Big Ten Recruiting Rankings 2-4-13

Submitted by Ace on

As promised, here is where the recruiting rankings stand with two days until Signing Day 2013. Michigan still has command of the board, and a few of the Big Ten's best programs still languish in the bottom half of the rankings. Link to last rankings (too many changes to list).

Chart? Chart:

Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings
Rank School # Commits Rivals Avg Scout Avg 24/7 Avg ESPN Avg Avg Avg^ POINTS*
1 Michigan 27 3.63 3.81 3.63 3.59 3.67 99.00
2 Notre Dame 23 3.87 3.87 3.87 3.87 3.87 89.00
3 Ohio State 23 3.65 3.87 3.78 3.78 3.77 86.75
4 Nebraska 25 3.16 3.32 3.28 3.32 3.27 81.75
5 Illinois 26 2.73 2.77 2.73 2.96 2.80 72.75
6 Rutgers 22 2.82 2.91 2.82 3.14 2.92 64.25
7 Maryland 20 2.90 2.75 2.90 3.05 2.90 58.00
8 Michigan State 18 3.11 3.06 3.11 3.22 3.13 56.25
9 Northwestern 19 2.89 3.00 2.84 3.00 2.93 55.75
10 Purdue 20 2.70 2.55 2.65 3.00 2.73 54.50
11 Iowa 19 2.84 2.74 2.89 2.84 2.83 53.75
12 Penn State 17 3.00 3.00 3.29 3.18 3.12 53.00
13 Indiana 19 2.95 2.79 2.37 2.79 2.72 51.75
14 Wisconsin 16 2.94 3.06 2.81 3.19 3.00 48.00
15 Minnesota 16 2.75 2.44 2.81 2.88 2.72 43.50

^The average of the average rankings of the four recruiting services (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.

*The product of number of Commits and Average Average

NOTE: Unranked recruits are counted as two-star players.

On to the full data after the jump.

 

#1 Michigan - 27 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Derrick Green RB VA 5 5 4 4
Shane Morris QB MI 4 5 4 4
Patrick Kugler OL PA 4 5 4 4
Dymonte Thomas S OH 4 5 4 4
Kyle Bosch OL IL 4 4 4 4
David Dawson OL MI 4 4 4 4
Taco Charlton DE OH 4 4 4 4
Chris Fox OL CO 4 4 4 4
Ben Gedeon LB OH 4 4 4 4
Jourdan Lewis CB MI 4 4 4 4
Mike McCray LB OH 4 4 4 4
Henry Poggi DT MD 4 4 4 4
Logan Tuley-Tillman OL IL 4 4 4 4
Delano Hill S MI 4 4 4 3
Wyatt Shallman ATH MI 4 4 4 3
Jake Butt TE OH 4 4 3 4
Ross Douglas CB OH 4 3 4 4
DeVeon Smith RB OH 3 4 4 4
Maurice Hurst Jr. DT MA 3 4 4 3
Dan Sameulson OL IN 3 4 3 3
Jaron Dukes WR OH 3 3 3 4
Reon Dawson CB OH 3 3 3 3
Khalid Hill TE MI 3 3 3 3
Da'Mario Jones WR MI 3 3 3 3
Channing Stribling CB NC 3 3 3 3
Csont'e York WR MI 3 3 3 3
Scott Sypniewski LS IL 2 2 2 2

The Wolverines add top-ranked RB Derrick Green, IN OL Dan Samuelson, and OH CB Reon Dawson.

#2 Notre Dame - 23 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Jaylon Smith LB IN 5 5 5 5
Greg Bryant RB FL 5 4 4 4
Max Redfield S CA 5 4 4 4
Hunter Bivin OL KY 4 4 4 4
Steven Elmer OL MI 4 4 4 4
Tarean Folston RB FL 4 4 4 4
Mike Heuerman TE FL 4 4 4 4
Torii Hunter Jr. WR TX 4 4 4 4
Cole Luke CB AZ 4 4 4 4
Mike McGlinchey OL PA 4 4 4 4
Isaac Rochell DE GA 4 4 4 4
Malik Zaire QB OH 4 4 4 4
John Montelus OL MA 4 4 4 3
James Onwualu WR MN 4 4 3 4
William Fuller WR PA 4 4 4 3
Corey Robinson WR TX 4 4 3 3
Doug Randolph LB VA 4 3 4 4
Colin McGovern OL IL 3 4 4 4
Durham Smythe TE TX 3 4 4 4
Jacob Matuska DE OH 3 4 3 3
Rashad Kinlaw ATH NJ 3 3 4 4
Devin Butler CB DC 3 3 4 4
Michael Deeb LB FL 3 3 3 4

The Irish lose commitments from Alex Anzalone and Jamel James, but pick up Max Redfield, Tarean Folston, and Durham Smythe.

#3 Ohio State - 23 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Mike Mitchell LB TX 5 5 4 4
Jalin Marshall ATH OH 4 5 4 4
Joey Bosa DE FL 4 5 4 4
Eli Apple CB NJ 4 4 4 5
J.T. Barrett QB TX 4 4 4 4
Marcus Baugh TE CA 4 4 4 4
Cameron Burrows CB OH 4 4 4 4
Michael Hill DT SC 4 4 4 4
Trey Johnson LB GA 4 4 4 4
Evan Lisle OL OH 4 4 4 4
Billy Price DT OH 4 4 4 4
Ezekiel Elliott RB MO 4 4 4 4
Jayme Thompson S OH 4 4 4 4
Corey Smith (JC) WR MS 4 4 4 4
Tyquan Lewis DE NC 4 3 4 3
Gareon Conley CB OH 3 4 4 4
Donovan Munger DT OH 3 4 4 4
Darron Lee ATH OH 3 4 3 3
Tim Gardner OL IN 3 3 4 3
Christopher Worley LB OH 3 3 4 3
Taivon Jacobs WR MD 3 3 3 4
Tracy Sprinkle DE OH 3 3 3 3
Johnny Townsend P FL 2 3 2 3

The Buckeyes move into third after landing TX LB Mike Mitchell, GA LB Trey Johnson, JUCO MS WR Corey Smith, and OH LB Christopher Worley (not to be confused with Michigan DL Chris Wormley).

#4 Nebraska - 25 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Josh Banderas LB NE 4 4 4 4
Terrell Newby RB CA 4 4 4 4
Randy Gregory (JC) DE AZ 4 4 4 4
Adam Taylor RB TX 4 4 4 4
Marcus Newby LB MD 4 3 4 4
Johnny Stanton QB CA 3 4 4 4
D.J. Singleton S NJ 3 4 3 4
Maliek Collins DT MO 3 4 3 3
A.J. Natter DE WI 3 4 3 3
Matt Finnin (JC) OL IL 3 4 3 3
David Knevel OL ONT 3 3 4 4
Courtney Love LB OH 3 3 4 4
Tre'vell Dixon S LA 3 3 3 4
Cethan Carter TE LA 3 3 3 3
Nathan Gerry S SD 3 3 3 3
Kevin Gladney WR OH 3 3 3 3
Zach Hannon OL MO 3 3 3 3
Greg Hart TE OH 3 3 3 3
Boaz Joseph CB FL 3 3 3 3
Chongo Kondolo (JC) OL CA 3 3 3 3
Kevin Maurice DT FL 3 3 3 3
Dimarya Mixon DE TX 3 3 3 3
Ernest Suttles DE FL 3 3 3 3
Drake Martinez S CA 3 3 3 2
Gabriel Miller LS IN 2 2 2 2

The Huskers add CA RB Terrell Newby, MO DT Maliek Collins, IL OL Matt Finnen, ONT (yes, Canada) OL David Knevel, LA S Tre'vell Dixon, LA TE Cethan Carter, FL CB Boaz Joseph, CA OL Chongo Kondolo, FL DT Kevin Maurice, TX DE Mimarya Mixon, FL DE Ernest Suggles, and CA S Drake Martinez. They do suffer three decommitments, including OL Dan Samuelson (Michigan).

#5 Illinois - 26 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Aaron Bailey QB IL 4 4 4 4
Caleb Day CB OH 4 3 3 3
Paul James DE FL 3 3 3 4
Darius Mosely CB IL 3 3 3 4
Jarrod Clements DE OH 3 3 3 3
Christian DiLauro TE OH 3 3 3 3
Merrick Jackson DT IL 3 3 3 3
Reggie Spearman LB IL 3 3 3 3
Abens Cajuste (JC) DT CA 3 3 3 3
Dillan Cazley CB IL 3 3 2 3
Bryce Douglas DT IL 3 3 2 3
Kendrick Foster RB IL 3 3 2 3
Darwyn Kelly S DC 3 2 3 3
Dionte Taylor WR FL 3 2 3 2
Dallas Hinkhouse (JC) OL IA 3 3 3 2
Martize Barr (JC) WR IA 3 3 2 3
Dawuane Smoot DE OH 3 2 2 3
Jesse Chadwell OL MI 2 3 3 3
Miguel Hermosillo ATH IL 2 3 3 3
Austin Schmidt OL OH 2 3 2 3
Marchie Murdock WR TX 2 2 3 3
Tyler White TE MI 2 3 3 3
Zane Petty (JC) S CA 2 3 3 3
James Crawford S FL 2 2 3 2
Eric Finney (JC) S CA 2 2 2 3
Jaylen Dunlap CB IL 2 2 2 2

The Illini get commitments from FL DE Paul James, FL WR Dionte Taylor, FL S James Crawford, and IL CB Jaylen Dunlap; they also lose four commits, including OH CB Reon Dawson (Michigan).

#6 Rutgers - 22 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Nadir Barnwell CB NJ 4 4 4 4
Dorian Miller OL NJ 3 4 3 4
Chris Laviano QB NY 3 3 3 4
Myles Nash ATH NJ 3 3 3 4
Dontea Ayres RB DE 3 3 3 3
Janarion Grant CB FL 3 3 3 3
Nick Internicola DE FL 3 3 3 3
Lester Liston LB VA 3 3 3 3
Taylor Marini TE FL 3 3 3 3
Andre Patton WR DE 3 3 3 3
Eric Wiafe DT NJ 3 3 3 2
Delon Stephenson (JC) CB NY 3 3 3 3
Anthony Cioffi S NJ 3 3 2 3
Justin Goodwin CB NJ 3 2 3 3
T.J. Taylor LB NJ 3 3 3 3
Bryant Gross S FL 3 2 2 3
Sebastian Joseph DT PA 3 3 2 3
Nick Arcidiacono TE PA 2 3 3 3
John Tsimis WR NJ 2 3 3 3
Josh Klecko DT NJ 2 3 2 3
Kemoko Turay DE NJ 2 2 3 3
Devan Carter LB NY 2 2 2 3

The Scarlet Knights lose commitments from FL LB Skai Moore and Australian punter Dean Crozier; they pick up FL CB Janarion Grant and NY LB Devan Carter to replace them.

#7 Maryland - 20 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Deon Long (JC) WR IA 5 3 4 4
Derwin Gray OL DC 4 4 4 4
Will Likely CB FL 4 3 3 4
Andrew Isaacs TE CT 4 3 3 3
Shane Cockerille QB MD 3 3 3 4
Milan Collins S MD 3 3 3 3
Jajuan Dulaney OL GA 3 3 3 3
Moise Larose OL MD 3 3 3 3
Demetri McGill DT VA 3 3 3 3
Kingsley Opara DT FL 3 3 3 3
Jarrett Ross DE DE 3 3 3 3
Cavon Walker LB DC 3 3 3 3
Jermaine Carter LB DC 3 2 3 3
Derrick Hayward LB MD 2 3 3 3
Chandler Burkett DE FL 2 3 2 2
Jalen Brooks LB GA 2 2 3 3
Malik Jones OL MD 2 2 3 2
Elvis Dennah S MD 2 2 2 3
Silvano Altamirano (JC) OL CA 2 2 2 3
DeAndre Lane ATH MD 2 2 2 2

The Terps pick up FL CB Will Likely, FL DE Chandler Burkett, and JUCO CA OL Silvano Altamirano.

#8 Michigan State - 18 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Jon Reschke LB MI 4 4 4 4
Damion Terry QB PA 4 4 4 4
Shane Jones LB OH 4 4 3 4
Dennis Finley OL MI 3 4 4 4
Delton Williams ATH PA 3 3 4 4
Darian Hicks CB OH 3 3 4 3
Jalyn Powell S OH 3 3 3 4
Demetrius Cooper DE IL 3 3 3 3
Gerald Holmes RB MI 3 3 3 3
Jay Harris WR PA 3 3 3 3
R.J. Shelton RB WI 3 3 3 3
Trey Kilgore WR OH 3 3 3 3
Devyn Salmon DT FL 3 3 2 3
Justin Williams S FL 3 3 2 3
Michael Geiger K OH 3 2 3 3
Noah Jones DT FL 3 2 3 NR
Dylan Chmura TE WI 3 2 2 NR
James Bodanis DT ONT 2 3 3 3

The Spartans add FL S Justin Williams, FL DT Noah Jones, and ONT DT James Bodanis.

#9 Northwestern - 19 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Matt Alviti QB IL 4 4 4 4
Godwin Igwebuike ATH OH 3 4 3 4
Tyler Lancaster OL IL 3 3 4 3
Sam Coverdale OL OH 3 3 3 3
Matt Harris WR IL 3 3 3 3
Blake King OL IL 3 3 3 3
Xavier Menifield RB CA 3 3 3 3
Brad North OL TX 3 3 3 3
Kyle Queiro ATH NJ 3 3 3 3
Anthony Walker Jr. LB FL 3 3 3 3
Brett Walsh LB CA 3 3 3 3
Keith Watkins RB OH 3 3 3 3
Eric Joraskie DE PA 3 3 2 3
Warren Miles-Long RB CA 3 3 2 3
Marcus McShepard CB OH 3 3 2 3
Macan Wilson WR TX 3 3 2 3
Jayme Taylor TE TX 2 3 3 3
Tommy Fuessel ATH IL 2 2 3 2
Hunter Miswander K OH 2 2 2 2

The Wildcats lose CA DE Raymond Davison.

#10 Purdue - 20 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Danny Etling QB IN 4 3 3 4
Keyante Green RB GA 3 3 3 4
Austin Logan S FL 3 3 3 3
Antoine Miles DE OH 3 3 3 3
Dan Monteroso WR OH 3 3 3 3
Jake Replogle DE OH 3 3 3 3
David Yancey RB IN 3 3 3 3
Deangelo Yancey WR FL 3 3 2 3
Johnny Thompson DE GA 3 3 2 2
Leroy Clark CB FL 3 2 3 4
Evan Panfil DE IL 3 2 3 3
Matt Burke TE FL 3 2 3 2
John Strauser DE IL 3 2 2 3
Danny Ezechukwu DE GA 2 3 2 3
Johnny Daniels DT IL 2 3 2 2
Garrett Hudson LB FL 2 2 3 3
Dezwan Polk LB OH 2 2 2 3
Jason Tretter OL OH 2 2 2 3
Myles Norwood WR TX 2 NR 3 3
Ra-Zahn Howard (JC) DT GA 2 NR 3 3

The Boilermakers add OH DE Antoine Miles, OH WR Dan Monteroso, FL WR Deangelo Yancey, IL DE Evan Panfil, FL TE Matt Burke, IL DT Johnny Daniels, FL LB Garrett Hudson, OH LB Dezwan Polk, and OH OL Jason Tretter.

#11 Iowa - 19 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Jon Wisnieski TE IA 3 3 3 4
Nathan Bazata DT NE 3 3 3 3
LeShun Daniels RB OH 3 3 3 3
Colin Goebel OL IL 3 3 3 3
Brant Gressel DT OH 3 3 3 3
John Kenny LB IN 3 3 3 3
Desmond King CB MI 3 3 3 3
Derrick Mitchell Jr. S MO 3 3 3 3
Malik Rucker S MN 3 3 3 3
Nic Shimonek QB TX 3 3 3 3
Solomon Warfield S OH 3 3 3 3
Sean Welsh OL OH 3 3 3 3
Derrick Willies WR IL 3 3 3 3
Ike Boettger TE IA 3 3 3 2
Andre Harris ATH MO 3 2 3 3
Damond Powell (JC) WR UT 3 2 3 3
Anjeus Jones WR TX 2 2 3 NR
Josey Jewll LB IA 2 2 NR NR
Akrun Wadley RB NJ NR NR NR NR

The Hawkeyes land MI CB Desmond King, TX WR Anjeus Jones, IA LB Josey Jewell, and NJ RB Akrum Wadley.

#12 Penn State - 18 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Adam Breneman TE PA 4 5 4 4
Christian Hackenberg QB VA 4 4 5 4
Garrett Sickels DE NJ 4 4 4 4
Brendan Mahon OL NJ 4 3 3 4
Zayd Issah LB PA 3 4 3 3
Andrew Nelson OL PA 3 3 4 4
DaeSean Hamilton WR VA 3 3 3 4
Richy Anderson RB MD 3 3 3 3
Brandon Bell LB NJ 3 3 3 3
Curtis Cothran DE NJ 3 3 3 3
Parker Cothren DE AL 3 3 3 2
Neiko Robinson S FL 3 2 3 3
Tanner Hartman OL VA 2 3 3 2
Tyler Ferguson (JC) QB CA 2 2 4 3
Jonathan Walton LB AL 2 2 3 3
Jordan Smith CB DC 2 2 3 3
Kasey Gaines S GA 2 2 3 3
Anthony Smith CB PA 2 2 2 2

No new additions to Penn State's class.

#13 Indiana - 19 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Darius Latham DT IN 4 4 4 4
Antonio Allen S IN 4 4 3 4
David Kenney DE IN 4 4 3 4
Rashard Fant ATH GA 4 3 2 4
Danny Friend TE IL 3 3 3 3
Chase Dutra S IN 3 3 3 2
Isaac Griffith WR IN 3 3 3 3
Kristopher Smith LB GA 3 3 2 4
Clyde Newton LB FL 3 3 2 3
Noel Padmore CB GA 3 3 2 3
Evan Jansen TE OH 3 3 3 3
Patrick Dougherty DE OH 3 2 2 2
Marcus Oliver LB OH 3 2 NR 3
T.J. Simmons LB FL 3 NR 2 3
Anthony Young WR OH 2 3 3 3
Myles Graham RB FL 2 2 3 2
Steven Funderburk (JC) LB IA 2 2 3 2
Nigel Tribune CB FL 2 NR 2 3
Jordan Heiderman (JC) DT IA 2 2 2 2

The Hoosiers lose TX DT Jacobi Hunter and gain FL CB Nigel Tribune, who is somehow not a British reporter.

#14 Wisconsin - 16 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Corey Clement RB NJ 4 4 4 4
Chikwe Obasih DE WI 4 3 4 3
Keelon Brookins CB MN 4 3 3 3
Rob Wheelwright WR OH 3 4 3 3
Garret Dooley LB IL 3 3 3 4
Alec James DE WI 3 3 3 4
Jack Keeler OL IL 3 3 3 4
Sojourn Shelton CB FL 3 3 3 4
Marcus Ball ATH OH 3 3 3 3
Matt Miller OL OH 3 3 3 3
T.J. Watt ATH WI 3 3 3 3
Jazz Peavy WR WI 3 3 2 3
Sam Raridon DT IA 2 3 2 3
Matt Hubley S WI 2 3 2 2
Jakarrie Washington CB MA 2 3 2 2
Leon Jacobs LB CA 2 2 2 3

The Badgers lose CA S Tyler Foreman and pick up MA CB Jakarrie Washington and CA LB Leon Jacobs.

#15 Minnesota - 14 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Berkley Edwards RB MI 3 3 3 3
De'Niro Laster WR OH 3 3 3 3
Alex Mayes OL TX 3 3 3 3
Owen Salzwedel DE WI 3 3 3 3
Drew Wolitarsky WR CA 3 3 3 3
Nate Wozniak TE IN 3 3 3 3
Demaris Peppers DT TN 3 2 3 3
Rayfield Dixon LB FL 3 2 3 3
Chris Streveler QB IL 3 2 3 3
Hendrick Ekpe DE TX 3 2 3 2
Eric Carter WR FL 3 2 2 3
Jordan Hinojosa (JC) DT KS 3 2 2 2
Chris Wipson LB MN 2 3 3 3
Jalen Myrick CB GA 2 2 3 3
Damien Wilson (JC) LB MS 2 2 3 3
Ryan Santoso K FL 2 2 2 3

The Gophers lose AL WR Nate Andrews and FL CB Nate Godwin and pick up CA WR Drew Wolitarsky, IN TE Nate Wozniak, FL LB Rayfield Dixon, and FL K Ryan Santoso

Comments

GOLBOGM

February 4th, 2013 at 7:40 PM ^

I was surprised as well.  Michigan has 9 Ohio players and 8 Michigan players which is also crazy.  Plus Ohio State has no Michiganders and 10 Ohioans- only 1 more than us.  For reference ND has 1 Michigan commit and 2 Ohio commits and MSU has the three MI u referenced and 5 Ohio kids.  Yes Meyer is taking top talent across the country in a way Tressel maybe didn't- but a lot of Ohio talent is ending up on rival teams.

Farstate

February 4th, 2013 at 7:12 PM ^

Can we drop the complaints about ND being listed in these posts? Every time someone complains and ND's presence has been explained enough times that people should stop complaining.

PlayByPlay

February 4th, 2013 at 9:17 PM ^

"We still play them"--Yes, we play them 2 more times. TWO. You know who else we have on the schedule two more times in the near future? Utah, so throw them up on the board.

"they're a major power in our recruiting base"--I'll give you this, but they are a much larger national draw, especially with their continued games in California. And let's just throw in the joke about major power here (har har har)

"good standard to measure up against"--So is Alabama, put them on the board. Texas? Sure. Florida? Add another. USC? Of course. LSU, Georgia, Oklahoma? Yes, Yes, and Yes.

While I understand the point you're making, it would be just as well to leave them off as it is to keep them on there.

EGD

February 4th, 2013 at 9:24 PM ^

Having ND on the board doesn't hurt anything, and is more information.  All things being equal, more information is better than less information.

You do make a good point, however--I think having regular updates on the recruiting classes of future Michigan opponents and national powerhouses like Alabama & USC would be a nice addition.  That might make for a good regular diary, if anyone has the time & inclination. 

GoWings2008

February 5th, 2013 at 9:19 AM ^

You do make SOME good points, individually...Yes, Alabama is a good standard, but they aren't on our future schedule and aren't necessarily in our recruiting base, and not as much for either of the others you mentioned.  ND is in all three categories...we are playing them, they are moreso in our recruiting base and they're a good standard. 

Again, this is well covered ground.  You're not going to come up with any revolutionary idea that will spontaneously change our minds.  Can we stop now?

coastal blue

February 4th, 2013 at 7:05 PM ^

Things that stand out: 

Notre Dame does not have a single player who someone doesn't rank a 4-star. 

Penn State managing to hold onto seven guys with at least one 4-star ranking, including two 5-stars, even though most of these guys will have one shot at winning a Big Ten Championship or playing in a bowl game and that's if they RS. (Seriously, to me that's a miracle...I mean what is the incentive? How can Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State not be plundering those guys?)

Indiana has five 4-star guys while Iowa has none. Odd. 

TheTruth41

February 4th, 2013 at 7:33 PM ^

Pretty sure this past season was Year 1 of the 4 year ban...So the incoming freshmen would have one chance if they don't redshirt since the ban will be in effect for their first 3 years on campus and if they do RS they'll have two chances...assuming they're asked back/don't turn pro.

SEAL Fan

February 4th, 2013 at 7:11 PM ^

It looks like Nebraska went on a mad dash to fill 12 spots since the start of the new year.  Are their commits quality players?  It looks like they took commitments from across the entire country.

EGD

February 4th, 2013 at 9:31 PM ^

I don't know anything about the specific guys Nebraska signed.  But if you are scrambling to pull a whole bunch of recruits at the 11th-hour, I'm thinking it's more likely those guys are mostly either projects or role-players rather than underrated gems.  I realize Nebraska has always done it without necessarily having the best talent; still, I'd be a bit nervous about this class if I was a Husker fan.

Asgardian

February 5th, 2013 at 9:50 AM ^

 

Points Rank Avg Rank School # Commits Avg Avg^ POINTS*
2 1 Notre Dame 23 3.87 89
3 2 Ohio State 23 3.77 86.75
1 3 Michigan 27 3.67 99
4 4 Nebraska 25 3.27 81.75
8 5 Michigan State 18 3.13 56.25
12 6 Penn State 17 3.12 53
14 7 Wisconsin 16 3.00 48
9 8 Northwestern 19 2.93 55.75
6 9 Rutgers 22 2.92 64.25
7 10 Maryland 20 2.90 58
11 11 Iowa 19 2.83 53.75
5 12 Illinois 26 2.80 72.75
10 13 Purdue 20 2.73 54.5
13 14 Indiana 19 2.72 51.75
15 15 Minnesota 16 2.72 43.5

Michigan Top 22 "Avg-Avg" = 3.86

OSU Top 22 "Avg-Avg" = 3.83

MichFan1997

February 5th, 2013 at 2:38 PM ^

Comes with its flaws too. Michigan has 4 more commits than notre dame. If you eliminate the 4 extra kids, all of whom are generic 3 star sorts, then suddenly the average increases. However, nobody would argue the class would be better off with nobody as opposed to the 4 extra kids.

BlueReign

February 4th, 2013 at 7:30 PM ^

How this for a head scratcher.

ESPN either has, or is tied for, the highest average rank for 11 of the 15 schools. It has the highest for every school in the top 10 except for us. and we are the only school of the 15 to have espn give the lowest score.

Interesting

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

February 4th, 2013 at 8:22 PM ^

recruits are battled between OSU-ND-UM with our deep focus on MI and OH while they hunt nationally.

OSU has only 2 OL (Hunt chose Oregon) and 1 RB (who might flip to Mizzou) with 23 recruits. Meanwhile MSU has only 3 MI kids. Peculiar.

GOLBOGM

February 4th, 2013 at 9:43 PM ^

The RB who might flip is Ezekiel Elliot- Missouri's top high school recruit.

His parents are both Mizzour grads- this article has a good write up: http://www.rockmnation.com/2013/1/24/3909670/ezekiel-elliott-to-visit-mizzou-this-weekend and this one also does http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/359342/6/Ezekiel-Elliott-has-a-big-decision-to-make, plus that one has this gem of a quote, "Elliot made his official visit to Mizzou this past weekend and accroding to his father, it couldn't have went better.  The highlight for Elliot was the M-I-Z, E-Z-E chant at the basketball game." One- the chant is very cool for a highschool kid to hear; two, seriously, couldn't have went any better?  It references a quote from the father but doesn't give the quote- so the poor grammar their is pretty weird...

One of my friend's coaches at a school who played John Burrough's- the private school outside of St. Louis where he plays- and I have seen him play also (this year and last)- he is a pretty impressive back.  Plus their coach is Gus Frerotte, who,  according to the coach I know, is a pretty cool guy also (cool story bro I know...)

It'd be nice if all the last minute recruting Meyer has done turns some guys away and doesn't catch anyone..  Let's hope Elliot goest to Mizzou!

The Wagon

February 4th, 2013 at 8:37 PM ^

Has such a weak class that it makes me wonder of bielema planned to leave all along and sort of mailed it in this recruiting year. For a rose bowl caliber team, that's an abysmal class.

The Wagon

February 4th, 2013 at 9:01 PM ^

That's surprising. I guess their low ranking is partly a function of this class rating system heavily rating quantity. For example, a class consisting of the top 10 players and those 10 only would be around 11th on this list. Not sure if that's fair or unfair, just an observation.

Blazefire

February 4th, 2013 at 10:46 PM ^

"Give us your low rated but massive, massive guys. We will rebuild them. Make them bigger, stronger, marginally faster."

Then you put a Ball or another excellent running back behind them and pick up a servicable graduate QB and you've got a recipe for 10 wins.

Blazefire

February 4th, 2013 at 11:03 PM ^

They had a nice little season this year. I really thought they'd reel in a better class. Only 9 guys before you hit 2-star land. Minny needs to pony up the dough for a high quality assistant staff that can recruit.

 

I know it's a small class (17), but I find it hard to believe that one of those 4 stars committed to Marshal or Tulsa or whatever wouldn't seriously consider Minny. As it is, it doesn't look like they have any other recruits interested in them any higher than the guys they've already got, and I don't think they have any more slots besides.

EGD

February 5th, 2013 at 1:39 AM ^

Alright.  I knew that was close to the line but I couldn't resist.  Mea culpa.

I'm actually a pretty big fan of Jerry Kill because I am from Saginaw and he used to be the coach at SVSU.  I wouldn't have cracked the joke if anything seriously bad had happened to the guy.  (And now I suppose I will be lectured on the perils of seizures by someone with a UM medical degree, which is what makes this blog so great...)

 

profitgoblue

February 5th, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^

Its great to see Michigan on top but its a little disappointing to see them getting beat in the averages by Ohio and ND.  Its not necessarily surprising considering those two teams went 12-0 and 12-1, respectively, but still a bit disappointing.

michgoblue

February 5th, 2013 at 10:57 AM ^

I had the same thought, but we are heading in the right direction.  Remember that coaches generally start recruiting kids and developing school pipelines before those kids are rising juniors.  Hoke, having only been at Michigan, had to come in and start from scratch. With the exception of a few kids that he may have spoken to while at SDSU, he was an unknown to many of these kids.  Also, for many of the kids in the 2013 class, the last time that Michigan was a real power was when they were in junior high school, if not before then.  Most recent memories of us involve inept defense, 2 coaching changes, a drawn out should-we-fire-richrod process, and a perception of an offense that primarily featured a single player to the detriment of  tight ends, fullbacks, receivers and running backs.

The past two years have helped Hoke change that perception, and I expect that it will change further next season, when Hoke runs an offense more in line with what he intends to run in the future with Devin under center.  Every year that goes by allows Hoke to further develop his pipeline and relationships with top kids, so I expect that we will even out with OSU shortly. 

That all said, Meyer is an amazing recruiter, helped by his recent national championships, ESPN gig and overall media star persona. 

profitgoblue

February 5th, 2013 at 11:05 AM ^

You make a very good point re: patience.  I think I (like many others?) just want the program to be "back" immediately after the past years of frustration.  But it doesn't work that way.  Hoke has obviously blown Dantonio out of the water, winning back the state, but it looks like he's going to have a little work to do to put Meyer and Kelly to rest.  That said, the class is definitely amazing and I'm excited to see them improve each year.

RakeFight

February 5th, 2013 at 10:46 AM ^

What stands out to me is how poor the recruiting is at the bottom of the Big Ten... especially when you compare it to the bottom of the PAC-12 (or whatever the hell they're called now) and the SEC.  I haven't really followed recruiting beyond Michigan before, so I don't know if it's always been that bad for the bottom half of the conference, but it definitely makes one worry about ever catching up to the stature of the SEC.

GunnersApe

February 5th, 2013 at 11:49 AM ^

 

1.

Michigan 27 Big Ten 5114 7 4 15 7 15 11 1 27 0 3.81
2. Ohio State 24 Big Ten 4819 7 3 16 5 9 14 1 23 1 3.92
10. Nebraska 25 Big Ten 3376 0 0 9 15 11 13 1 22 3 3.32
31. Illinois 26 Big Ten 2187 0 0 1 18 11 15 0 21 5 2.77
34. Wisconsin 20 Big Ten 2175 0 0 2 16 10 10 0 19 1 2.95
37. Michigan State 18 Big Ten 2073 0 0 4 11 7 10 1 18 0 3.06
38. Penn State 17 Big Ten 2060 2 2 2 8 8 9 0 16 1 3.06
41. Northwestern 19 Big Ten 2020 0 0 2 15 12 6 1 19 0 3.00
53. Iowa 20 Big Ten 1658 0 0 0 14 12 8 0 19 1 2.70
58. Indiana 19 Big Ten 1475 0 0 3 9 6 13 0 17 2 2.68
63. Purdue 22 Big Ten 1443 0 0 1 10 11 11 0 22 0 2.41
82. Minnesota 17 Big Ten 973 0 0 0 7 7 9 1 15 2 2.41

SEC

 

4. Texas A&M 32 SEC 4466 4 1 16 15 15 17 0 29 3 3.56
5. LSU 26 SEC 4296 4 1 16 9 11 15 0 24 2 3.69
7. Florida 25 SEC 4146 3 1 14 10 12 13 0 23 2 3.64
8. Alabama 22 SEC 4137 11 5 10 6 13 8 1 21 1 3.86
9. Georgia 30 SEC 4023 3 0 13 16 12 18 0 26 4 3.40
12. Mississippi 21 SEC 3071 2 1 8 12 15 6 0 19 2 3.48
20. Vanderbilt 25 SEC 2580 0 0 3 18 12 12 1 24 1 2.96
21. Auburn 20 SEC 2571 1 0 7 11 9 9 2 14 6 3.25
22. Mississippi State 22 SEC 2570 1 1 4 15 13 9 0 20 2 3.18
26. South Carolina 21 SEC 2441 0 0 4 16 9 12 0 19 2 3.14
32. Missouri 19 SEC 2186 0 0 4 12 8 11 0 19 0 3.05
42. Tennessee 20 SEC 2007 0 0 3 12 13 7 0 18 2 2.90
46. Arkansas 21 SEC 1919 1 1 2 12 9 11 1 15 6 2.90
48. Kentucky 20 SEC 1792 0 0 2 13 11 8 1 16 4 2.85

 

 PAC

 

6. UCLA 23 Pac-12 4218 5 1 15 7 12 10 1 23 0 3.74
11. Washington 22 Pac-12 3189 3 0 9 11 9 12 1 22 0 3.32
13. USC 12 Pac-12 2997 8 5 7 0 6 6 0 12 0 4.42
18. Oregon 17 Pac-12 2595 2 1 6 9 12 4 1 16 1 3.41
24. Arizona 27 Pac-12 2521 0 0 3 20 14 13 0 22 5 2.96
25. California 27 Pac-12 2507 0 0 2 19 12 14 1 23 4 2.85
27. Arizona State 26 Pac-12 2426 0 0 2 22 11 14 1 17 9 3.00
36. Oregon State 25 Pac-12 2102 0 0 1 17 9 16 0 20 5 2.76
39. Washington State 25 Pac-12 2051 0 0 1 17 13 12 0 21 4 2.76
40. Utah 28 Pac-12 2043 0 0 0 18 15 12 1 21 7 2.64
55. Stanford 12 Pac-12 1586 0 0 3 8 8 4 0 12 0 3.17
72. Colorado 17 Pac-12 1205 0 0 0 8 12 5 0 17 0 2.47

BIGXII

 

14. Oklahoma 23 Big 12 2966 1 1 6 14 9 13 1 19 4 3.26
15. Oklahoma State 23 Big 12 2658 0 0 5 15 11 11 1 21 2 3.09
23. Texas 15 Big 12 2565 3 1 9 4 9 6 0 13 2 3.67
33. Baylor 22 Big 12 2181 1 1 2 14 8 13 1 19 3 2.91
35. West Virginia 24 Big 12 2172 0 0 2 16 13 10 1 17 7 2.75
45. TCU 21 Big 12 1931 0 0 1 17 12 9 0 20 1 2.86
51. Kansas 25 Big 12 1670 0 0 2 11 9 14 2 9 16 2.60
60. Kansas State 19 Big 12 1451 0 0 1 10 5 13 1 12 7 2.63
64. Texas Tech 21 Big 12 1406 0 0 1 8 12 9 0 16 5 2.43
69. Iowa State 22 Big 12 1331 0 0 1 8 14 8 0 19 3 2.32