Top 2015 Recruits Who Committed Early to Big Ten Schools
With Maryland and Rutgers entering the Big Ten soon, recruiting will only get more competitive around the league. Michigan and Ohio State are the conference's two flagship programs, but the Wolverines and Buckeyes do get challenged by their conference rivals on the recruiting trail.
The Big Ten doesn't have as many elite 2015 commitments as the SEC at this point, but several high-end prospects in the 2015 247Sports composite rankings are pledged to Big Ten programs.
Several schools boast commitments from solid defensive backs, while Penn State has started things off with a pledge from a solid offensive lineman.
Kamonte Carter, ATH
1 of 6
Committed to: Penn State
Kamonte Carter is a 4-star prospect from Maryland who is considered a jumbo athlete right now. He can play quarterback, tight end or defensive end, so Penn State has some decisions to make regarding where he plays.
Carter is 6'4" and 235 pounds. He is a raw quarterback prospect, but his size and solid strength appear to be better suited for tight end or defensive end.
Tyree Kinnel, S
2 of 6
Committed to: Michigan
Due to his potential to be a dynamic free safety, Tyree Kinnel is already considered a 4-star prospect in the class of 2015. The Ohio native works in the secondary and is 6'0" and 190 pounds.
Kinnel has a knack for refusing to get looked off and manipulated by quarterbacks, and he appears to have a solid understanding of how to recognize routes. He's quick out of transition to attack passing lanes and also has the ability to help out versus the run.
Ryan Bates, OL
3 of 6
Committed to: Penn State
James Franklin knows that he's going to need to build up Penn State's offensive line now that he's head coach, and 4-star blocker Ryan Bates provides a great offensive line commit to start the process.
Bates, who is an in-state prospect for the Nittany Lions, is 6'5" and 280 pounds. He has good quickness at the snap but displays even better movement skills and athleticism. He can get his hat on linebackers on the second level as well as slide with rushers to protect the passer.
Cory James of Lions247 recently said of Bates, "He is the No. 5 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 16 offensive tackle nationally, though he will likely play guard at Penn State."
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Eric Lee, CB
4 of 6
Committed to: Nebraska
Eric Lee is a 4-star cornerback who excels in zone coverage. He's at his best when he can sit back and process information before reacting to make a play.
The 6'0", 175-pound Colorado native has solid speed, and he plays with an impressive amount of intensity at times. Lee's length and size will allow him to match up with big receivers in the Big Ten at Nebraska.
Shaun Crawford, CB
5 of 6
Committed to: Michigan
At 5'9.5" and 170 pounds, Shaun Crawford doesn't have impressive size on the hoof. But the 4-star cornerback has deceptive strength, which allows him to play bigger than his listed size.
Crawford, who can also play receiver, is an Ohio native with great athleticism. He plays on the defensive perimeter with loose hips and good quickness, which helps him mirror receivers before flipping his hips to run with them.
He projects to be a solid cover corner in Ann Arbor.
Eric Glover-Williams, DB/ATH
6 of 6
Committed to: Ohio State
A 4-star athlete from Ohio, Eric Glover-Williams is one of the most explosive players in the Midwest. He has the ability to play cornerback, safety, receiver and running back.
Glover-Williams isn't very strong at 5'11" and 165 pounds, but he has outstanding short-area quickness and burst. He uses his speed to make plays all over the field, and he has above-average awareness and instincts.
It'll be interesting to see where he plays at Ohio State.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
