Power Ranking Every Big Ten Team's 2015 Recruiting Class
The Big Ten finished a solid 2015 recruiting cycle with a solid national signing day. Solid, solid, solid all around.
The incoming class of Big Ten players lacks star power, but with Michigan, a traditional conference powerhouse, firing its head coach mid-cycle, that can be forgiven. And despite the lack of name-brand players (one signee in the national Top 50), the Big Ten signed impressive depth (30 signees between Nos. 51 and 250).
The power rankings that follow relied heavily on the 247Sports team rankings. Any deviations were made subjectively, based on how I felt each team filled its needs.
The slides are broken into secions to give a thorough look at each team's class. Under "National Rankings," you'll notice 2015 has been colored. A green shade means the team outperformed its previous four-year average. A red shade means it underachieved.
Sound off below and let us know what you think.
14. Purdue
1 of 14
Total Commits: 25*
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 0 3-Star: 17 2-Star: 6 n/a: 2
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
QB Elijah Sindelar (OVR: 458/QB: 33)
Size: 6'4", 200 lbs Hometown: Princeton, Kentucky
Elijah Sindelar is a raw quarterback with mega upside. He's a pure pocket passer, but you can't teach his size and arm strength. Purdue has signed a top-550 quarterback in each of the past four cycles, but Robert Gregory has moved to safety, Danny Etling has struggled and David Blough has yet to see the field. Sindelar won't start as a true freshman, but he's another potential QB of the future.
Fills a Need
RB Markell Jones (OVR: 1,302/RB: 95)
Size: 5'11", 205 lbs Hometown: Columbus, Indiana
As a freshman, Markell Jones played linebacker on a team best known for its quarterback (Gunner Kiel). He has since become one of the best offensive players in Indiana, earning Mr. Football honors from The Indianapolis Star this past year. With Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert graduating, Keyante Green is the only experienced back on the depth chart. Jones enrolled early and will push for carries in 2015.
Five More to Watch
- OLB Markus Bailey (OVR: 976/OLB: 59)
- OLB Wyatt Cook (OVR: 873/ILB: 35)
- ATH Evyn Cooper (OVR: 1,143/ATH: 90)
- OT Matt McCann (OVR: 734/OT: 79)
- OT Larry Wells (OVR: 1,236/OT: 133)
*3-star defensive end Chazmyn Turner did not sign Wednesday. He is still deciding between Purdue and other schools. He has not been counted as a commitment, but unranked offensive guard Mike Mendez has.
13. Iowa
2 of 14
Total Commits: 21
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 1 3-Star: 18 2-Star: 1 n/a: 1
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
OC James Daniels (OVR: 334/OC: 6)
Size: 6'4", 304 lbs Hometown: Warren, Ohio
Iowa signed three players from the national top 450, and all three were offensive linemen. Center James Daniels, an Ohio native who chose the Hawkeyes over Ohio State, grades the highest of that trio and has already enrolled for spring camp. Iowa prefers to redshirt linemen, but Austin Blythe is a senior, so Daniels could start as early as 2016.
Fills a Need
DE Brady Reiff (OVR: 1,037/WDE: 48)
Size: 6'3", 215 lbs Hometown: Parkston, South Dakota
This spot was reserved for Karan Higdon, a top-500 overall running back. But Higdon flipped to Michigan on national signing day, so instead let's go with Brady Reiff. Reiff has a lean frame that suggests he needs some time to develop, but with three departed starters on the defensive line, he might not get a chance. Older brother Riley set a high bar to clear, but Brady can make his own name in time.
Five More to Watch
- QB Ryan Boyle (OVR: 935/DUAL QB: 25)
- OLB Angelo Garbutt (OVR: 1,121 OLB: 68)
- OG Landan Paulsen (OVR: 443/ OG: 30)
- OT Levi Paulesn (OVR: 451 /OT: 50)
- ATH Michael Slater Jr. (OVR: 1,262 /ATH: 101)
12. Minnesota
3 of 14
Total Commits: 24
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 0 3-Star: 24 2-Star: 0 n/a: 0
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
S Dior Johnson (OVR: 706/S: 46)
Size: 6'1.5", 195 lbs Hometown: Southfield, Michigan
Minnesota beat the buzzer with Dior Johnson, flipping its top-ranked player from Wake Forest at the end of January. Johnson is a tall, lanky safety with great coverage instincts but needs to add weight before starting in a power conference. At Minnesota, unlike at Wake Forest, he can sit and learn behind a talented, experienced secondary. If he tacks on some muscle, he'll contribute by 2016.
Fills a Need
WR Hunter Register (OVR: 1,178/WR: 142)
Size: 6'5", 200 lbs Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana
Tight end Maxx Williams declared early for the NFL draft, depriving Minnesota of its 6'4" leading pass-catcher. Isaac Fruechette, a 6'3" receiver, is set to graduate as well. The Gophers filled a hole with 6'5" Hunter Register, dipping into the Bayou State to land him. He doesn't have the sharpest route tree, but he's already a threat in the red zone, and his upside suggests he could be a No. 1 target down the road.
Five More to Watch
- ATH Ray Buford Jr. (OVR: 972/ATH: 77)
- QB Demry Croft (OVR: 805/DUAL QB: 23)
- DE Winston DeLattiboudere (OVR: 1,246/WDE: 59)
- OT Quinn Oseland (OVR: 754/OT: 81)
- CB Charlie Rogers (JUCO: 77/JUCO CB: 6)
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11. Rutgers
4 of 14
Total Commits: 24*
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 1 3-Star: 20 2-Star: 3 n/a: 1
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
DE Marques Ford (OVR: 275/SDE: 18)
Size: 6'4", 230 lbs Hometown: Gibsonton, Florida
Rutgers failed to sign a 4-star recruit last cycle and didn't sign its first of 2015 until Tennessee pulled Marques Ford's scholarship offer. But the Volunteers' loss is the Scarlet Knights' gain, as Ford, an Under Armour All-American, is the No. 6-ranked defensive-line recruit in the Big Ten. With Ford, former 5-star recruit Darius Hamilton and 2014 Freshman All-American Kemoko Turay, Rutgers has the makings of a filthy defensive line.
Fills a Need
S Najee Clayton (OVR: 617/S: 40)
Size: 6'3", 215 lbs Hometown: Paramus, New Jersey
Najee Clayton is the highest-ranked player from Paramus Catholic, the same school that produced former 5-star recruit Jabrill Peppers and future 5-star recruit Rashan Gary. He isn't the same class of prospect, but Clayton brings a long, athletic frame to the safety position and the ability to play linebacker with added weight. As a freshman he'll join a secondary that loses its top three tacklers, two of whom (Lorenzo Waters and Jonathan Aiken) were safeties.
Five More to Watch
- CB Blessuan Austin (PREP: 23/PREP CB: 3)
- QB Michael Dare (OVR: 689/PRO QB: 26)
- TE Anthony Folkerts (OVR: 1,266/TE: 48)
- OLB Sidney Gopre (PREP: 10/PREP OLB: 1)
- DT Kamaal Seymour (OVR: 1,159/DT: 79)
*3-star athlete Alkadair Ports did not sign Wednesday, most likely because of his SAT score. He said he is still committed to Rutgers and plans to enroll, per Todderick Hunt of NJ.com, but his status is unclear. Until further notice, he has not been counted toward the Scarlet Knights' class.
10. Indiana
5 of 14
Total Commits: 22
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 0 3-Star: 22 2-Star: 0 n/a: 0
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
S Tyler Green (OVR: 533/S: 31)
Size: 6'3", 195 lbs Hometown: Hyattsville, Maryland
Tyler Green was an Ohio State commit who late in the cycle flipped to Indiana. He instantly became the Hoosiers' top recruit and fills a need for a defense that loses starting safety Mark Murphy. Antonio Allen has one safety spot locked up, but Green is a long, rangy athlete with aggressive instincts and solid hands. He'll push sophomores Chase Dutra and Tony Fields for playing time.
Fills a Need
DE Brandon Wilson (OVR: 940/SDE: 54)
Size: 6'4", 240 lbs Hometown: Winter Garden, Florida
Indiana always needs help on defense, especially in the front seven. It returns just seven sacks from last year's defensive line and loses its best player, tackle Bobby Richardson. Brandon Wilson can't replace Richardson up the middle, but he can become an instant impact player on the edge. He has a college-ready frame and hails from the talent-rich Southeast region.
Five More to Watch
- S Jonathan Crawford (OVR: 913/S: 64)
- ATH Isaac James (OVR: 730/ATH: 36)
- OT Brandon Knight (OVR: 644/OT: 70)
- WR Camion Patrick (JUCO: 53/JUCO WR: 8)
- WR Leon Thornton (OVR: 602/WR: 72)
9. Northwestern
6 of 14
Total Commits: 20
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 0 3-Star: 19 2-Star: 1 n/a: 0
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
DT Jordan Thompson (OVR: 415/DT: 25)
Size: 6'3", 250 lbs Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Jordan Thompson is an undersized defensive tackle who fits Northwestern's 4-3 scheme. He can slide to end if needed, at which point his size is ideal. Either way, he's a blue-collar worker who wins with leverage against the run. No matter where he lines up, he'll help a Wildcats' defense that loses a ton of linemen in 2016.
Fills a Need
WR Flynn Nagel (OVR: 568/WR: 64)
Size: 5'11", 190 lbs Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Northwestern failed to sign a receiver last cycle. It loses Kyle Prater and Tony Jones to graduation, and its next two leading receivers, Cameron Dickerson and Miles Shuler, are seniors in 2015. Fortunately, on the second-to-last day of the cycle, the same day they lost Grant Perry to Michigan, the Wildcats flipped Flynn Nagel from Duke. Nagel ranks 296 spots higher than Perry on the 247Sports composite rankings and is the highest-ranked receiver Pat Fitzgerald has ever signed.
Five More to Watch
- ILB Nathan Fox (OVR: 687/ILB: 23)
- DE Joe Gaziano (OVR: 562/SDE: 31)
- RB John Moten (OVR: 790/RB: 60)
- S Simba Short (OVR: 787/S: 56)
- OC Jared Thomas (OVR: 611/OC: 11)
8. Maryland
7 of 14
Total Commits: 18
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 2 3-Star: 15 2-Star: 0 n/a: 1
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
DT Adam McLean (OVR: 124/DT: 14)
Size: 6'2", 290 lbs Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland
Maryland flipped Adam McLean from Penn State in December, completing its most important move of the cycle with less than two months to spare. The Terps lose all three of their starting defensive linemen, and McLean has the size and speed to contribute right away. Basically, he's a bigger, stronger, younger version of Andre Monroe, who in 2014 set the all-time UMD sack record (25). If he adds weight, he could kick inside and play nose tackle, too.
Fills a Need
ILB Gus Little (OVR: 1,325/ILB: 51)
Size: 6'3", 230 lbs Hometown: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Maryland loses Cole Farrand and L.A. Goree from the middle of last year's defense. Gus Little has the size to fill that void. He also has the high-school production, having just capped his career with 147 tackles in a 14-game season. He'll compete with Abner Logan, Jermaine Carter and others—including undersized classmate Brett Zanotto (6'0", 215 lbs)—for playing time in 2015.
Five More to Watch
- OG Quarvez Boulware (OVR: 256 / OG: 18)
- OG E.J. Donahue (OVR: 365 / OG: 25)
- DT Keiron Howard (OVR: 946 / DT: 60)
- WR D.J. Moore (OVR: 361 / WR: 46)
- QB Gage Shaffer (OVR: 1,091 / PRO QB: 42)
7. Illinois
8 of 14
Total Commits: 25*
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 5 3-Star: 12 2-Star: 1 n/a: 1
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
OT Gabe Megginson (OVR: 192/OT: 15)
Size: 6'5", 295 lbs Hometown: Jacksonville, Illinois
Illinois made a point of keeping Gabe Megginson in-state, and it paid off. Megginson is a big, strong lineman with the length to play tackle in the Big Ten, especially if he adds some weight the next few seasons. He is the third top-200 player the Illini have signed since 2010, joining tight end Jon Davis (2011) and quarterback Aaron Bailey (2013).
Fills a Need
OLB Justice Williams (OVR: 1,273/OLB: 82)
Size: 6'3", 202 lbs Hometown: Frisco, Texas
Ideally, Justice Williams would spend a year filling out his frame before playing. At Illinois, he won't be given the chance. "Star" linebacker Earnest Thomas III and "Leo" linebacker DeJazz Woods are graduating, leaving the Illini stripped of playmakers on the edge. Williams is rail-thin but has great length and athleticism, which will earn him reps on passing downs, even if he struggles against the run.
Five More to Watch
- RB Dre Brown (OVR: 451/RB: 37)
- WR Sam Mays (OVR: 672/WR: 83)
- DT Jamal Milan (OVR: 886/DT: 53)
- OT Adam Solomon (OVR: 731/OT: 78)
- RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn (OVR: 313/RB: 26)
*2-star quarterback Jeff George signed with Illinois but does not appear on 247Sports' list. He has been counted anyway.
6. Michigan
9 of 14
Total Commits: 14
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 6 3-Star: 8 2-Star: 0 n/a: 0
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
ATH Brian Cole (OVR: 73/ATH: 5)
Size: 6'2", 190 lbs Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan
Brian Cole is a tall, long athlete with the ball skills to play offense or defense. Jabrill Peppers' rumored move to safety, where Michigan already returns two starters, means his best bet is to start at receiver, where the roster lacks proven playmakers. Michael Felder of Bleacher Report said he prefers Cole to Ohio State signee Torrance Gibson, the No. 6 athlete in the class, because Cole is more college-ready. He won't take long to make an impact in Ann Arbor.
Fills a Need
QB Zach Gentry (OVR: 175/PRO QB: 8)
Size: 6'7", 230 lbs Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jim Harbaugh's first big coup at Michigan was flipping Zach Gentry away from Texas. Gentry is a 6'7" freak whose high school coach said "he ran in the 4.6s last season," per Angelique S. Chengelis of the Detroit News. Tall, strong and faster than people realize: sounds a lot like someone Harbaugh coached at Stanford. The Wolverines need a QB of the future, and Shane Morris, Wilton Speight and Russell Bellomy were products of the old regime.
Five More to Watch
- RB Karan Higdon (OVR: 478/RB: 40)
- DE Shelton Johnson (OVR: 364/SDE: 20)
- S Tyree Kinnel (OVR: 195/S: 11)
- OT Grant Newsome (OVR: 235/OT: 22)
- TE Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (OVR: 312/TE: 12)
5. Wisconsin
10 of 14
Total Commits: 21*
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 2 3-Star: 18 2-Star: 1 n/a: 0
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
RB Jordan Stevenson (OVR: 204/RB: 17)
Size: 5'8", 185 lbs Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Need a sign the country pays attention? How about Jordan Stevenson, the No. 4 running back in the state of Texas, decommiting from the Longhorns to travel 1,000 miles north to Wisconsin. The Badgers have the best two-headed running scheme in the country and need a backup for Corey Clement. Stevenson runs like former UW star Brian Calhoun and will not take long to earn touches. The way this team spits out running backs, it's no wonder Stevenson left home.
Fills a Need
TE Kyle Penniston (OVR: 349/TE: 13)
Size: 6'5", 230 lbs Hometown: Santa Ana, California
Kyle Penniston is a 247Sports favorite, ranking more than 190 spots higher on the site's own rankings than he does on the composite. He comes from one of the best high school programs in the country (Mater Dei) and has already enrolled for spring practice to compete against Troy Fumagalli. Even if he loses that battle, the Badgers need both tight ends to step up and replace Sam Arneson.
Five More to Watch
- OT Jon Dietzen (OVR: 343/OT: 36)
- OT Kevin Estes (OVR: 389/OT: 40)
- QB Austin Kafentzis (OVR: 535/DUAL QB: 16)
- OT David Moorman (OVR: 395/OT: 42)
- DT Olive Sagapolu (OVR: 824/DT: 49)
*3-star all-purpose back Serge Trezy enrolled early but does not appear on 247Sports' list. He has been counted toward the numbers anyway.
4. Nebraska
11 of 14
Total Commits: 20
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 3 3-Star: 16 2-Star: 1 n/a:
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
CB Eric Lee (OVR: 127/CB: 18)
Size: 6'0", 175 lbs Hometown: Littleton, Colorado
Eric Lee is the top-ranked player from the state of Colorado, and he enters a fluid depth chart at cornerback. Nebraska loses Josh Mitchell to graduation, and Davie Daniel and Jonathan Rose will be seniors in 2015. Lee is undersized but has deceptively long arms and plays with an edge in coverage. He enrolled for spring practice and will compete to see the field as a freshman.
Fills a Need
OLB Mohamed Barry (OVR: 1,141/OLB: 71)
Size: 6'1", 210 lbs Hometown: Loganville, Georgia
Mike Riley called linebacker the key position in the recruiting class, per Nate Clouse of Husker Online. The Huskers didn't sign any top-1,000 players at LB, but they did sign Mohamed Barry, a physical, active run-stopper who can outperform his rank down the line. Prior to Nebraska, Barry was committed to Wisconsin and Kansas State—two programs lauded for finding under-the-radar prospects.
Five More to Watch
- ATH Avery Anderson (OVR: 320/ATH: 22)
- OG Jalin Barnett (OVR: 180/OG: 8)
- DE Carlos Davis (OVR: 352/SDE: 19)
- OT Christian Gaylord (OVR: 356/OT: 37)
- DE Daishon Neal (OVR: 671/SDE: 37)
3. Michigan State
12 of 14
Total Commits: 21
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 5 3-Star: 16 2-Star: 0 n/a: 0
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
RB Larry Scott (OVR: 59/RB: 6)
Size: 6'2", 228 lbs Hometown: Hubbard, Ohio
The highest-ranked offensive recruit of the Mark Dantonio era, Larry Scott comes to East Lansing at the perfect time. Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill are gone, leaving only Delton Williams, Madre London and Gerald Holmes in the mix for carries. Scott is a bruising back who falls forward and picks up extra yards, but he's deceptively quick in the hole and fast in the open field.
Fills a Need
CB Josh Butler (OVR: 330/CB: 31)
Size: 5'11", 175 lbs Hometown: Mesquite, Texas
Trae Waynes declared early for the NFL draft, and receiver-cornerback Tony Lippett was a senior. Darian Hicks, whose benching led to Lippett's promotion, returns as a favorite to start next season, as does Demetrius Cox, who played safety instead of corner the past two years. There's an open road to playing time for Josh Butler, the Spartans' highest-ranked cornerback commit since since Mylan Hicks in 2010. He's one of three Texas players in the 2015 class.
Five More to Watch
- S David Dowell (OVR: 230/S: 18)
- QB Brian Lewerke (OVR: 413/PRO QB: 16)
- OLB Cassius Peat (OVR: 397/OLB: 32)
- OG Kyonta Stallworth (OVR: 184/OG: 9)
- DT Raequan Williams (OVR: 208/DT: 18)
2. Penn State
13 of 14
Total Commits: 25
5-Star: 0 4-Star: 13 3-Star: 12 2-Star: 0 n/a: 0
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
RB Saquon Barkley (OVR: 123/RB: 14)
Size: 5'11", 190 lbs Hometown: Whitehall, Pennsylvania
Saquon Barkley is Penn State's running back of the future, but he'll play a role in the present too. Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak were seniors last season, so there's room behind Akeel Lynch on the depth chart. Barkley rushed for 1,851 yards and 24 touchdowns in 11 games (!!!) as a senior, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. He's a complete back who can hit the home run or gain chunks between the tackles.
Fills a Need
OT Paris Palmer (JUCO: 12/JUCO OT: 2)
Size: 6'8", 305 lbs Hometown: Scranton, Pennsylvania
Donovan Smith declared early for the NFL draft, leaving a big hole on an already weak line. Other than Andrew Nelson, who started and held his own as a redshirt freshman, the Nittany Lions have no tackles with serious experience. Enter 6'8" JUCO product Paris Palmer, who flipped from South Carolina and enrolled for spring camp. He'll compete for the starting job against a long list of underclassmen.
Five More to Watch
- DE Ryan Buchholz (OVR: 244/SDE: 14)
- OT Sterling Jenkins (OVR: 210/OT: 17)
- WR Juwan Johnson (OVR: 130/WR: 13)
- CB John Reid (OVR: 126/CB: 7)
- CB Garrett Taylor (OVR: 125/CB: 16)
1. Ohio State
14 of 14
Total Commits: 27
5-Star: 1 4-Star: 14 3-Star: 11 2-Star: 1 n/a: 0
National Rank by Year
Star of the Class
OLB Justin Hilliard (OVR: 34/OLB: 2)
Size: 6'0", 225 lbs Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Justin Hilliard is a high-effort player who fits the Ohio State mold. He's a little undersized, but he's a terrific athlete who can contribute right away as a backup, add some bulk in the weight room and slide into the starting lineup as a sophomore. Joshua Perry is a rising senior, and Darron Lee is free to declare after 2015. There will be at least one open spot next to Raekwon McMillan at linebacker.
Fills a Need
DE Jashon Cornell (OVR: 91/SDE: 7)
Size: 6'4", 260 lbs Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Ohio State dismissed Noah Spence last season and loses Steve Miller to graduation. Defensive end is one of the few spots on the roster with questions—or at least it is once you get past Joey Bosa. Urban Meyer doesn't want to redshirt players, especially top-100 recruits, and Jashon Cornell enrolled early to get a head start. He will earn a spot in the rotation as a freshman.
Five More to Watch
- ATH Jerome Baker (OVR: 61/ATH: 4)
- QB Joe Burrow (OVR: 305/DUAL QB: 9)
- ATH Torrance Gibson (OVR: 76/ATH: 6)
- OT Isaiah Prince (OVR: 105/OT: 7)
- CB Eric-Glover Williams (OVR: 100/CB: 12)
Note: All recruiting info refers to the 247Sports composite rankings. All team rankings current as of Wednesday, February 4, 6:30 p.m. ET. They will be adjusted as more info comes in.
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