Power Ranking Big Ten's Recruiting Classes: Who Comes After Ohio State?

Every month we've re-evaluated where things stand in the recruiting world. For October we've given you the top 25 classes, SEC rankings and Big 12 rankings.

Today, we move onto the Big Ten, which generally recruits quite well. However, aside from Ohio State, and maybe Michigan State and Michigan, the Big Ten is actually struggling.

Penn State and Iowa aren't recruiting up to their usual standards, neither is Michigan, and of course there are deadweight recruiting schools like Purdue. 

All in all, not a good year for the Big Ten when it comes to bringing in the talent; luckily Nebraska will soon join the fold. 

Here are the updated rankings for the Big Ten's 2011 recruiting classes. 

11. Purdue

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 3

Best Individual Prospect: Russell Bellomy, QB

Purdue has only six commitments, but the Boilermakers usually enter the game late and rarely stack up big classes this time of year. 

Quarterback Russell Bellomy, tight end Robert Kugler and outside linebacker Brandon Cottom are all 3-star prospects and the best of the bunch for Purdue. 

10. Minnesota

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 9

Best Individual Prospect: Max Shortell, QB

Minnesota has 15 commitments while Penn State, which ranks above it in the conference, has just four commitments. 

The Nittany Lions have a couple of solid 4-star recruits though and the Golden Gophers don't have anyone ranked in the top 40 at their position. 

 

9. Northwestern

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 10

Best Individual Prospect: Zack Oliver, QB

We'll put Northwestern in the same category as Minnesota and unlike most recruiting rankings, won't value quantity over quality. 

Northwestern has a decent class of all-around talent, with 10 of its 13 commitments earning 3-star grades, but we're still a long way from anything resembling elite talent. 

8. Illinois

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 10

Best Individual Prospect: Tony Durkin, C

It's a close call between Minnesota, Nortwestern and Illinois as all three schools have very comparable classes at this point. 

Nortwestern and Illinois both have 10 3-star prospects, while Minnesota has nine. We'll give the Illini the slight edge based on center Tony Durkin though; he's ranked as one of the players at his position. 

7. Penn State

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 2

3-Star Commitments: 2

Best Individual Prospect: Angelo Mangiro, OG

Penn State is restricted by a couple things when it comes to its 2011 recruiting class. First, the Nittany Lions don't have many scholarships available this year and secondly, recruits are balking against the school.

Without assurance that Joe Paterno will be with the school much longer, prospects are understandably hesitant to commit. They do have Angelo Mangiro at guard and Shawn Oakman at defensive end though. 

6. Wisconsin

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 1

3-Star Commitments: 8

Best Individual Prospect: Jake Keefer, OLB

Wisconsin has a good all-around class headlined by linebacker Jake Keefer, one of the top outside linebackers in the class and the best prospect from the state of Wisconsin.

Add in talent like Michael Caputo at linebacker and Sam Arneson at tight end, and you know the Badgers will find a way to make this class work for them. 

 

5. Indiana

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 0

3-Star Commitments: 16

Best Individual Prospect: Raymon Taylor, CB

Indiana has the most commitments in the conference at 22 and counting. Right now that has the Hooisers not too far away from the top 25 classes in the country. 

Although, Indiana has no 5-star or 4-star talents, with 16 3-star prospects headlining the class. 

4. Iowa

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 2

3-Star Commitments: 11

Best Individual Prospect: Jordan Walsh, OG

Iowa's 2011 class is heavy on offensive talent, which is somewhat surprising considering the losses on defense the last couple of years. 

Of the Hawkeyes 15 commitments, 10 are on the offensive side of the ball, with Iowa's top seven prospects all playing on offense. 

3. Michigan

5-Star Commitments: 0

4-Star Commitments: 4

3-Star Commitments: 8

Best Individual Prospect: Dee Hart, RB 

Michigan's class got a whole lot better last week when running back Dee Hart committed to the Wolverines. 

Hart is one of the best backs in the country and should be huge for Michigan down the line. He's joined by 4-star defensive end Brennen Beyer and 4-star linebacker Kellen Jones to headline the class. 

2. Michigan State

5-Star Commitments: 1

4-Star Commitments: 3

3-Star Commitments: 11

Best Individual Prospect: Lawrence Thomas, LB

Michigan State could be in line for a jump in its recruiting rankings as prospects flip their allegiance based on the Spartans' recent success.

Even if MSU doesn't get a single other commitment though, it still has 5-star linebacker Lawrence Thomas, one of the top overall prospects in the country. 

1. Ohio State

5-Star Commitments: 2

4-Star Commitments: 10

3-Star Commitments: 5

Best Individual Prospect: Braxton Miller, QB

Ohio State has far and away the top recruiting class in the country and based on where things stand right now, the Buckeyes shouldn't have any problems finishing the year with a top five recruiting class. 

With 5-star talent like Braxton Miller at quarterback and Steve Miller at defensive end, as well as 10 4-star prospects to add, Ohio State takes the cake in the Big Ten.