National Signing Day 2012: Power Ranking the Big Ten Recruiting Classes

The Big Ten did not fare well on the 2012 recruiting trail as a whole.

Ohio State and Michigan headline the conference's recruiting hauls. Both earned top five classes and are set for the next few seasons on both sides of the ball.

Penn State fared as expected. Multiple defections and an uncertain atmosphere hampered the Nittany Lions' ability to grab marquee commitments.

The Big Ten is a major conference in college football, but they did not recruit like a major conference. Hopefully that changes for their sake in the coming future.

Here is how the Big Ten recruiting classes break down:

12. Minnesota

Scout.com rankings

3-star: 10

2-star: 18

Total: 28

Highlights from the Golden Gophers' recruiting class are hard to come by. Minnesota's 28 commitments are high in quantity but not in quality.

Players who could offer immediate help are 3-star offensive tackle Jonah Pirsig and 3-star middle linebacker Brian Nicholson.

This recruiting class does not lend much optimism to the future of Minnesota football.

11. Illinois

Scout.com rankings

3-star: 12

2-star: Six

Total: 18

Tim Beckman's first recruiting class with Illinois is not studded with much talent. The Illini only have 18 commitments, and none are ready to contribute immediately.

Illinois did not have a great year in 2011, and the foreseeable future does not look bright with this class.

Three-star kicker Ryan Frain and 3-star linebacker T.J. Neal are the de facto headliners of this group of young players.

10. Indiana

Scout.com rankings

3-star: 15

2-star: 10

Total: 25

Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson would love to run his normally-exciting offense with the Hoosiers. However, talent is needed to do that.

The Hoosiers struggled in 2011, and this recruiting class offers a few bleak chances at improvement next season.

Three-star center Wes Rogers is a quality blocker, and 3-star middle linebacker Jordan Wallace could develop into a leader on the defensive side of the ball.

Other than that, still no quarterback. No, not even Gunner Kiel.

9. Wisconsin

Scout.com rankings

4-star: Five

3-star: Four

2-star: Three

Total: 12

Wisconsin did a solid job of adding to their talented team for next season. The Badgers' 2012 recruiting class has multiple players who could contribute fairly soon.

Four-star quarterback Bart Houston is a very capable passer from prominent De La Salle high school. He could get a look behind center early on if no one fills Russell Wilson's shoes.

Four-star guard Dan Voltz should continue the tradition of great Wisconsin offensive linemen.

D.J. Singleton has the talent and size to play right away in the Wisconsin secondary. The 4-star safety is solid in pass coverage and run support.

8. Northwestern

Scout.com rankings

4-star: Two

3-star: 12

2-star: Seven

Total: 21

Northwestern is not a traditional recruiting powerhouse. That fact has not changed, but head coach Pat Fitzgerald grabbed two solid players in this year's class.

Ifeadi Odenigbo is the No. 5 outside linebacker in the nation. The 4-star prospect covers a ton of ground and packs a punch in run support. He should lead the Wildcat defense during his college career.

Adam DePietro is a 4-star offensive guard. He has the potential to see the field early on, and is a solid two-way blocker.

7. Purdue

Scout.com rankings

4-star: One

3-star: 13

2-star: 10

Total: 24

Danny Hope managed to grab one player of note in his 2012 recruiting class.

Four-star guard Ryan Watson has had the talent to play from day one for Purdue. He must get stronger, but he understands how to block and is fundamentally sound.

Outside of Watson lies a giant murky area for the Boilermakers. Ryan Morris is a big target at tight end, but needs to work on his blocking before he can play regularly.

Paul Griggs is a touted kicker, and could get a look early in his Purdue career.

6. Nebraska

Scout.com rankings

4-star: Three

3-star: 10

2-star: Three

Total: 16

Nebraska does not have many commitments, but they are lucky to have three quality players arriving on campus next season.

Their offense will receive a boost from 4-star wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp, 4-star quarterback Tommy Armstrong and 4-star offensive tackle Paul Thurston.

Westerkamp is a solid possession option, and could find work early on in the slot.

Armstrong is built to run the spread attack. He is a solid dual-threat option, and should fill Taylor Martinez's shoes eventually.

5. Penn State

Scout.com rankings

4-star: One

3-star: 16

2-star: Two

Total: 19

Penn State fans did not expect a big recruiting class following the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal. The end result was as expected and the Nittany Lions struggled on the 2012 recruiting trail.

The Nittany Lion's lone 4-star recruit is Eugene Lewis. He is a playmaker on the outside, and could see time as Penn State's No. 2 wide receiver rather early on in Happy Valley.

Three-star tight end Brent Wilkerson and 3-star defensive tackle Jamil Pollard could also contribute.

This was a year to forget for a Penn State team riddled by defections.

4. Iowa

Scout.com rankings

4-star: Three

3-star: 12

2-star: Nine

Total: 24

Kirk Ferentz is very good at recruiting under-the-radar players to fit his system. This year he did that, but he also added a bit of talent.

Greg Garmon is a 4-star running back with bruising power between the tackles. Expect to see him on the field right away for the Hawkeyes.

Four-star defensive tackles Faith Ekakitie and Jaleel Johnson will continue Iowa's tradition of producing NFL-caliber defensive linemen.

Look for both to make waves in Iowa's spring practice.

3. Michigan State

Scout.com rankings

4-star: Four

3-star: 13

2-star: One

Total: 18

Mark D'Antonio has put talent on Michigan State's team during his tenure as head coach. This year is no different.

The Spartans grabbed two 4-star wide receivers who could contribute immediately. Aaron Burbridge has great hands, but his small stature could force him to work over the middle. Monty Madaris is a lanky target. He could create mismatches on the outside.

Four-star safety recruit Demetrious Cox and 4-star outside linebacker Jamal Lyles will compete for playing time right away. Cox is a big hitter in run support, and Lyles brings great speed to the Spartans' front seven.

2. Michigan

Scout.com rankings

5-star: One

4-star: 14

3-star: 10

Total: 25

Finally, a 5-star recruit has been spotted in the Big Ten.

Brady Hoke locked down 5-star offensive lineman Kyle Kalis. Kalis has a college-ready frame, and will compete for playing time with the Wolverines right away.

He is joined by 4-star lineman Erik Magnuson. Together, Kalis and Magnuson will pave the way for quality Michigan offenses.

The Wolverines also added 4-star defensive linemen—Chris Wormley, Mario Ojemudia, Ondre Pipkins and Tom Strobel will provide excellent depth this season. All four could be major players for Michigan down the road.

Royce Jenkins-Stone, Joe Bolden and James Ross are all 4-star linebackers with major potential. They will allow the Wolverines to reload on defense for the next few seasons.

Four-star tight end Devin Funchess and 4-star running back Dennis Norfleet will both take time to develop, but are both very skilled. Norfleet will excel in Brady Hoke's pro-style offense.

1. Ohio State

Scout.com rankings

5-star: Four

4-star: 11

3-star: 10

Total: 25

Urban Meyer wasted no time adding talent to Ohio State's team. Meyer added several premier recruits in a very deep Buckeye class.

The Buckeye defensive line is in great shape for the next few years. Five-star defensive ends Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington are terrors off the edge and will accumulate many sacks over their careers.

Five-star defensive tackle Tommy Schutt will help provide a push in the middle. He is an ex-Penn State commitment and was Illinois' Mr. Football this past season.

Braxton Miller will get some help in the Buckeye backfield with the arrival of 5-star running back Bri'onte Dunn. Dunn is a bruising back. He runs downhill, and punishes opposing tacklers.

The Buckeye defense also received boosts at linebacker and in the secondary.

Four-star linebackers Camren Williams, David Perkins and Joshua Perry are all very talented but need seasoning. Armani Reeves and Najee Murray could see time in the Buckeye secondary fairly early in their careers.

Meyer also added 4-star prospects on the offensive line. This will make things much easier for his young team moving forward.

Honestly, everyone saw this coming. Meyer is a masterful recruiter because of his tremendous appeal, and tireless work ethic.