Ranking Big Ten Recruiting Classes Post 5-Star Raekwon McMillan to Ohio State
Raekwon McMillan unveiled his collegiate intentions Monday, committing to Ohio State on NBC Sports Network. The nation's No. 1 inside linebacker gives the Buckeyes another top-tier prospect in a stout recruiting class.
His decision closes the chapter on one of the nation's most compelling recruitments of the 2014 recruiting cycle. With McMillan bound for Columbus, it's an excellent time to reassess how Big Ten Conference teams stack up in terms of landing prospects from across the country.
We rank the 12 programs based on volume and quality of incoming talent. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.
12. Indiana Hoosiers
1 of 12
Total Commitments: 14 (no 4-stars)
Best of the Bunch
Hoosiers have built a quality defensive class, highlighted by a front-seven trio from Ohio. Defensive end Nick Carovillano (Cincinnati), defensive tackle Michael Barwick (Cincinnati) and linebacker Airius Moore (Dayton) each have potential to play early at Indiana. Devine Redding, another Ohio product, is a powerful running back prospect.
Still Targeting
Indiana is in the mix for Cincinnati linebacker Tegray Scales. The Hoosiers hope to improve the defensive secondary with more talent, targeting 3-star cornerbacks Craig James (Edwardsville, Ill.) and Tony Fields (Tallahassee, Fla.).
11. Illinois Fighting Illini
2 of 12
Total Commitments: 15 (no 4-stars)
Best of the Bunch
Illinois commit Tyrin Stone-Davis (Los Angeles Pierce College) ranks among the top JUCO wide receiver prospects in the country. He'll look to team up with incoming quarterback Chayce Crouch, an impressive passer from Newark, Ohio. Receivers Geronimo Allison (Iowa Western Community College) and Mike Dudek (Naperville, Ill.) are also on the way.
Still Targeting
The Fighting Illini have a pair of 4-star defensive tackles atop the recruiting board. Daniel Cage (Cincinnati) and Jihad Ward (New York) are considering Illinois. The team is also chasing JUCO wide receiver Sanford Seay.
10. Purdue Boilermakers
3 of 12
Total Commitments: 15 (no 4-stars)
Best of the Bunch
Purdue landed a promising passer in David Blough, a 4-star prospect from Carrollton, Texas. The talented defensive end duo of Gelen Robinson (Saint John, Ind.) and Will Colmery (La Grange Park, Ill.) adds some bite to the Boilermakers' defensive front. Offensive tackle Denzel Ward is one of the top linemen in Illinois.
Still Targeting
St. Louis product Renell Wren is a 4-star defensive end Purdue would love to land. Tight end Blake Whiteley (Yuma, Ariz.) is a top pass target on the Boilermakers' radar.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers
4 of 12
Total Commitments: 13 (one 4-star)
Best of the Bunch
Running back Jeff Jones headlines the Gophers' small class of commits. The Minneapolis native is still considering offers from Iowa State and Kentucky, according to 247Sports. Dual-threat quarterback Dimonic McKinzy is an intriguing prospect from Kansas City. Gaelin Elmore (Somerset, Wisc.) provides Minnesota with a dangerous weapon at tight end.
Still Targeting
Minnesota still has its sights set on one of the top offensive linemen in the region. Offensive tackle Frank Ragnow (Chanhassen, Minn.) is heavily considering the Gophers. Defensive end prospects Demetrius Hill and Chris Slayton could add elements to Minnesota's pass rush.
8. Iowa Hawkeyes
5 of 12
Total Commitments: 17 (no 4-stars)
Best of the Bunch
Athlete Jay Scheel (La Porte City, Iowa) and running back Markel Smith (St. Louis, Mo.) are 4-star prospects with the potential to play early. Safety Jyaz Jones (Dallas, Texas) is a physical defensive back who can excel in a variety of schemes.
Still Targeting
Last month, 4-star wide receiver Adonis Jennings decommitted from Rutgers and recently visited the Hawkeyes. Offensive tackle Brian Wallace would compete for playing time as an underclassman.
7. Michigan State
6 of 12
Total Commitments: 18 (no 4-stars)
Best of the Bunch
Quarterback Chris Durkin (Youngstown, Ohio) is a talented passer who will take snaps from Brian Allen (Hinsdale, Ill.), one of the nation's top center prospects. Running back Gerald Owens is a power runner who bolsters the Spartans' backfield. Vayante Copeland sparks the secondary as a physical coverage cornerback.
Still Targeting
Michigan State is pursuing top in-state prospect Malik McDowell, a dominant defensive end. Ohio athlete JJ Pinckney could line up at a variety of positions in East Lansing.
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers
7 of 12
Total Commitments: 19 (one 4-star)
Best of the Bunch
Nebraska maintains its tradition of strong linemen, picking up commitments from 4-star defensive tackle Peyton Newell (Hiawatha, Kan.) and 4-star offensive tackle Tanner Farmer (Highland Park, Ill.). Wide receiver Monte Harrison (Lees Summit, Mo.) is a versatile 4-star pass target. JUCO defensive tackles Terrell Clinkscales and Joe Keels are capable of contributing immediately.
Still Targeting
Nebraska aims to add do-it-all athlete Kalen Ballage (Peyton, Colo.), who could play on either side of the ball. He is currently committed to Arizona State but visited Lincoln last weekend. JUCO cornerback Kweishi Brown is a key recruit at a position of need for Nebraska.
5. Northwestern Wildcats
8 of 12
Total Commitments: 13 (three 4-stars)
Best of the Bunch
The Wildcats hold commitments from 4-star Illinois products Justin Jackson (running back) and Clayton Thorson (quarterback). Northwestern lured 4-star defensive end Garrett Dickerson from New Jersey.
Still Targeting
Northwestern is aiming to land 4-star cornerback Parrker Westphal. Terrence Alexander (New Orleans) is another coveted defensive back in the mix.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions
9 of 12
Total Commitments: 16 (four 4-stars)
Best of the Bunch
Wide receivers Chris Godwin and DeAndre Thompkins give the Lions excellent targets in the passing game. A 4-star tight end in Mike Gesicki also adds to the offensive attack. Safety Marcus Allen is a promising secondary standout.
Still Targeting
Brooklyn, N.Y., product Thomas Holley is a 5-star prospect still considering Penn State. The Lions are also after 4-star Pittsburgh offensive tackle Alex Bookser.
3. Wisconsin Badgers
10 of 12
Total Commitments: 25 (four 4-stars)
Best of the Bunch
Offensive linemen Jaden Gault and George Panos are in-state prospects who improve the front wall. Quarterback D.J. Gillins, a Jacksonville, Fla., prospect, brings superior athleticism to the position in Madison.
Still Targeting
Wisconsin will aim to secure a commitment from 5-star recruit Joe Mixon, who lists the team as one of four finalists. Also considering Madison is 4-star athlete Jamil Kamara, an intriguing skill player.
2. Michigan Wolverines
11 of 12
Total Commitments: 16 (seven 4-stars, one 5-star)
Best of the Bunch
Michigan has assembled an impressive class, headlined by 5-star New Jersey athlete Jabrill Peppers. Head coach Brady Hoke has also added 4-star defensive linemen Bryan Mone and Lawrence Marshall. Grand Rapids wide receiver Drake Harris has instant-impact potential.
Still Targeting
Michigan is still searching for help on defense. Defensive end Malik McDowell is front and center in those efforts. Dwight Williams, a 4-star linebacker, could be tempted to leave his home in Southern California and play in Ann Arbor.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
12 of 12Total Commitments: 18 (13 4-stars, one 5-star)
Best of the Bunch
The addition of 5-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan is huge for Urban Meyer. In this writer's recruiting book, Ohio State started the day ranked second in the conference, but the addition of a dominant defender pushes the Buckeyes past Michigan. McMillan joins 4-star prospects Damon Webb (cornerback), Dante Booker (linebacker) and Jalyn Holmes (defensive end) as potential members of the 2014 defensive rotation in Columbus. Brooklyn native Curtis Samuel is among the nation's best athletes.
Still Targeting
Meyer is looking to fill some holes in the secondary. Elite cornerback prospects Tony Brown and Marshon Lattimore each view the Buckeyes as a viable option. California product John Smith is arguably the top safety prospect on the West Coast, but he could also contribute on offense.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
