Welcome to the Big Ten Recruiting Classes of 2009.

It is still six months until the 2009 signing day but people are already talking about who's got the best class. Here is what the 2009 Big Ten classes look like right now.

1. Ohio State

Nobody in the nation has as good of a recruiting class as the Buckeyes are bringing in. Right now they have a class of twenty-five commitments that is head-lined by five-star linebacker Dorian Bell and teammate defensive-back Corey Brown. 4-star Jaamal Berry committed after he saw the Buckeyes destroy Youngstown State Saturday.

2. Michigan

When Rich Rodriguez came to Michigan there were questions about whether he would be able to recruit as well as Carr did. Well, those questions were answered when he pulled in the tenth best class in the nation last year and the class he has right now looks even better. So far Michigan has seventeen commitments head-lined by five-star defensive-tackle William Campbell. Rodriguez was also able to fill the need of a quarterback when he got a commitment from Californian Tate Forcier this weekend.

3. Michigan State

Probably the biggest  surprise in recruiting this year is the players that the Spartans are drawing in. Their class of fifteen is loaded with talent. It was a huge surprise when Michigan native four-star running-back Edwin Baker chose the Spartans over in-state rival Wolverines.

4. Penn State

Joe Paterno has brought in a class of sixteen so far this year full of 3-star athletes. Although Papa Joe was able to stop 4-star offensive-lineman and Pennsylvania-native Eric Shrive from leaving his home state.

5. Illinois

Ron Zook surprised the nation when he drew in a class of twenty-eight last year. This year he has thirteen verbal commitments with more to come. Four-star wide-receiver Terry Hawthorne leads this Fighting Illini class.

6. Wisconsin

The Badger's 12 commitments are headlined by Missouri running back Montee Bell who had scholarships from schools throughout the nation but decided on the Badgers. Although this isn't the strongest class for Wisconsin watch for it to pick up if the Badgers have a strong season.

7. Indiana

The Hoosiers were able to steal linebacker Jeremy Gainer from Detroit, Michigan and add him to their class of fifteen. Indiana's haul right now is looking pretty impressive after how little competition they put up in the Big Ten.

8. Minnesota

The Golden Gophers shocked the recruiting world when after going 1-11 they drew in a top twenty-five class. They filled their need of a Quarterback last year when MarQueis Grey signed on but their need for a running game wasn't filled until this year when Texan running backs Hasan Lipscomb and Eric Stephens gave their verbals to Minnesota. Their class of  nine is growing steadily and with a more successful season they could again bring in a top-25 class.

9. Iowa

After a couple of down seasons the hawkeyes are having more trouble bringing in the recruits than any other team in the Big Ten. Iowa's five verbal commitments are head-lined by wide-receiver Keenan Davis.

10. Northwestern

The Wildcats have drawn in six players so far. Quarterback Evan Watkins leads a group should shape up to be one of their best in the past decade.

11. Purdue

The Boilermakers are having an extremely difficult time putting together a class this year. Purdue has gotten only four verbal commitments this year and are having trouble bringing in others.  

The Big Ten classes are shaping up as they usually do with Michigan and Ohio State with the largest and strongest but the surprises of Michigan State and Purdue have come out of nowhere.