How did all of the Big Ten teams do this recruiting season? Here are the recruiting rankings for the conference, along with the stars for each team, top players, and biggest strengths.
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2021 Big Ten Recruiting Rankings, Breakdown
No, really. How good were the Big Ten classes this 2021 recruiting season?
Big Ten East
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
It might not be the nation’s best recruiting class, but in a horseshoes-and-hand-grenades sort of way, it’s in the discussion with the Alabamas, Georgias and Oregons of the world – that’s all that matters. As always, the Buckeyes are getting a slew of guys making a stop-over in Columbus on their way to the NFL.
If Emeka Egbuka isn’t the nation’s best receiver prospect, he’s close. If Jack Sawyer isn’t the best defensive end, if Donovan Jackson isn’t the best offensive guard, and if Kyle McCord isn’t the best quarterback – and on and on – they’re all close.
2. Michigan Wolverines
Dog Jim Harbaugh and his era all you want, but recruiting hasn’t been an issue. Yeah, on the field and in the recruiting game, Michigan isn’t Ohio State, but that’s not quite a fair comparison even though beating that program is what matters. The Wolverines got their stars for the backfield in QB JJ McCarthy and RB Donovan Edwards, the O line gets were excellent, and it’s a strong overall class full of depth, versatility and talent.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
Flip a coin or the third spot between Penn State and Maryland. The Terps got more quantity to go along with a few top-shelf parts, but Penn State got a few more big-time prospects. There isn’t a Micah Parsons or Devyn Ford type of elite guys, but there are a few who are close enough to be All-Big Ten difference-makers.
2021 Big Ten Recruiting
Big Ten West Rankings | Every Team’s Star
Class Strengths | What’s Missing
2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team
4. Maryland Terrapins
There were a few pickups for the offensive side, but this class is about defense, defense and defense. Head coach Mike Locksley was known for being a top-shelf recruiter when Maryland hired him, and he’s starting to change the talent level with a strong class last year and a fantastic one this season. He and his staff went hard after the star linebackers – getting Terrence Lewis and Branden Jennings out of Florida was massive.
5. Michigan State Spartans
Ehhhh, okay. It’s a recruiting class – no more, no less. Michigan State always went with a recruit-to-a-type thing under Mark Dantonio, and it all worked out just fine. Can Mel Tucker start to get the bigger prospects as he goes forward? The problem isn’t getting the guys to compete with Ohio State and Michigan – it’s getting the guys to compete with what Maryland is bringing in.
6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
It’s not a stretch to call this the program’s best recruiting class in at least ten years, maybe more. It helps that it’s a big class full of commitments, but Greg Schiano is getting some real, live talents, too. He didn’t exactly put a fence around New Jersey, but he landed nine in-state players – getting LB Khayri Banton was big – but it’s not about getting a lot of local guys, it’s about getting the right ones.
7. Indiana Hoosiers
Even with the recent success, Indiana is never going to battle with Ohio State and Michigan for the star recruits. However, there isn’t any one area that’s all that special – except for, potentially, receiver – and there aren’t a whole lot of stars. If Donaven McCulley really is the next great quarterback, then the class works, but there’s not a lot for the lines to build around.
– Big Ten West Rankings
– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team
NEXT: Big Ten West Recruiting Rankings
2021 Big Ten West Recruiting Rankings
1. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin appears to be done with all the cute recruit-to-a-type stuff – which is really code for “we can’t get the good recruits.” Obviously it has all worked out just fine for the program over the years, but it hit a hard ceiling on how high it can get. With this class, it’s upping the potential with a loaded group of offensive linemen and defensive backs leading the school’s best haul of talent in a long, long time.
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers
It checks boxes. The Huskers are getting even more athletic, they’re getting more pass catching options, and they’re doing enough for the offensive line to hope to be better in the near future. There might not be a lot of obvious star power, but in come the tight ends – who could be positioned elsewhere – in come the linebackers, and in comes a good overall class that probably won’t get enough attention.
3. Iowa Hawkeyes
This isn’t a backhanded compliment, but it’s a fantastic class for Iowa. There aren’t any superstars who were wanted by the elite of the elite, but it’s a class full of prospects who fit what Iowa likes to do but with a little more talent than normal. There isn’t a whole lot for the skill spots or the defensive line, but the offensive front is loaded and at least one of the good-looking linebackers will end up being a big deal.
4. Minnesota Golden Gophers
There are a whole lot of good prospects, but not too many elite ones. That hasn’t mattered in the past under PJ Fleck – he’s finding guys who turn into stars around a good base of prospects – and now he’s bringing in a slew of good-looking receivers looking to follow in the NFL footsteps of some recent playmakers, and there’s a little something for everywhere on both sides.
5. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern has to nail it when it comes to its recruits and it did that. It’s not a big class and there’s no strength-in-numbers thing here, but the top gets are all starting-caliber. Few programs in the Big Ten do a better job of micro-targeting – you can’t just get anyone to play for Northwestern – and this class should be a perfect example.
6. Purdue Boilermakers
It’s not great, but this is coming off a terrific 2019 recruiting season. There are a few stars, and there’s quality over the quantity, but it’s a smallish class without a lot of pop. The offensive linemen are solid, and there are a few good receivers who’ll quickly be a part of the fun, but there isn’t enough of a splash, Expect the 2022 group to be a whole lot stronger.
7. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois had a way of signing one or three really, really big prospects a year under Lovie Smith, but that’s always dangerous – if they don’t all work out the class is just okay. Bret Bielema didn’t get any time to work in a lost recruiting year, and it’s a smallish class without any true sure-thing superstar.
– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team
NEXT: Every Ten Team’s Star Recruit
Every Big Ten East Team’s Star Recruit
Indiana Hoosiers
QB Donaven McCulley, 6-4, 195
Key Schools In The Running: Iowa, Purdue, Missouri
Other Key Stars: WR Jacquez Smith; S Larry Smith
Maryland Terrapins
LB Terrence Lewis, 6-1, 200
Key Schools In The Running: Alabama, Clemson, Florida
Other Key Stars: DE/LB Demeioun Robinson, LB Branden Jennings
Michigan Wolverines
QB JJ McCarthy, 6-3, 190
Key Schools In The Running: Miami, Penn State, Wisconsin
Other Key Stars: RB Donovan Edwards, OT Giovanni El Hadi
Michigan State Spartans
Ma’a Gaoteote, 6-2, 215
Key Schools In The Running: Oregon, USC, Washington
Other Key Stars: OG Geno VanDeMark, CB Charles Brantley
Ohio State Buckeyes
DE Jack Sawyer, 6-5, 240
Key Schools In The Running: Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State
Other Key Stars: WR Emeka Egbuka, OG Donovan Jackson
Penn State Nittany Lions
OT Landon Tengwall, 6-6, 300
Key Schools In The Running: Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State
Other Key Stars: CB Kalen King, S Jaylen Reed
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
CB Alijah Clark, 6-2, 190
Key Schools In The Running: Boston College, Miami, Michigan
Other Key Stars: LB Khayri Banton, DE Ryan Keeler
Every Big Ten West Team’s Star Recruit
Illinois Fighting Illini
Brody Wisecarver, 6-4, 310
Key Schools In The Running: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State
Other Key Stars: RB Joshua McCray, QB Samari Collier
Iowa Hawkeyes
OT David Davidkov, 6-6, 295
Key Schools In The Running: Ohio State, LSU, Wisconsin
Other Key Stars: OT Connor Colby, WR Keegan Johnson
Minnesota Golden Gophers
WR Lemeke Brockington, 6-0, 195
Key Schools In The Running: Miami, Tennessee, Virginia Tech
Other Key Stars: DE Deven Eastern, S Steven Ortiz
Nebraska Cornhuskers
LB Wynden Ho’ohuli, 6-3, 220
Key Schools In The Running: USC, Washington, Arizona State
Other Key Stars: WR Kamonte Grimes, DE Jailen Weaver
Northwestern Wildcats
LB Mac Uihlein, 6-1, 215
Key Schools In The Running: Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota
Other Key Stars: OT Caleb Tiernan, DE Najee Story
Purdue Boilermakers
LB Yanni Karlaftis, 6-2, 210
Key Schools In The Running: Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State
Other Key Stars: WR Preston Terrell, S Jah’von Grigsby
Wisconsin Badgers
OT Nolan Rucci, 6-8, 295
Key Schools In The Running: Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State
Other Key Stars: OT JP Benzchawel, OT Riley Mahlman
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team
NEXT: Big Ten Recruiting Strengths
Big Ten East Recruiting Strengths
Indiana Hoosiers
Wide Receivers
The skill spots got a whole lot of love, but the stars are for the receiving corps including TE Aaron Steinfeldt to be a part of the offensive fun. QB Donaven McCulley is the future of the passing game, and he has got his targets to grow with.
Maryland Terrapins
Tight Ends
And linebacker. Mike Locksley nailed it for the defensive side with a potentially loaded group of hybrid linebackers coming in, but the area of focus was at tight end with four combining in starting with CJ Dippre and Weston Wolff for the deep class.
Michigan Wolverines
Defensive Linemen
Yeah, quarterback has been a problem, and it’s been a bit spotty at other positions, but Michigan has its share of NFL prospects from the defensive line under Jim Harbaugh. It translated with a big group of defensive ends around a possible anchor of a tackle in Rayshaun Benny.
Michigan State Spartans
Offensive Linemen
It’s a Mel Tucker team so the defense will get its guys, but the offensive line is the main area with the JUCO ranks being hit to go along with enough young parts to build around.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Defensive Backs
The stronger talents might be at wide receiver, but when you’re a factory for NFL defensive backs, you tend to get a whole lot of interest on a national scale. The Buckeyes signed five DBs from five different states – none from Ohio.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Defensive Backs
It’s a smallish overall class for the Nittany Lions, but the defensive backs coming in are talented with four signing on – starting with corner Jalen King – who should play a big role early on the depth chart.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Defensive Ends
The Scarlet Knights were fantastic at getting into the backfield in Greg Schiano’s first year at the helm. Now he’s getting the pass rushers to do even more with four hybrid outside linebacker/ends with a whole lot of speed.
Big Ten West Recruiting Strengths
Illinois Fighting Illini
Defensive Backs
Apparently, Illinois is looking to start stopping other teams from throwing the ball with relative ease. There will be jobs available right away among the five defensive backs coming in. There isn’t one signature star, but it’s a big group that can move.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Offensive Linemen
The Hawkeyes build up their linemen into stars, and they have their share of prospects to work with with five coming in including a few good relatively local talents. None of them will likely be ready right out of the box, but the foundation for the near future is in this class.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Defensive Linemen
There aren’t a ton of them – four D linemen were signed on so far – but that’s a lot compared to what most of the Big Ten brought in, especially for the defensive front. There’s good size, a few okay-looking tackles, and a potential versatile pass rushing threat in Deven Eastern.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Linebackers
Wide receiver is a close second, but the linebacking corps gets the most help with a national class full of athletes. If the idea is to ramp up speed for the defense and to create a group to work the D around, Scott Frost might have just done it.
Northwestern Wildcats
Wide Receivers
The Wildcats are getting a few pass catchers. Jordan Mosley is the best of the bunch, and TE Lawson Albright is a good signing among the group that all is around the same size with a whole lot of quickness.
Purdue Boilermakers
Offensive Linemen
There aren’t a ton coming in, but the ones who are fit what the program likes to do. These aren’t massive people-movers, but there are good athletes – mostly local – who can pass block and do what’s needed to keep the attack rolling.
Wisconsin Badgers
Offensive Linemen
Only a few signed on, but they’re really, really good. Nolan Rucci could’ve gone anywhere, and Riley Mahlman and JP Bezschawel could’ve landed anywhere in the Big Ten. It’s Wisconsin, so these three need a little bit to grow into killers, but talent-wise, here’s your foundation for the future.
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team
NEXT: What’s Missing From Each Team’s Recruiting Class
What’s Missing From Each Team’s Recruiting Class
Big Ten East, What’s Missing?
Indiana Hoosiers
Defensive Linemen
There aren’t any. Cooper Jones is a nice end, and that’s it. There’s nothing for the defensive interior after not bringing in any tackles last year. Combine that with the lack of any bulk bring brought in through the transfer portal, and it’s a future hole.
Maryland Terrapins
Offensive Linemen
There wasn’t any attention paid to the offensive front – just one okay get – after signing six last year and with an already deep area. There were some losses to the depth this offseason, but there wasn’t much of a worry with this recruiting class.
Michigan Wolverines
Defensive Backs
There are a few coming in, but not enough to make any sort of a splash. Call it more of a nod to the defensive backfield without a real push. There’s a reason – the 2020 class landed enough superstar prospects to keep this from being an immediate need.
Michigan State Spartans
Wide Receivers
The position will have to be addressed next year and/or the transfer portal after no receivers were signed. This hasn’t been a big area for the Spartans over the last few classes with enough already in place, but O that could use more pop could use more targets.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Defensive Ends
The one the Buckeyes did sign – everyone’s five-star Jack Sawyer – is sort of a big deal, but he’s it. He’s the next superstar up in the Ohio State pass rushing chain, but there aren’t a ton of ends coming in after signing three last year.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Offensive Backfield
There weren’t the normal array of big-time running backs signed, on and the one quarterback – Christian Veilleux – is a fine recruit, but he’s not a five-star sure-thing superstar. There wasn’t a lot in the 2020 class, either – the O will need to find its stars in the 2022 haul.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Quarterbacks
There are a TON of quarterbacks on the roster, and the transfer portal is also an option, but it would’ve been nice to get one decent recruit who could possibly be the guy to build around. The Greg Schiano era can’t take off without an upgrade at the position in the near future.
Big Ten West, What’s Missing?
Illinois Fighting Illini
Defensive Tackles
Lovie Smith was able to get several decent defensive linemen over the years, but going forward, Bret Bielema has to make the interior Priority One going forward with no true tackles signed on and with the shelves of ends needing to be restocked.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Defensive Backs
Let’s put it this way – there aren’t a lot of sure-thing defensive backs coming in. There are plenty of versatile athletes who’ll move around where needed over the next few years, and there are sure to be a few parts for the secondary in this class, but there isn’t any one guy who’s guaranteed to be in the defensive backfield.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Linebackers
Usually Minnesota brings in a slew of prospects who don’t quite fit a type, but eventually will. Those aren’t there this year outside of Devon Williams, one of the team’s better gets with good range and the upside to play just about anywhere in the corps.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Defensive Tackles
Jailen Weaver is a massive 3-4 defensive end who really is a tackle, and Ru’Quan Buckley will produce no matter if he’s inside or out, but there aren’t a whole lot of other tackle options if the idea is to use those two as ends. It’s nitpicking, the defensive front could use a true space-eater to throw into the mix.
Northwestern Wildcats
Defensive Linemen
There aren’t any defensive tackles coming in, but Najee Story is a great-looking defensive end who should soon be one of the team’s better pass rushers. The last few classes haven’t addressed the defensive interior – that’s coming next year.
Purdue Boilermakers
Offensive Backfield
No true running backs, no quarterbacks. The quarterbacks have been stockpiling over the last few years, and the transfer portal might be the answer in a pinch. It’s running back that’s going to need to be worked on next year and going forward. It would be nice to have a star No. 1 guy to use once in a while.
Wisconsin Badgers
Defensive Tackles
It would’ve been nice to land a five-star-caliber running back, but Jalen Berger was the star get of last year’s class. The Badgers always find big guys for the interior, but only one okay tackle prospect was signed and he’s likely more of an end than a Coke machine.
– 2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team
NEXT: 2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team
2021 Big Ten All-Recruiting Team
These are the guys everyone wanted. They’re the best and the brightest prospects to get fired up about.
OFFENSE
QB Kyle McCord, Ohio State
RB Donovan Edwards, Michigan
RB Treveyon Henderson, Ohio State
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
WR Xavier Worthy, Michigan
TE Louis Hansen, Michigan
OT Nolan Rucci, Wisconsin
OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
C Raheem Anderson, Michigan
OG Greg Crippen, Michigan
OT Landon Tengwall, Penn State
DEFENSE
DE TJ Bollers, Wisconsin
DT Rayshaun Benny, Michigan State
DT Michael Hall, Ohio State
DE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
LB Junior Colson, Michigan
LB Branden Jennings, Maryland
LB Terrence Lewis, Maryland
CB Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
S Alijah Clark, Rutgers
S Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
CB Jakailin Johnson, Ohio State
– Big Ten East Rankings
– Big Ten West Rankings
– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team
