National Signing Day 2011: Power Ranking the Big Ten Recruiting Classes
With the addition of Nebraska to the Big Ten in 2011, the conference will be divided into two divisions, Legends and Leaders. While much has been made over the fewer number of elite athletes coming out of the Midwest, the major players expanded their search into Texas and Florida.
With only one 5-star recruit in all of the Big Ten it appears that the talent has been spread more evenly throughout the country in 2011.
Here is a look at the Big Ten power rankings from bottom to top.
No. 12: Purdue
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The Purdue Boilermakers filled 16 roster spots on national signing day, eight of them being 3-star recruits. The bottom or the class features five players that aren't rated.
Purdue's class is basically split between offense and defense, with the highest-rated players being OLB Armstead Williams and ATH Raheem Mostert.
The Boilermakers surprisingly secured more recruits from Florida than they did from their home state of Indiana.
No. 11: Indiana
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Indiana's 2011 class is led by Shane Wynn a 5'6", 150-pound speedster out of Cleveland, Ohio. Jake Reed, a tight end out of Columbus North H.S. in Indiana, is also one of the higher-rated recruits that Indiana gathered.
The defensive side of the ball was a major concern for a team that finished 102nd in the nation in points allowed in 2010. Indiana signed 10 defenders today to try and plug that defensive hole.
One-third of Indiana's class is homegrown young men from the Hoosier State, showing that Indiana is not afraid to look close to home.
No. 10: Northwestern
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Not even a game at Wrigley Field or a Jan. 1 bowl game could bump Northwestern's recruiting stock this year. The Wildcats' class of 17 recruits is led by wide receiver Christian Jones an ESPN 150 star out of Spring, Texas. Although Jones tore his ACL prior to his senior season he was still heavily recruited.
Also on board are a couple of huge offensive tackles, 6'7" Shane Mertz and 6'5" Jack Konopka. These big bodies will come in handy protecting quarterback Zack Oliver.
Northwestern used the whole map on its recruiting class, with signings from New Jersey to California and all points in between.
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No. 9: Minnesota
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The Golden Gophers beefed up their interior with this class including offensive linemen Tommy Olson and Kyle McAvoy, two big men that can open holes.
Minnesota will need help on the offensive line if they want to improve on the 135 rushing yards per game that they generated in 2010.
With a 3-9 season last year, it will be essential for the Gophers to provide protection for junior quarterback MarQueis Gray.
No. 8: Wisconsin
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Finishing the 2010 season with an 11-2 record and an AP ranking of seventh must not have been a selling point for Wisconsin. The Badgers' lone 4-star recruit is wide receiver A.J. Jordan, a steady playmaker out of Trotwood, Ohio.
Wisconsin went strong at the tight end slot, signing three, all homegrown. Half of the Badgers recruits were from the home state and it was Midwest all the way with the exception of three signings from Florida.
No. 7: Penn State
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As recently as mid-October the Penn State Nittany Lions had a total of four verbal commitments, but still managed to land 17 signings today. Coach Joe Paterno, who hasn't personally made an in-house visit since 2008 landed two Pitt Panther verbal commits on signing day.
Paterno snagged Bill Belton, a 5'9" athlete from New Jersey, and Ben Kline, a homegrown outside linebacker.
Penn State finished with a total of four 4-star recruits, three of which are offensive linemen. The Nittany Lions also added three defensive ends.
No. 6: Illinois
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The Fighting Illini landed in the middle of the Big Ten pack with a solid recruiting class led by ESPN 150 ATH Jon Davis, a 6'2", 235-pound offensive weapon that can run the ball as well as catch it.
With a large class of 27 recruits, the Illini spread the wealth with signings covering both skill and interior positions.
No. 5: Michigan State
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Leading the Spartans class of 21 recruits are linebacker, Lawrence Thomas and wide receiver Juwan Caesar both 4-star gamers. Thomas, from Detroit is the No. 8 linebacker by position, while Caesar is No. 37.
Michigan State stayed in-state with five of their recruits, but lost the in-state battle to Michigan by one—that is how tough this rivalry is.
The Spartans signed four defensive ends and four athletes.
No. 4: Iowa
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The Iowa Hawkeyes stayed true to their Big Ten roots, going with interior linemen, linebackers and defensive ends.
Iowa landed three 4-star recruits out of a class of 22, with three being homegrown talent.
The Hawkeyes also signed two tight ends and three receivers.
No. 3: Michigan
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Michigan turned what could have been a bleak situation into a successful recruiting class. With the departure of Rich Rod, it seemed that the wheels could fall off the cart, but new coach Brady Hoke ended up landing 20 recruits today.
Michigan's defense was horrible last season giving up an average of 35 points per game. The Wolverines countered by signing 12 defenders to go along with 4-star running back Justice Hayes.
Michigan also won the in-state recruiting battle with MSU by landing six homegrown players.
No. 2: Nebraska
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Nebraska looks to make its Big Ten debut in a hard-hitting fashion, with the only 5-star recruit in all the Big Ten, and a total of four ESPN 150 players.
Aaron Green, a 5-star running back leads the way along with quarterback Bubba Starling the seventh-ranked quarterback in the land, who surprised some by not going the MLB rout.
The Huskers also took care of needs up front by signing seven interior linemen.
No. 1: Ohio State
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Ohio State didn't let tattoo-gate stop them from collecting a dominating 2011 recruiting class in the Big Ten: seven of the Buckeyes' 23 recruits are in the ESPN 150, and 12 of the recruits are from Ohio.
Jim Tressel covered all the bases, recruiting for every position including quarterback. Braxton Miller the No. 4 signal-caller in the nation from Huber Heights, Ohio looks to be the quarterback of the future for the Buckeyes.
This is a strong class from top to bottom with 14 of the recruits being 4-star men.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
