College Football Recruiting 2013: The Top Remaining Target for Each Big Ten Team
Now we get to the Big Ten in our top target series. Recruiting in this conference has always been interesting as clearly Michigan and Ohio State are the pillar programs, but Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State are nothing to sneeze at by any means.
Upon doing my research for this story, I found it interesting that several top targets were not actually from the typical conference region. So that shows that the Big Ten is really spreading its wings on the trail, and recruiting will only get more competitive from it.
Here is the top recruiting target for each Big Ten school.
Illinois
1 of 12Top Target: Corey Cooper, WR
Cooper is a 6'1", 190-pound WR from Raleigh, North Carolina that always finds a way to come down with the ball.
He has average speed and quickness, but runs solid routes, sells corners well and snatches everything outside his frame.
Indiana
2 of 12Top Target: Elijah Daniel, DE
Daniel is a player with a big time ceiling, as he goes 6'3", 252 pounds and is pretty raw. He can play the 4-3 DE role, rush end in a 3-4 defense or perhaps grow into a DT.
Daniel is a solid athlete, has good snap quickness and chase speed in pursuit. He'll soar in college with good coaching.
Iowa
3 of 12Top Target: Jeremiah Gaines, TE
Gaine sis listed as TE, but don't be shocked to see him wind up as a LB, DE or even FB. He goes 6'2", 235-pounds and is just a solid football player.
He has good strength, better quickness than speed and will find a way to make himself into a steady college player.
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Michigan
4 of 12Top Target: Kendall Fuller, CB
Boy oh boy is Fuller going to be good. This guy can play with the best of them, and that is even though he is a bit raw.
From the Maryland-area, Fuller is a 6'0", 185-pound man-corner with supreme athleticism, quick feet, agility and natural cover skills. Michigan will have competition for him, but look for Big Blue to stay on him.
Michigan State
5 of 12Top Target: Darian Hicks, CB
Hicks reminds me a bit of Terry Richardson, as both are a bit on the skinny side but have good athleticism and speed.
From Ohio, Hicks goes 5'10", 170 pounds and will stick on any WR he's assigned to and not back down.
Minnesota
6 of 12Top Target: Hendrick Ekpe, DE
From Texas, Ekpe is a 6'4", 235-pound DE prospect with excellent length. He can stay free from blocks during his rush and get around mass to finish on the passer.
His technique could need seasoned, but once he adds to his pass rush plan, Ekpe could grow into a great college DE.
Nebraska
7 of 12Top Target: Joe Mathis, DE
Nebraska is dipping into California and Mathis is one of the top players in the state. He goes in the 6'4", 260-pound range on the hoof and plays tough.
He's a very good athlete, can fly off the ball, jump on top of a blocker at the point of attack, free-up and get around the edge with a burst on the QB.
Northwestern
8 of 12Top Target: Tyler Tezeno, OL
Tezeno, from Texas, has the traits of a great OC, as he's a former wrestler. I like wrestlers as football players because they seem to really understand how to play with good leverage and great balance.
Tezeno is a good athlete and really works his way into the body of a target. I like him as a pivot player at 6'3", 285 pounds.
Ohio State
9 of 12Top Target: Jaylon Smith, OLB
Smith is top OLB prospect in the country and will be a 3-down 'backer in college. He stands 6'3", 225 pounds and is from Indiana.
Smith works well in space and is a natural at covering RBs and TEs. He'll fill up vs. the run and can play with good range.
Penn State
10 of 12Top Target: Robert Foster, WR
I could have gone with OT Dorian Johnson, but I think Foster is the better player and higher priority. A 6'2", 190-pound WR, Foster is dynamic and explosive.
He's quick off the line, separates easily and can get behind a secondary. Foster also is great with the ball as a RAC player too.
Purdue
11 of 12Top Target: Anthony Walker, OLB/S
Walker is a 6'1", 210-pounder that plays best when in pursuit. He can fit as a classic chase Will-LB or kick back to SS.
His speed and ability to beat blockers to marks in traffic are his best assets and what will make him a prime time defender in college.
Wisconsin
12 of 12Top Target: David Williams, RB
Williams is a do-it-all RB prospect from Pennsylvania that stands 6'1", and 190 pounds on the hoof.
He has a long frame for a back, but plays with good speed, some quickness in space and can factor as a receiver out of the backfield.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
