbrath | K | WV | NR | NR | 2 | NR |
Iowa is lagging behind in quality and number of commits. I'm sure Hawkeye partisans trust their staff's evaluating skills.
July 3rd, 2011 at 1:33 PM | 
Is the Nittany Lions under
Is the Nittany Lions under
July 3rd, 2011 at 1:35 PM |
And
And
And we're near or at the top of the list for a bunch of top prospects still. Hoke is capitalizing on the opportunity in front of him.
July 3rd, 2011 at 1:37 PM |
Slight Discrepancy . . .
Slight Discrepancy . . .
Is 24/7 inaccurate in their listing of the Nittany Lions, or of the Wildcats?
Edit: Ditto what Rockediny said
July 3rd, 2011 at 1:50 PM |
Like Cartman needs KFC, I
Like Cartman needs KFC, I
Like Cartman needs KFC, I need recruits to commit to Michigan for sustenance.
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:03 PM |
Sparty
Sparty
Is looks like Sparty is quietly putting together a pretty good class. How is MSU ranked behind Wisconsin when their average is higher for three of the four recruiting sites (and they have more recruits in the class)?
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:13 PM |
That's a good question, I
That's a good question, I
That's a good question, I thought the same thing.
I've decided to lay off the food for a while, and go on the booze.
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:29 PM |
Agreed but . . .
Agreed but . . .
I wonder how the fact that Hoke has pretty much scrubbed Michigan clean will affect them down the road.
Pete
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:30 PM |
Count the fours
Count the fours
Not saying you're wrong, but to play devil's advocate, count the total number of fours: Wisconsin has 17 and MSU has 6. Wisconsin has 5 commits that are consensus 4 stars and MSU only has 1.
So Wisconsin gets a bump because they have 5 players considered top-end talent and 3 currently-unranked guys bring down their average. Meanwhile, MSU has one top-end player and 9 good (but not great) commits. Again, not saying you're wrong but I think the answer lies in whether you prefer a few really good players or a few more good players.
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:39 PM |
Once all of Wisconsin's
Once all of Wisconsin's
Once all of Wisconsin's prospects are ranked they'll have higher averages than MSU. That, and Wisky's class is better on the top.
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:05 PM |
so everyone except Minny
so everyone except Minny
already has someone committed from Ohio. And OSU is the only school that has not picked up an out of state commit yet (and has been losing the ones they've had). Wonder if there's some reason for all these Ohio folks going elsewhere?
/s
I know the state is a decent state in normal years for recruits going to non-OSU schools, but I would assume this year is different, both quantitatively and qualitatively; has anyone analyzed this?
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:08 PM |
Iowa
Iowa
Is really slacking on the recruiting trail.I wonder why? They had a pretty good season last year.
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:13 PM |
I'm sure that...
I'm sure that...
...this has had a severe negative impact on Iowa's ability to competitively recruit.
LSA '89 - MBB Natl Champions, Big 10/Rose Bowl Champions | Maize Pages Wolverines on Twitter | @MGoShoe
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:19 PM |
Wow
Wow
Didn't know about that.Thanks for the link.
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:13 PM |
Incredible to see this in
Incredible to see this in
Incredible to see this in light of recent seasons.
“I’m a big Fear Factor Fan. I'm a big fan of anything Joe Rogan does actually."
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:44 PM |
Please tell
Please tell
Please tell me Wisconsin commit Hugs Etienne is not a misprint. Awesome name.
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:47 PM |
Little Brother is recruiting nationally
Little Brother is recruiting nationally
July 3rd, 2011 at 2:56 PM |
Thanks a ton for making me
Thanks a ton for making me
Thanks a ton for making me spend 5 minutes explaining this picture to my wife after she demanded to know why I was laughing hysterically.
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:12 PM |
Looking good. Hopefully Penn
Looking good. Hopefully Penn
Looking good. Hopefully Penn state doesn't land anymore 5 stars ( Spence). They could end up with a top 5 class before it's all done.
"im saying to myself should i do it should i not. I crossed the goaline and hey...fuck it" Desmond Howard on his Heisman pose
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:38 PM |
Jarron Jones
Jarron Jones
Will most likely leave to go to Syracuse and if that happens that should keep them out of top 5.If they land spence than they could definitely make top 10.
July 3rd, 2011 at 6:12 PM |
Syracuse? Where are you
Syracuse? Where are you
Syracuse? Where are you pulling that out of?
Current Smug rating: "lethal"
July 3rd, 2011 at 6:28 PM |
I'm on mobile
I'm on mobile
So can't post link.Type in jarron jones syracuse, then go to the website called orangefizz.He says he"loves"syracuse and is comfortable with the whole coaching staff.
July 3rd, 2011 at 9:22 PM |
It will take more than one
It will take more than one
It will take more than one visit for any school to pull him away from PSU, and he tends to love all his visits. That said if he goes somewhere other than PSU I really doubt it will be Syracuse.
Current Smug rating: "lethal"
July 3rd, 2011 at 9:25 PM |
Never know
Never know
Its between Notre Dame, Penn State, Rutgers and Syracuse as of right now.A lot of people seem to think he will leave for syracuse.Only time will tell.
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:13 PM |
Was I the only one shocked to
Was I the only one shocked to
Was I the only one shocked to see us leading the averages (for the first time this year, I think)? I guess it makes sense, and will probably continue. As more classes fill up, the amount of 4 and 5 stars decreases. A school like OSU that will fill up their class late will probably have to settle for a lot more 3 stars than us.
COYS and lets go Detroit FC!
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:24 PM |
Click on the blue
Click on the blue
"last rankings" and you will see that UM has been number 1 on this for a while, more than a month at least.
Keep in mind we are still closer to 2011's signing day than 2012's, lots of time left during which games are actually played, osu ncaa situation becomes less murky, kids play senior year of hs ball, injuries, redshirts and early departures happen,
Auwê ka hua`i lâ
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:22 PM |
Pittman & McGowan
Pittman & McGowan
I would not be surprised to see OSU flip Pittman and McGowan before this is over.
"I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove anything." B. Simpson
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:27 PM |
Curious
Curious
Why? Seems like those two are not out of msu's league talent wise anymore.
Auwê ka hua`i lâ
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:58 PM |
Sarcasm?
Sarcasm?
Not sure if you are being serious or sarcastic. My understanding is OSU was slow playing Pittman because he is borderline academically and they did not offer McGowan early because they had Kalis and expected to land a couple of elite level out-of-state OL. OSU now appears to have lost Kalis and, with sanctions looming, the out-of-state prospects are looking far less likely so I think OSU eventually circles back and offers McGowan. Likewise, if Pittman qualifies, OSU is going to want/need him and will make another run at him. Even with sanctions, OSU is in another league than MSU and I think OSU ultimately wins that battle for two kids from Ohio who grew up Buckeye fans.
"I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove anything." B. Simpson
July 3rd, 2011 at 4:50 PM |
EDIT
EDIT
Move along, nothing to see here.
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football." - John Heisman
July 3rd, 2011 at 7:34 PM |
It's nice to see straight
It's nice to see straight
It's nice to see straight fours for the top five Michigan players.
Is the Nittany Lions under Northwestern a mistake or are you saying something I'm not understanding?
"There will be blood on the field and it won't be mine." -KK