Big Ten Recruiting Class Rankings 12-4-11
Michigan gets a commit as I'm writing this, which is always pretty cool. There's a fair amount of movement this week (OK, two weeks, as I was foolish enough to think I'd do mid-week rankings after Rivals finished their re-ranks) thanks to a few decommits and Rivals coming out with new rankings. Action since last rankings:
11-20-11: Pharaoh Brown removed from Michigan commit list.
11-22-11: Ohio State picks up Adolphus Washington.
11-24-11: Illinois picks up Dami Ayoola.
11-27-11: Ohio State picks up Ricquan Southward.
11-29-11: Minnesota picks up Alex Keith.
12-1-11: J.P. Holtz decommits from Penn State.
12-2-11: Deion Jones decommits from Nebraska.
12-4-11: Michigan picks up Amara Darboh.
Chart? Chart:
| Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | # Commits | Rivals Avg | Scout Avg | ESPN Avg | 24/7 Avg | Avg Avg^ |
| 1 | Michigan | 24 | 3.50 | 3.63 | 3.33 | 3.54 | 3.50 |
| 2 | Notre Dame | 15 | 3.40 | 3.73 | 3.47 | 3.47 | 3.52 |
| 3 | Ohio State | 16 | 3.38 | 3.50 | 3.25 | 3.50 | 3.41 |
| 4 | Penn State | 14 | 3.14 | 3.36 | 3.14 | 3.29 | 3.23 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 12 | 3.42 | 3.33 | 3.17 | 3.50 | 3.35 |
| 6 | Michigan State | 15 | 3.13 | 3.20 | 2.93 | 3.13 | 3.10 |
| 7 | Purdue | 21 | 2.90 | 2.48 | 2.67* | 2.81 | 2.71 |
| 8 | Indiana | 21 | 2.57 | 2.38 | 2.53* | 2.52 | 2.50 |
| 9 | Northwestern | 18 | 2.56 | 2.50 | 2.33 | 2.50 | 2.47 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 23 | 2.48 | 2.39 | 2.19* | 2.48 | 2.38 |
| 11 | Iowa | 12 | 3.00 | 2.67 | 2.92 | 2.92 | 2.88 |
| 12 | Illinois | 14 | 2.79 | 2.64 | 2.64 | 2.79 | 2.71 |
| 13 | Nebraska | 7 | 3.57 | 3.14 | 3.50* | 3.57 | 3.44 |
*ESPN doesn't rate JuCos, so they are counted as unranked recruits for the sake of consistency (trust me, it makes sense when you look at the spreadsheet).
^The average of the average rankings of the four recruiting services (aka the previous four columns). The figure is calculated based on the raw numbers and then rounded, so the numbers above may not average out exactly.
On to the full data, after the jump.
| #1 Michigan - 24 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Kyle Kalis | OL | OH | 5 | 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 |
| Amara Darboh | WR | IA | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Tom Strobel | DE | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Ondre Pipkins | DT | MO | 4 | 4 | 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 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Matt Godin | DE | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Ben Braden | OL | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jeremy Clark | S | KY | 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 |
| A.J. Williams | TE | OH | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Sione Houma | FB | UT | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Drake Johnson | RB | MI | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
The Wolverines pick up a commitment from receiver Amara Darboh. Pharaoh Brown removed from Michigan's commit list after visiting Oregon. Kyle Kalis gets five stars and Drake Johnson three stars from Rivals.
| #2 Notre Dame - 15 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jarron Jones | DT | NY | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 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 |
| William Mahone | RB | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Taylor Decker | OL | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Nick Baratti | S | TX | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| C.J. 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 |
| Chris Brown | WR | SC | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| John Turner | S | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Scott Daly | LS | IL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
No change for the Irish.
| #3 Ohio State - 16 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Adolphus Washington | DE | OH | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| 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 |
| Michael Thomas | WR | VA | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Najee Murray | CB | OH | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Pat Elflein | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Jacoby Boren | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Cardale Jones | QB | 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 | 3 |
| Ricquan Southward | WR | FL | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Tyvis Powell | S | OH | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Ohio State adds Adolphus Washington and Ricquan Southward. Najee Murray picks up a third star from Rivals, while Luke Roberts gets his third star from 24/7.
| #4 Penn State - 14 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 |
| Eugene Lewis | WR | PA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Armani Reeves | CB | MA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Brent Wilkerson | DE | MD | 3 | 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 | 3 |
| Malik Golden | ATH | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jake Kiley | CB | NH | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Derek Dowrey | DT | VA | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Tight end J.P. Holtz decommits from the Nittany Lions. Brent Wilkerson downgraded from a four- to a three-star by Rivals.
| #5 Wisconsin - 12 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 |
| J.J. Denman | OL | PA | 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 |
| D.J. Singleton | S | NJ | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Walker Williams | OL | WA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Arthur Goldberg | DT | PA | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Hugs Etienne | CB | CA | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Reggie Love | WR | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Reggie Mitchell | CB | PA | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Reggie Love gets a three-star rating from Rivals.
| #6 Michigan State - 15 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 |
| Jamal Lyles | LB | MI | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Kodi Kieler | OL | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Evan Jones | TE | OH | 3 | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Ezra Robinson | CB | FL | 3 | 3 | NR | 3 |
Jamal Lyles gets a fourth star from Rivals.
| #7 Purdue - 21 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 |
| Jordan Roos | OL | TX | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Dion Witty | CB | FL | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Jonathan Curry | TE | AL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Paul Griggs | K | NC | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Aloyis Gray | ATH | IN | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Andy Garcia | LB | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cameron Cermin | OL | TX | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| B.J. Knauf | WR | FL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Jimmy Herman | S | IN | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Devin Smith | OL | AZ | 3 | 3 | JC | 3 |
| Steffon Martin | LB | AZ | 3 | 2 | JC | 3 |
| Carlos Carvajal | TE | NY | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Anthony Brown | CB | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Danny Anthrop | WR | IN | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Greg Latta | DE | CA | 3 | 2 | JC | NR |
| Cameron Posey | WR | FL | 3 | NR | 2 | 3 |
| Thomas Meadows | K | VA | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jordan Woods | WR | MI | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Danny Anthrop and Greg Latta each earn three-star ratings from Rivals.
| #8 Indiana - 21 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 |
| Adam Kranda | TE | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Wes Rogers | OL | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mike Cotton | LB | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Shawn Heffern | DE | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Sebastian Smith | S | OH | 3 | 2 | NR | 3 |
| Dante Blackmon | CB | GA | 3 | NR | 3 | 2 |
| Jacarri Alexander | LB | IA | 3 | 3 | JC | 2 |
| Shaine Boyle | CB | CA | 3 | NR | JC | NR |
| Darius Stroud | LB | KS | 3 | NR | JC | 3 |
| Jason Spriggs | TE | IN | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tanner Kearns | TE | OH | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Caleb Cornett | WR | IN | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Alex Todd | OL | OH | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Jacob Bailey | OL | IN | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Dawson Fletcher | S | OH | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Tregg Waters | S | AZ | 2 | NR | JC | NR |
| David Cooper | LB | KS | NR | NR | JC | NR |
Jacarri Alexander, Dante Blackmon, and Shaine Boyle get three stars and Tregg Waters two stars from Rivals. Thanks to the boost in ratings and having three more commits, Indiana (barely) jumps Northwestern in the overall rankings.
| #9 Northwestern - 18 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Greg Kuhar | DT | OH | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Adam DePietro | OL | PA | 3 | 4 | 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 | 3 |
| Eric Wilson | WR | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Malin Jones | RB | IL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Traveon Henry | RB | FL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Terrance Brown | S | CA | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Mike McHugh | WR | PA | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dwight White | CB | TX | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Connor Mahoney | OL | PA | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Dan Vitale | S | IL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Joseph Jones | S | PA | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Chris Fitzpatrick | OL | KY | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jaylen Prater | LB | OH | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Greg Kuhar gets a fourth star, Eric Wilson and Terrance Brown three stars, and Jaylen Prater two from Rivals. Wilson also gets a three-star rating from ESPN.
| #10 Minnesota - 23 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 |
| Jamel Harbison | WR | NC | 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 |
| Brian Nicholson | LB | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jordan Hinojosa | DT | FL | 3 | 2 | NR | 3 |
| Nick Rallis | S | MN | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Maxx Williams | TE | MN | 3 | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Rodrick Williams | RB | TX | 3 | 2 | NR | 3 |
| Barrington Morris | LB | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| James Gillum | RB | MS | 3 | 2 | JC | NR |
| Mitch Leidner | QB | MN | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Drew Davis | LB | NC | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Samad Hinds | TE | FL | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Josh Ballesteros | LB | FL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Eric Murray | CB | WI | 2 | 2 | NR | 2 |
| Scott Ekpe | DT | TX | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Isaac Fruechte | WR | MN | 2 | 2 | JC | 2 |
| Jeremy Baltazar | CB | TX | 2 | NR | JC | NR |
| Tyren Hills | CB | LA | NR | 2 | NR | 2 |
| Adam Keith | DE | MO | NR | NR | 2 | NR |
The Gophers pick up Adam Keith. Barrington Morris gets three stars from Rivals and two from ESPN, while Rodrick Williams gets two stars from Scout and Scott Ekpe two from ESPN.
| #11 Iowa - 12 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 |
| Ruben Lile | ATH | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 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 |
| Daumantas Venckus | DE | FL | 3 | NR | 3 | 2 |
| Greg Mabin | WR | FL | 3 | NR | 2 | 3 |
| Laron Taylor | LB | MI | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Connor Kornbrath | K | WV | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Daumantas Vanckus gets three stars from Rivals and ESPN.
| #12 Illinois - 14 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Keith Brown | LB | FL | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Dami Ayoola | RB | FL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tajarvis Fuller | LB | FL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cody Quinn | CB | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Joseph Spencer | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Vontrell Williams | DT | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Zach Jackson | S | FL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Elliot Faerber | WR | KS | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Robert Bain | OL | IL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Tyler Barton | S | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jason Robertson | WR | IL | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Joey Warburg | OL | KY | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Ryan Frain | K | IN | 2 | NR | 2 | 2 |
| Lamar Atkins | LB | FL | 2 | NR | NR | 2 |
The Illini pick up consensus three-star running back Dami Ayoola. Zach Jackson gets three stars from Rivals while Ryan Frain and Lamar Atkins each get two. Atkins also snags a two-star rating from 24/7.
| #13 Nebraska - 7 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Paul Thurston | OL | CO | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Greg McMullen | DE | OH | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Jordan Westerkamp | WR | IL | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Zaire Anderson | LB | CA | 4 | 2 | JC | 3 |
| Michael Rose | LB | MO | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Tommy Armstrong | QB | TX | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Sam Cotton | TE | NE | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Nebraska drops even further behind the pack as linebacker Deion Jones decommits and flips to LSU. Jordan Westerkamp and Zaire Anderson get four-star rankings from Rivals.
December 4th, 2011 at 7:15 PM ^
Kalis needs MOAR stars in the Rivals column. Yay WRs!
December 4th, 2011 at 7:29 PM ^
One moar star added. Thanks for the heads up.
December 4th, 2011 at 7:54 PM ^
Tyren Hills is listed (and counted) twice for Minny.
December 4th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^
We now have 16 incoming recruits that were rated 4 stars or better by at least one recruiting service. Not bad.
December 5th, 2011 at 10:03 AM ^
I propose that PIttman decommit from Sparty and go to OSU and that Burbridge decommit from Sparty and come to us. How's that sound?
December 5th, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^
Sam Webb made a passing remark this morning about MSU maybe losing their top recruit. Not sure what that meant, but you may be on to something.
December 5th, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^
There have been rumors of Pittman going to OSU for a while. His GF just commited to go there, and he's supposedly about to set up a visit.
December 5th, 2011 at 11:11 AM ^
I think Nebraska should be higher. They could fill their class out with a bunch of 2 and 3 starts and still end up with a higher average than the 6 teams above them.
Not knowing anything about who they're after, it doesn't seem out of the question to see them finish at #5, once Pittman goes from MSU to OSU and PSU loses more recruits.
December 5th, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^
since big classes count towards a high rating. It's not a question of a "poor" class. Average stars are pretty good, and because we're filling such a small class, we're placing more emphasis on high star kids, who typically wait longer to choose a school.
December 5th, 2011 at 9:29 PM ^
Tigers could sign Jeter ...... But they won't. There is nothing to do in Nebraska.
December 5th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
December 5th, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^
Interestingly, most of MSU's best players weren't highly rated, including all of their Ohio players (Worthy, Bell, others). They've done a nice job developing their talent. Similar to Iowa and Wisconsin over the years.
December 5th, 2011 at 4:14 PM ^
There are indeed some of those kids, but there are also higher rated recruited like 5* Gholston, 4* Bullough, 4* Thomas, 4* Baker, 4* Norman. I imagine the goal (of a program developing "diamonds in the rough") is to turn that success into rough diamonds and 4/5* players as well. Beilein would fit that pattern - beginning with Novak types and now working toward Little Dawg and McGary. MSU, however, is winning games but getting skunked on the recruiting trail.
December 5th, 2011 at 5:28 PM ^
Sparty isn't playing the same game as Michigan, ND and OSU. They'll never consistently out recruit those three. What you see this year out of MSU is a good class for an Iowa/Wisconsin/MSU type program. You can strink MSU like classes together, add a little luck and maybe make a run (see Ok. State), but there's certainly less margin for error.
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