Big Ten Recruiting Rankings: 6-24-12

Submitted by Ace on

I have returned from vacation and, naturally, there's a lot of catching up to do. Michigan added a camp commit in Channing Stribling while every Big Ten school picked up at least one pledge over the past two weeks. Yes, even Indiana, which is now officially on the board. Changes since the last rankings:

6-11-12: Nebraska picks up Kevin Gladney. Northwestern picks up Sam Coverdale. Indiana picks up Isaac Griffith.
6-12-12: Caleb Benenoch decommits from Michigan State.
6-14-12: Penn State picks up Brandon Bell.
6-15-12: Iowa picks up Malik Rucker.
6-16-12: Nebraska picks up Nathan Gerry.
6-17-12: Nebraska picks up Gabriel Miller. Wisconsin picks up Hayden Biegel and Jazz Peavy.
6-18-12: Minnesota picks up Alex Mayes.
6-19-12: Ohio State picks up Johnny Townsend. Northwestern picks up Eric Joraskie.
6-20-12: Michigan picks up Channing Stribling. Michigan State picks up Darian Hicks. Nothwestern picks up Xavier Menifield.
6-21-12: Illinois picks up Caleb Day. Iowa picks up Derrick Mitchell Jr. Minnesota picks up Owen Salzwedel.
6-22-12: Illinois picks up Bryce Douglas. Iowa picks up Sean Welsh and Andre Harris. Northwestern picks up Hunter Niswander. Minnesota picks up Chris Streveler.
6-23-12: Illinois picks up Darius Mosely.

Chart? Chart:

Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings
Rank School # Commits Rivals Avg Scout Avg 24/7 Avg ESPN Avg Avg Avg^
1 Michigan 22 3.55 3.82 3.73 3.64 3.68
2 Notre Dame 14 3.64 3.93 3.79 3.86 3.80
3 Ohio State 12 3.83 3.83 3.66 3.75 3.77
4 Penn State 11 3.55 3.45 3.45 3.64 3.52
5 Nebraska 11 3.18 3.18 3.18 3.18 3.18
6 Illinois 13 2.92 2.85 2.77 3.08 2.90
7 Iowa 12 3.00 2.83 2.92 3.00 2.94
8 Michigan State 7 3.29 3.29 3.29 3.57 3.36
9 Wisconsin 8 3.13 3.00 3.13 3.00 3.06
10 Northwestern 9 2.78 2.67 2.67 2.67 2.69
11 Minnesota 4 2.50 2.75 2.75 2.50 2.63
12 Purdue 3 3.33 2.67 3.00 2.33 2.83
13 Indiana 1 3.00 2.00 3.00 3.00 2.67

^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.

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

On to the full data after the jump.

 

#1 Michigan - 22 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Patrick Kugler OL PA 4 5 4 4
Shane Morris QB MI 4 5 4 4
Dymonte Thomas S OH 4 5 4 4
Kyle Bosch OL IL 4 4 4 4
Jake Butt TE OH 4 4 4 4
David Dawson OL MI 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
Wyatt Shallman ATH MI 4 4 4 3
Taco Charlton DE OH 4 3 4 4
Gareon Conley CB OH 3 4 4 4
DeVeon Smith RB OH 3 4 4 4
Maurice Hurst Jr. DT MA 3 4 4 3
Jaron Dukes WR OH 3 4 3 4
Khalid Hill TE MI 3 3 3 3
Csont'e York WR MI 3 3 3 3
Channing Stribling CB NC 2 2 3 NR
Scott Sypniewski LS IL 2 2 2 NR

The Wolverines add to their burgeoning sleeper collection with camp commit Channing Stribling. Scott Sypniewski picks up two stars from Rivals, Scout, and 247.

#2 Notre Dame - 14 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Jaylon Smith LB IN 5 5 5 4
Hunter Bivin OL KY 4 4 4 4
Steven Elmer OL MI 4 4 4 4
Mike Heuerman TE FL 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 3 4
Colin McGovern OL IL 3 4 4 4
Jacob Matuska DE OH 3 4 4 3
James Onwualu WR MN 3 4 3 4
Corey Robinson WR TX 3 4 3 3
Devin Butler CB DC 3 3 3 4
Rashad Kinlaw ATH NJ 3 3 4 4

No changes for the Irish.

#3 Ohio State - 12 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Cameron Burrows CB OH 5 4 4 4
Jalin Marshall ATH OH 4 5 5 4
Joey Bosa DE FL 4 5 4 4
J.T. Barrett QB TX 4 4 4 4
Marcus Baugh TE CA 4 4 4 4
Evan Lisle OL OH 4 4 4 4
Billy Price DT OH 4 4 4 4
Eli Woodard CB NJ 4 4 4 4
Ezekiel Elliott RB MO 4 4 3 4
Jayme Thompson S OH 4 3 3 4
Tracy Sprinkle DE OH 3 3 3 3
Johnny Townsend P FL NR NR NR NR

The Buckeyes are the latest program to bolster their kicking game, grabbing Florida punter Johnny Townsend.

#4 Penn State - 11 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Adam Breneman TE PA 4 5 4 4
Christian Hackenberg QB VA 4 4 4 4
Greg Webb DT NJ 4 4 4 4
Garrett Sickels DE NJ 4 4 4 4
Ross Douglas CB OH 4 3 4 4
Brendan Mahon OL NJ 4 3 3 4
William Fuller WR PA 3 4 3 3
Andrew Nelson OL PA 3 3 3 4
Brandon Bell LB NJ 3 3 3 3
Curtis Cothran DE NJ 3 3 3 3
Neiko Robinson S FL 3 2 3 3

The Nittany Lions gain the commitment of linebacker Brandon Bell, their fifth pledge from New Jersey. Neiko Robinson gets two stars from Scout and three from ESPN, while William Fuller also gets upgraded to three stars on ESPN.

#5 Nebraska - 11 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Marcus McWilson S OH 4 4 4 3
Josh Banderas LB NE 4 3 4 4
Tre'vell Dixon ATH LA 4 3 3 4
Christian Lacouture DE TX 3 4 3 3
A.J. Natter DE WI 3 4 3 3
Courtney Love LB OH 3 3 4 4
Nathan Gerry S SD 3 3 3 3
Kevin Gladney WR OH 3 3 3 3
Greg Hart TE OH 3 3 3 3
Dan Samuelson OL IN 3 3 3 3
Gabriel Miller LS IN 2 2 2 NR

The Cornhuskers add S/ATH Nathan Gerry, WR Kevin Gladney, and LS (yes, another long snapper) Gabriel Miller to the fold.

#6 Illinois - 13 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
Darius Mosely CB IL 3 3 3 4
Jarrod Clements DE OH 3 3 3 3
Reon Dawson CB OH 3 3 3 3
Christian DiLauro TE OH 3 3 3 3
Kenton Gibbs DT MI 3 3 3 3
Merrick Jackson DT IL 3 3 3 3
Dillan Cazley CB IL 3 3 2 3
Kendrick Foster RB IL 3 2 2 3
Jesse Chadwell OL MI 2 3 3 3
Austin Schmidt OL OH 2 2 2 3
Bryce Douglas DT IL NR NR NR NR

The Illini secure three commitments—OH CB Caleb Day, IL CB Darius Mosely, and IL DT Bryce Douglas—in three days, which is enough to vault them past Michigan State for sixth place in the standings.

#7 Iowa - 12 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
David Kenney DE IN 4 4 3 4
Colin Goebel OL IL 3 3 3 3
Delano Hill S MI 3 3 3 3
Brant Gressel DT OH 3 3 3 3
John Kenny LB IN 3 3 3 3
Derrick Mitchell Jr. S MO 3 3 3 3
Malik Rucker S MN 3 3 3 3
Sean Welsh OL OH 3 3 3 3
Derrick Willies WR IL 3 3 3 3
Nathan Bazata DT NE 3 2 3 3
Nic Shimonek QB TX 3 2 3 3
Andre Harris ATH MO NR NR NR NR

The Hawkeyes also pass Michigan State after picking up four commits: Malik Rucker, Derrick Mitchell Jr., Sean Welsh, and Andre Harris.

#8 Michigan State - 7 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Jon Reschke LB MI 4 4 4 4
Shane Jones LB OH 4 3 3 4
Damion Terry QB PA 3 4 3 4
Darian Hicks CB OH 3 3 4 3
Jalyn Powell S OH 3 3 3 4
Gerald Holmes RB MI 3 3 3 3
R.J. Shelton RB WI 3 3 3 3

The Spartans lose the commitment of Texas lineman Caleb Benenoch—not a big surprise considering the course of his recruitment—but pick up Ohio corner Darian Hicks.

#9 Wisconsin - 8 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Chikwe Obasih DE WI 4 3 4 3
Rob Wheelwright WR OH 3 4 3 3
Austin Ramesh ATH WI 3 3 4 3
Garret Dooley LB IL 3 3 3 4
Jack Keeler OL IL 3 3 3 4
Hayden Biegel OL WI 3 3 3 3
T.J. Watt ATH WI 3 3 3 NR
Jazz Peavy WR WI 3 2 2 NR

The Badgers pick up two in-state commits in OL Hayden Biegel and WR Jazz Peavy. T.J. Watt gets three stars from 247.

#10 Northwestern - 9 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Matt Alviti QB IL 4 4 4 4
Sam Coverdale OL OH 3 3 3 3
Blake King OL IL 3 3 3 3
Brad North OL TX 3 3 3 3
Eric Joraskie DE PA 3 3 2 3
Macan Wilson WR TX 3 2 NR NR
Tyler Lancaster OL IL NR 2 3 NR
Xavier Menifield RB CA NR 2 NR NR
Hunter Miswander K OH NR NR NR NR

The Wildcats add four commits—OH OL Sam Coverdale, PA DE Eric Joraskie, CA RB Xavier Menifield, and OH K Hunter Miswander—and Tyler Lancaster picks up two stars from Scout and three from 247.

#11 Minnesota - 4 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Keelon Brookins CB MN 3 3 3 3
Alex Mayes OL TX 3 3 3 3
Owen Salzwedel DE WI NR 3 3 NR
Chris Streveler QB IL NR 2 NR NR

The Gophers add three commits: TX OL Alex Mayes, WI DE Owen Salzwedel, and IL QB Chris Streveler. They pass Purdue for 11th place.

#12 Purdue - 3 Commits
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Danny Etling QB IN 4 3 3 3
Randy Gregory DE AZ 3 3 3 JC
David Yancey RB IN 3 2 3 NR

The Boilermakers get a commitment from in-state running back David Yancey.

#13 Indiana - 1 Commit
Name Position State Rivals Scout 24/7 ESPN
Isaac Griffith WR IN 3 2 3 3

THE HOOSIERS LAND A COMMIT! For this, we shall celebrate, since I'm pretty sure there aren't any Indiana football fans to do so for themselves.

Congratulations, Indiana. At this pace you should be able to field an actual team in 2044 or so.

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Comments

NoMoPincherBug

June 24th, 2012 at 1:58 PM ^

IU is the sleeping giant of BT football teams.  It is astounding that they have never really been competitive at football and now can recruit barely on a MAC level.  Its a school with a lot of resources and a beautiful campus.  They should be more competitive than what they are on the gridion.  Its a joke.

Joined: 04/08/2011

MGoPoints: 1834

PeteM

June 24th, 2012 at 10:12 PM ^

I haven't been to Bloomington, but have heard great things about the campus.  Here's what I would guess their disadvantages are:

1.  Indiana is not exactly Ohio or Pennsylvania for producing football talent according to this chart (though they produce more recruits than some other B10 states)

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1182411

2. Indiana is and always will be viewed as a basketball first school.  Duke, Kentucky and Kansas aren't football powers either.

3. They have the unique disadvantage of having another B10 school in state plus Notre Dame.  I wonder how many states the size of Indiana have 3 schools competing at that level.  I realize that Notre Dame takes very few kids from Indiana, but I suspect that they are in on any recruits that they are interested in.

These aren't necessarily fatal -- Bill Mallory got them to several bowl games in the late 80s early 90s -- but it does mean that they need have a lot of inherent obstacles. 

Joined: 09/15/2008

MGoPoints: 3446

hart20

June 24th, 2012 at 1:59 PM ^

To the chart as well? I think it would give a better representation of some classes (read Michigan's) that are negatively skewed because of atypical scores.

Joined: 05/25/2011

MGoPoints: 5692

jshclhn

June 24th, 2012 at 3:46 PM ^

I would like to see the median as well.  It's not exactly time-wasting per se - it's an excel formula that takes maybe two minutes to copy and paste to the 12 teams in the rankings?

Then again, I'm a financial analyst - I live for data. Must . . . . have . . . . .input . . . . input!

Joined: 09/12/2010

MGoPoints: 574

hart20

June 24th, 2012 at 4:27 PM ^

I don't feel that those 2 stars hurt our average, I know that they do. I also don't think a median of 4 looks better, I know it does. Adding the median would also help to give a better idea of what teams are recruiting at the same level I.e. Michigan, ND, and Ohio would have a median of 4 and the other teams would likely have a 3. It's a holistic way to compare classes. Wasting his time? It would literally take 10 seconds to calculate the median for each team. It takes no more than typing an Excel formula and selecting the data. I'd actually propose that Ace include the mode as well. It'd be another measure of central tendency that I think would be useful to see.

Joined: 05/25/2011

MGoPoints: 5692

hart20

June 24th, 2012 at 5:06 PM ^

More accurate judgments can be passed. If we use your logic, then why can't Ace just give the raw data and then we can just count up the stars and divide it by n number of recruits ourselves? I mean we could save him all that time and he wouldn't have to worry about it. In fact, why doesn't he just not post these at all? According to you, these rankings and averages don't matter, so let's just forget about them! Who cares that there's a significant correlation between highly ranked recruiting classes and success on the field? According to you, it doesn't matter!

Joined: 05/25/2011

MGoPoints: 5692

robbyt003

June 24th, 2012 at 5:26 PM ^

I'm just really happy for you that you're so passionate about medians!  What I am saying is that we value the averages and stars over our success in fulfilling needs.  The coaching staff felt like a long snapper was a need so they picked one up.  Yes, a 2 star long snapper is going to kill our average.  Does adding additional stat categories that will make our numbers look better, make you feel better about this class?

Joined: 10/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11828

hart20

June 24th, 2012 at 9:01 PM ^

About the merits of various measurements of central tendency with someone who's knowledge of the concept is no greater than a grade schooler's. It's not about making the numbers look better, it's about giving a more accurate representation of the makeup of the class.

Joined: 05/25/2011

MGoPoints: 5692

robbyt003

June 25th, 2012 at 8:11 AM ^

A median DOES NOT let you know who has a better class at all.  Every team in the BIG 10 will have a 3 or a 4, so what does that tell us?  Your attempts at insults and reasoning are that of a grade schoolers.  So stop being a snob and requesting additional statistical categories that will show Michigan with the highest score, just because it helps you sleep at night.  

Joined: 10/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11828

M-Dog

June 25th, 2012 at 2:42 PM ^

We should probably relax a little bit.  We have 22 recruits, nearly a full class.  When the other schools fill out their classes, they will be adding a bunch of 3 and 2 stars like we did.  

That will bring their averages closer to ours.  It's not like they will be filling out the rest of their classes with 4 and 5 stars.  

They can't, we took them all.

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 256963

MosherJordan

June 24th, 2012 at 2:38 PM ^

First, Michigan has 16 committs that are 4 stars to at least 3 of 4 services, which is 7 more than Ohio or ND who both have 9 that rank as such. That's mind blowing, and puts in perspecitve taking the commitments of guys like Stribling (who will be a consensus 3 star by NSD) and Spyniewski. Even the vaunted Alabama takes a few consensus 3 stars every year, and let's not forget that guys like Hart and Breaston were 3 stars.

We will have a top 3 class by year end, wether we land Treadwell or other elite guys or not. Given what Hoke, and company seem to be able to do coaching up talent, that should fill the Michigan faithful with great hope for what the future holds. If we eternally miss out on the lingering elite one or two guys to fill out a class because the coaches are busy laying the groundwork with a dozen or more consensus 4 stars for next year's class, I'll take it. 

Joined: 01/10/2011

MGoPoints: 529

turtleboy

June 24th, 2012 at 2:53 PM ^

We may not get the #1 overall class on 247 now unless they reevaluate and some of our player averages go up. 247 now lists Alabama as the #1 class while ESPN lists them as 3rd, scout lists them as 5th, and rivals lists them as 2nd. None of the top players we are in with on 247 list are rated higher than any of our current top 5 commits, I believe, while other services list our "nsd" prospects as our top prospects or at least our second best. Does anyone know how 247 typically rates and reevaluates players?

Joined: 04/22/2011

MGoPoints: 35131

turd ferguson

June 24th, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^

Getting the #1 overall class doesn't matter.  Getting elite talent matters - and making sure that the talent fits your roster and schemes matters - but I think people get too worked up about these poorly constructed class rankings. 

If we continue recruiting classes like this one, we're unlikely to encounter an opponent with vastly better talent.  There will be a lot of teams with similar talent (e.g., OSU) such that execution, game planning, luck, etc. will likely make the difference, and then there will be a lot of teams against which we'll have a real talent advantage that they'll have to overcome (e.g., MSU).

(Note that I'm not saying that star ratings are silly and we should blindly trust the coaches.)

Joined: 12/09/2009

MGoPoints: 26493