Big Ten Football: Power Ranking The Conference's 2011 Recruiting Classes
The Big Ten will be making a change in it's setup next season and the programs in the conference have geared up for the change by recruiting hard to stockpile talent.
Nebraska will be a member of the prestigious and traditional league and this has forced schools to recruit in preparation for the incoming juggernaut.
Check out the Big Ten recruiting class rankings.
11. Northwestern
1 of 11
Total commits: 14
Five star commits: none
Four star commits: none
Pat Fitzgerald showed rare coaching loyalty and immediately announced he was not a candidate at Michigan. Fitzgerald loves coaching at his alma mater and recruits can easily tell.
Northwestern is known for its academic excellence so it had to recruit the right kids who can excel on the field and keep up in the classroom. Christian Jones, a receiver from Texas, is the top player in the class and at 6-3, 200 pounds has the size to box out smaller defensive backs for the ball.
The Wildcats have four offensive line pledges, including Matt Frazier, a lineman who can play all five spots among the offensive front.
10. Purdue
2 of 11
Total commits: 14
Five star commits: none
Four star commits: none
The Boilermakers have two talented JC players in route in running back Akeem Shavers and tight end Sterling Carter.
In the prep ranks, play making running back Marcus Caffey will make noise in Indiana and team with quarterback Russell Bellomy to create a solid backfield of the future. Taylor Richards is a gifted defensive back who could develop into a solid Big Ten cornerback.
9. Indiana
3 of 11
Total commits: 8
Five star commits: none
Four star commits: two
Known as a basketball school, Indiana has two four star prospects slated to be Hossiers in linebacker Zach Shaw and Raymon Taylor, currently listed as a ATH.
Shaw could play all three linebacker spots in a 4-3 with his 6-3, 220 pound frame. Taylor will be a hot topic for the new coaching staff as receiver, running back, corner, and safety are all possible field destinations for the talented athlete.
Indiana also will add some size to its offensive and defensive perimeter with 6-3 receiver Cody Lattimer and 6-1 defensive back Forissee Hardin.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
8. Illinois
4 of 11
Total commits: 26
Five star commits: none
Four star commits: one
Remember a few years back when Ron Zook shocked the country by halling in a top 10 recruiting class at Illinois? Well times are a bit different now, yet Zook still gets after it as one of the top recruiting head coaches in the country.
Dondi Kirby is the prize player of the class and the 6-3 defensive back has tools to be a big time star. He has 4.5 speed and could play free safety, strong safety, and a little cornerback on bigger receivers of the Big Ten.
7. Penn State
5 of 11
Total commits: 13
Five star commits: none
Four star: three
With quarterback Rob Bolden wanting to transfer and JoePa denying Bolden's request, there may be a somber mood within the Nittany Lions' program. Many teams try to negatively recruit against PSU by using the "Paterno's retiring" line constantly.
Anthony Zettel, Shawn Oakman and Donovan Smith all are not buying it. Zettel and Oakman are defensive ends who will book end JoPa's defensive front in the near future. Smith is an offensive lineman prospect who will look to protect Bolden or Paul Jones or whomever becomes Penn State's new signal caller in these coming seasons.
6. Minnesota
6 of 11
Total commits: 21
Five star commits: none
Four star commits: none
Minnesota has a new coach in Jerry Kill, and he will look to hold on to former coach Tim Brewster's recruits and add some of his own. Tommy Olson is a prototypical Big Ten offensive lineman, tough, nasty, and hard working. He could play guard of tackle for the Gophers.
Max Shortell is a big 6-6, 215 pound quarterback who could develop into a solid signal caller after a redshirt season.
5. Michigan
7 of 11
Total commits: 12
Five star commits: none
Four star commits: three
New Michigan Man Brady Hoke will look to restore college football winningest program back to prominence and it will start with recruiting. Rich Rodriguez recruited players and athletes that fit his spread option style offense and it varied greatly from the traditional Michigan way.
The Wolverines lost Dee Hart to Alabama and Waybe Lyons, who had Michigan high on his list, to Stanford. Justice Hayes has though announced he is sticking with Michigan, and is the crown player of the class. He's as quick and speedy a running back in the country could see time as a true freshman.
Defensive end Brennan Beyer and defensive back Blake Countess are two other talented prospects to watch out for.
4. Michigan State
8 of 11
Total commits: 17
Five star commits: one
Four star commits: none
This class starts and ends with Lawrence Thomas. Period. He's a 5-star rated linebacker who is among the very most physically imposing players in the country. He could Sam linebacker or Mike, move down to defensive end, or even play tight end with the help of his soft hands.
Conor Cook is a solid quarterback prospect, and Donavon Clark will come to MSU to protect him. On the defensive side, defensive back Arjen Colquhoun is a 6-1 back end defender who could develop into a solid safety for Mark Dantonio.
3. Wisconsin
9 of 11
Total commits: 19
Five star commits: none
Four star commits: two
While they lost the Rose Bowl, and will lose Gabe Carimi, JJ Watt, and John Clay to the NFL, the Badgers have a solid recruiting class and take the third spot in the Big Ten rankings. Brett Bielma has garnered five defensive back pledges in this latest class for the boys of Camp Randall.
The defensive side of the ball will welcome Jake Keefer and Austin Traylor. Keefer is a 6-4, 215 pound linebacker who's toughness, versatility, and instincts could get him on the field early. Traylor is a long 6-4 defensive end who's speed and quickness will give Big Ten linemen fits the next four years.
2. Iowa
10 of 11
Total commits: 20
Five star commits: none
Four star commits: four
Iowa's program is the epitome of stability in college football. They have a very good coach in Kirk Ferentz, who's a perfect fit for them and are routinely competitive in a very good conference. They also have the second best recruiting class in the Big Ten this year.
Ferentz is an offensive specialist and Austin Blythe and Jordan Walsh are two very talented offensive line prospects who could not pass up the chance to be coached by Ferentz. Ray Hamilton is among the very top tight ends in the country and his 6-5, 230 pound frame will be an added asset for the Hawkeyes.
Rodney Coe is listed as an ATH and his 6-3, 230 pound, 4.5 speed skill set surely will be welcomed with open arms at Iowa.
1. Ohio State
11 of 11
Total commits: 20
Five star commits: none
Four star commits: nine
In the Big Ten, right now, it's the Buckeyes then everyone else. Jim Tressel has cleaned in recruiting year after year after, this year: the same.
Braxton Miller is the headliner of the class but he just barely takes the title as Michael Bennett, Doran Grant, Ryan Shazier, and Kenny Hayes all are future stars in Columbus.
Steve Miller, Chase Farris, and Brian Bobek are just a few other names to toss around to give you the sense of depth and star power in this class.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
