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Big Ten Recruiting Class Rankings 8-14-11
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Another big commit for Michigan, and we're back on the front page. A couple services should be revamping their rankings in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for that as well. Action since last rankings:
8-7-1 Illinois gains commitment from Taylor Barton.
8-8-11 Michigan gains commitment from Ondre Pipkins. Indiana gains commitment from Shawn Heffern. Michigan State gains commitment from Kodi Kieler.
8-9-11 Indiana gains commitment from Sebastian Smith. Ohio State gains commitment from Roger Lewis. Minnesota "gains" commitment from Nick Rallis.
8-10-11 Nebraska gains commitment from Deion Jones. Penn State gains commitments from Eugene Lewis and Tommy Schutt.
8-12-11 Penn State gains commitment from Armani Reeves. Wisconsin gains commitment from Walker Williams.
Chart? Chart:
| Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | # Commits | Rivals Avg | Scout Avg | ESPN Avg | 24/7 Avg |
| 1 | Michigan | 22 | 3.45 | 3.64 | 3.41 | 3.50 |
| 2 | Notre Dame | 13 | 3.31 | 3.77 | 3.46 | 3.46 |
| 3 | Penn State | 16 | 3.19 | 3.38 | 3.31 | 3.00 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 12 | 3.25 | 3.42 | 3.17 | 3.33 |
| 5 | Michigan State | 14 | 3.00 | 3.14 | 2.93 | 3.00 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 9 | 3.11 | 3.33 | 3.11 | 2.89 |
| 7 | Indiana | 17 | 2.24 | 2.76 | 2.63 | 2.71 |
| 8 | Northwestern | 13 | 2.62 | 2.69 | 2.38 | 1.92 |
| 9 | Minnesota | 18 | 2.22 | 2.38 | 2.12* | 1.88 |
| 10 | Nebraska | 6 | 3.17 | 3.33 | 3.00 | 3.33 |
| 11 | Iowa | 9 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 2.89 |
| 12 | Purdue | 11 | 2.45 | 2.27 | 2.40 | 2.00 |
| 13 | Illinois | 8 | 2.13 | 2.63 | 2.50 | 2.00 |
*ESPN doesn't rate JUCOs, so Isaac Fruechte is not included in Minnesota's average, Darius Stroud doesn't count against Indiana's average, and Steffon Martin is excluded from Purdue's.
On to the full data, after the jump.
| #1 Michigan - 22 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Kyle Kalis | OL | OH | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 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 |
| Jarrod Wilson | S | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Tom Strobel | DE | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Ondre Pipkins | DT | MO | 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 |
| Chris Wormley | DE | OH | 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 | 3 | 3 |
| Sione Houma | FB | UT | 2 | 3 | 2 | NR |
Wolverines solidify their spot at the top by picking up MO DT Ondre Pipkins. Sione Houma picks up two stars from Rivals.
| #2 Notre Dame - 13 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Ronald Darby | CB | MD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Tee Shepard | CB | CA | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Sheldon Day | DT | IN | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Deontay Greenberry | WR | CA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 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 |
| CJ Prosise | S | VA | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Justin Ferguson | WR | FL | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Mark Harrell | OL | NC | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Romeo Okwara | DE | NC | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| John Turner | S | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Scott Daly | LS | IL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
No change for the Irish. Penn State is suddenly hot on their heels though.
| #3 Penn State - 16 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Tommy Schutt | DT | IL | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Camren Williams | LB | MA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| JJ Denman | OL | PA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Eugene Lewis | WR | PA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Armani Reeves | CB | MA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Joey O'Connor | OL | CO | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Brent Wilkerson | DE | MD | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Brian Gaia | OL | MD | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Skyler Mornhinweg | QB | PA | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Anthony Stanko | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Nyeem Wartman | LB | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jesse James | TE | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Austin Johnson | OL | NJ | 3 | 3 | NR | NR |
| Jake Kiley | CB | NH | 2 | 3 | 2 | NR |
| Derek Dowrey | DT | VA | 2 | 2 | 3 | NR |
| JP Holtz | TE | PA | NR | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Nitanny Lions have a big Wednesday, grabbing highly rated DT Tommy Schutt and WR Eugene Lewis. They continued the good recruiting mojo on Friday with CB Armani Reeves. JP Holtz picks up a 3-star rating from ESPN. All of that action vaults PSU into a slot baaaarely behind Notre Dame (and in second place in the conference proper).
| #4 Ohio State - 12 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 |
| Pat Elflein | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Jacoby Boren | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Frank Epitropoulos | WR | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Blake Thomas | TE | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Roger Lewis | WR | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Luke Roberts | LB | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Tyvis Powell | S | OH | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Najee Murray | CB | OH | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Ohio State picks up wideout Roger Lewis.
| #5 Michigan State - 14 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Se'Von Pittman | DE | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Aaron Burbridge | WR | MI | 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 |
| MacGarrett Kings | WR | FL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jermaine Edmondson | S | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Evan Jones | TE | OH | 3 | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Kodi Kieler | OL | MI | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
Spartans pick up relatively unknown in-stater Kodi Kieler. Though their averages drop a bit, the "don't punish them for picking up another commitment" principle applies.
| #6 Wisconsin - 9 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 |
| Walker Williams | OL | WA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Hugs Etienne | CB | CA | 3 | 2 | 3 | NR |
| Reggie Mitchell | CB | PA | 2 | 2 | 2 | NR |
| Arthur Goldberg | DT | PA | NR | 3 | 2 | NR |
Badgers pick up Walker Williams. Reggie Mitchell earns two stars from ESPN.
| #7 Indiana - 17 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Gunner Kiel | QB | IN | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| 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 |
| Adam Kranda | TE | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Wes Rogers | OL | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mike Cotton | LB | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Sebastian Smith | S | OH | 3 | 2 | NR | 3 |
| Jason Spriggs | TE | IN | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jacob Bailey | OL | IN | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Shawn Heffern | DE | IN | NR | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tanner Kearns | TE | OH | NR | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Caleb Cornett | WR | IN | NR | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Alex Todd | OL | OH | NR | 2 | 2 | NR |
| Dawson Fletcher | S | OH | NR | 2 | NR | NR |
| Darius Stroud | LB | KS | NR | NR | JC | NR |
Hoosiers pick up Sebastian Smith. Tanner Kearns gets 3 stars from 24/7.
| #8 Northwestern - 13 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 |
| Eric Olson | OL | MA | 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 |
| Mike McHugh | WR | PA | 3 | 2 | 2 | NR |
| Dwight White | CB | TX | 3 | 2 | 2 | NR |
| Connor Mahoney | OL | PA | 2 | 3 | 3 | NR |
| Dan Vitale | S | IL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Joseph Jones | S | PA | 2 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Chris Fitzpatrick | OL | KY | NR | 2 | NR | NR |
No change in the rankings, but 24/7 Sports has finally gotten around to, you know, adding the Wildcats' commits to their commitment list.
| #9 Minnesota - 18 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jonah Pirsig | OL | MN | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Isaac Hayes | OL | MN | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Philip Nelson | QB | MN | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Jack Lynn | LB | IL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Dinero Moss | S | FL | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Dominic Twitty | DT | NJ | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Brian Nicholson | LB | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | NR |
| Jordan Hinojosa | DT | FL | 3 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Mitch Leidner | QB | MN | 2 | 3 | 2 | NR |
| Drew Davis | LB | NC | 2 | 2 | 3 | NR |
| Samad Hinds | TE | FL | 2 | 2 | 3 | NR |
| Josh Ballesteros | LB | FL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Eric Murray | CB | WI | 2 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Scott Ekpe | DT | TX | 2 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Nick Rallis | S | MN | NR | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Maxx Williams | TE | MN | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
| Isaac Fruechte | WR | MN | NR | 2 | JC | NR |
| Rodrick Williams | RB | TX | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Like with Northwestern, 24/7 Sports has finally inconvenienced themselves enough to add Minnesota's commits to their commitment list (novel idea!). On a similar note, Rivals added Nick Rallis to the Gophers' commit list, so he's now on the chart.
| #10 Nebraska - 6 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 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Jordan Westerkamp | WR | IL | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Sam Cotton | TE | NE | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Deion Jones | LB | LA | 2 | 3 | NR | NR |
Scout downgrades Michael Rose to a 3-star. No further changes for Nebraska.
| #11 Iowa - 9 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jaleel Johnson | DT | IL | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Ryan Ward | OL | IL | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Maurice Fleming | CB | IL | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Cameron Wilson | WR | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mitch Keppy | OL | IL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Michael Malloy | RB | IA | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Drew Ott | DE | NE | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Laron Taylor | LB | MI | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Connor Kornbrath | K | WV | 2 | 3 | 2 | NR |
No change.
| #12 Purdue - 11 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 |
| Jonathan Curry | TE | AL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Andy Garcia | LB | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| BJ Knauf | WR | FL | 3 | NR | 2 | NR |
| Anthony Brown | CB | FL | 3 | NR | NR | NR |
| Paul Griggs | K | NC | 2 | 3 | 3 | NR |
| Thomas Meadows | K | VA | 2 | NR | 2 | NR |
| Jimmy Herman | S | IN | NR | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Steffon Martin | LB | AZ | NR | 2 | JC | NR |
24/7 Sports has wised up to Purdue's commit list as well, leaving Scout the odd service out as far as "having a clue who's committed." They did upgrade Steffon Martin (who they don't include on Purdue's commit list) to two stars.
| #13 Illinois - 8 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Tajarvis Fuller | LB | FL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cody Quinn | CB | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Elliot Faerber | WR | KS | 3 | 3 | 2 | NR |
| Tyler Barton | S | FL | 3 | NR | 2 | NR |
| Jason Robertson | WR | IL | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Zach Jackson | S | FL | NR | 3 | 3 | NR |
| Joseph Spencer | OL | OH | NR | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Joey Warburg | OL | KY | NR | 2 | 3 | NR |
Illini pick up Zach Jackson. Spencer gets a third star on Scout and Quinn gets three stars from ESPN. As with several other schools, 24/7 Sports has wised up to the Illinois commit list.
August 14th, 2011 at 11:20 AM | 
Penn State's class is shaping
Penn State's class is shaping
August 14th, 2011 at 1:41 PM |
No way,
No way,
we need at least 5 WRs in this class.
/s
1) Because I love @erikmagnuson77 he's my boo and 2) I hate Ohio State
August 14th, 2011 at 1:57 PM |
I'm still hoping for Dunn.
I'm still hoping for Dunn.
I'm still hoping for Dunn.
August 14th, 2011 at 12:08 PM |
Apart from
Apart from
those top 2 guys, State's class is just flat out not good.
August 14th, 2011 at 12:23 PM |
And yet, they convince
And yet, they convince
And yet, they convince themselves that they are keeping up with the Joneses. Seriously, from what I have been able to gleen from my schadenfreude induced forays into their territory, they only think they need like 5 4 stars to keep up with UM. And by their measures, they already have 4. Those silly little buggers...
August 14th, 2011 at 12:41 PM |
Sparty is
Sparty is
as Sparty does
Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'
August 14th, 2011 at 12:54 PM |
OSU's class isn't much better
OSU's class isn't much better
If Dunn were to flip, OSU's and MSU's classes both would be basically a bunch of 3 stars with a couple of 4 stars thrown in. OSU's fans have got to be somewhat concerned.
"I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove anything." B. Simpson
August 14th, 2011 at 1:09 PM |
Of course they're not. Did
Of course they're not. Did
Of course they're not. Did you see the updated Scouting Ohio rankings? They've got the top recruits out of Ohio! Plus, the 2013 class is even better and they all really, really like Ohio.
August 14th, 2011 at 1:45 PM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
I actually like states class better than osu
August 14th, 2011 at 12:43 PM |
THis is so awesome!
THis is so awesome!
The fact that our class is almost filled out gives the coaching staff a "leg up" on the 2013 class. I'm so glad that Coach Hoke and staff are a bunch of hard workers.
Strength and Honor
August 14th, 2011 at 1:02 PM |
Armani reeves is a three star
Armani reeves is a three star
Armani reeves is a three star on Espn, not a four star
August 14th, 2011 at 1:43 PM |
Yeah, I saw that too,
Yeah, I saw that too,
but ESPN is on crack so it evens out :o)
1) Because I love @erikmagnuson77 he's my boo and 2) I hate Ohio State
August 14th, 2011 at 1:48 PM |
Anyone else surprised
Anyone else surprised
that nebraska is doing so hot on recruiting?
bow bow
August 14th, 2011 at 4:02 PM |
what?
what?
what?
August 14th, 2011 at 4:06 PM |
PSU
PSU
Reminds me of penn st last year. It seems like they had about a half dozen commits until very late in the process. They ended up only signing 16 total and finished 35th nationally according to rivals. That put them 6th in the B1G, 7th including ND. I'm guessing the low number was due to just not having many scholarships to give, and it's possible nebraska is in the same boat this year.
August 14th, 2011 at 6:00 PM |
That's about right
That's about right
As far as I can tell, NU has about 16 scholarships to give this year. I suspect that the staff is being cautious, just giving offers to mid-ranked kids that they're really high on, and waiting on decisions from some upper-tier recruits before filling out the class. That said, I kind of hoped there would be a couple of more names on that list by now.
August 14th, 2011 at 1:59 PM |
Coaches are exploring
Coaches are exploring
taking another top CB, yet we already had Wayne Morgan as a silent commit and lost him. Everybody says we need another DT in this class, and Tommy Schutt tries to set up a visit and the coaches pass. It's just a few weeks before the season begins and rating services all decide that Michigans recruits are slightly less wonderful than they previously thought based on absolutely nothing happening. With 22 commits on board I thought things would be stablized but now I'm so confused I feel like I'm dating again.
1) Because I love @erikmagnuson77 he's my boo and 2) I hate Ohio State
August 14th, 2011 at 2:14 PM |
I must admit
I must admit
that I have no idea what you are talking about - but more importantly I have no idea what I am talking about - with that said, Coach Hoke has an evil master plan to finish out the class with some absolute studs!
Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'
August 14th, 2011 at 2:35 PM |
As of right now, there is
As of right now, there is
As of right now, there is nothing to worry about with this class. Wayne Morgan has slipped extremely far in the rankings so that may have been a blessing in disguise. We still have a very good chance with Yuri Wright. At DT, things are looking good for O'brien and Pipkins was apparently a silent commit when Schutt tried to visit. I wouldn't rule out Shittu yet either.
Special Teams means special times!
August 15th, 2011 at 8:03 AM |
I have to say...
I have to say...
seeing Reeves and Schutt on PSU after what had transpired over the past couple weeks is a little disappointing. Oh well, we still have a great class so good luck to both when not playing UM.
Penn State's class is shaping up nicely. Very different from last year where they had all of four commits for what seemed like forever. If you take out their three lowest commits (to ND's level of 13 commits) - their averages would be very similar to Notre Dame. I wonder how solid Schutt is for them after the charades of the past few weeks in his recruitment.
Big pickup for us with Pipkins - very curious to see how the classes closes out. Hopefully another DT, 2 WRs, and either an OL or a CB in there.
Crunch. Zip. Live to fight another day.