Grading 2019 College Football Early Signing Classes: Big 10

The Big 10 conference all in all had a successful 2019 recruiting class as a whole. 2 teams cracked the Top 10 and there’s a ton of teams that rank in the 20’s and 30’s. The conference is inching it’s way closer to SEC for the top spot and have some teams showing out in 2019.

Big 10 West:

Illinois:

Illinois is headlined by two extremely talented in Marquez Beason and Isiah Williams. Those two should be able to bring some excitement to the program whatever positions they’ll be playing. Illinois wanted to really stress skill positions in this class (which isn’t that normal) as half of the class are players that can play on the outside or in the backfield on offense. 4 Star Shammond Cooper is committed but not signed yet, so that could help. It’s an okay class with two stars and the rest just solid commits. Class Ranking: C+

Iowa:

Iowa is known for two things. Excellent CB play and a road paving Offensive Line. They addressed O-Line in a way big way by having 3 of their 5 top players are on the line. Iowa went offense heavy in this class by signing 12 on O and 4 along the line. Alex Padilla is the QB in this class with 64 TD’s in his final two years at Cherry Creek High in Englewood, CO. Nationally, this class is well above average, but due to the strong recruiting from the Big 10, it wont get a higher rating than a TCU or a North Carolina due to their ranking in the conferece. Class Ranking: B

Minnesota:

You look at Minnesota’s recruiting class and think, how are they 39th? A lot of their commits are high 3 stars that with the recruiting evaluations coming up, should move up quite a few of commits. I expect 3 of the 88 rated make the jump to 89 or 90 and be a 4 star. The class headlined by a duo of DT in Rashad Cheney and Keonte Schad. I’ve been a believer of PJ Fleck since 2016 and his “Row the Boat” at Western Michigan went viral. I believe he can change the program and more of these classes gives him a chance to play with the top of the league. Class Ranking: B-.

Nebraska:

Even with a season to forget on the field, Nebraska still cashed in off the field with a bunch of high rated players that will bring depth. Adrian Martinez gets some help with APB Wandale Robinson, OT Bryce Benhart, ATH Darien Chase, and ATH Luke McCaffrey (brother of Christian). Luke was primarily used as a receiver at Littleton, so let’s say he plays either WR or RB. Nebraska either worked on the O-Line or skill position on offense and defense as that is what over half of the staff consists of. Even though Nebraska is always really good at recruiting, even after a season like that, pulling a near Top 20 national ranked class is very impressive. Class Ranking: B+.

Purdue:

Another young coach in the conference came into his first recruiting class and knocked it out of the park. Even though they got thrashed by Auburn in the bowl game, Purdue was still winning in the month of December. Nebraska finishing #22 is reasonable. Purdue finishing in the Top 25 shows this program is on the rise and a threat. Rondale Moore got some more help outside with 4 star’s David Bell and Milton Wright. Purdue also signed a top 50 nationally ranked DE George Karlaftis. This class is loaded with star power and gives Jeff Brohm some more pieces to work with. By far the biggest team surprise in the Big 10 has been Purdue. Class Ranking: B+.

Northwestern:

This isn’t a neccesarily bad class that has potential. But a class with zero 4 stars in a conference like the Big 10 won’t rank you very highly. They have 6-5 monster WR Genson Hooper-Price and Bryce Kirtz as the two high 3 star rated products. Those two are the lone two I can see getting raises though. I’m not quite sure how this class is #45 in the nation and 11th in the conference. Considering they were dead last in the big 10 recruiting class last year and have found ways to make postseason appearances, Northwestern is improving. Class Ranking: C-.

Wisconsin:

It’s just a situation where their are so many Big 10 teams lumped up together that Wisconsin had a good class, but still finished middle of the pack. For example, Arizona has the 6th ranked recruiting class in the Pac 12, but is 47th Nationally Ranked. Wisconsin is 28th. Wisconsin secured a future All-American and anchor at Tackle with 5 Star Logan Brown out of Grand Rapids, MI. They also got the top player in the state of Kansas with QB Graham Mertz. Wisconsin continues to show that they can recruit and recruit well, even with keeping the same offense as they have for so long. Class Ranking: B+.

Big 10 East:

Indiana:

Indiana has an interesting class with some good positions among the top. RB Sampson James is the highest rated player in the class as a 92 and is from Avon, IN. Other impact players like DE Beau Robbins and OLB Cameron Williams can help. All in all, it’s an average class with some players that can do some damage in the Big 10. Nothing fantastic, but some solid players. Class Ranking: C+.

Maryland:

Maryland’s recruiting class has been one to forget so far. The Terrapins have 11 commits so far and only 6 of them have signed their LOI. Most of 2018 has been a year to forget for the Terrapins (outside of an upset win back in week 1 against Sugar Bowl Champs, Texas). WR Isiah Hazel is the lone 4 star in this class and will more than likely be the only one. It’s not the worst class out of all the Power 5’s, but Maryland’s got some work to do if they want to somehow get this class to respectable. Class Ranking: D.

Michigan:

The biggest W of the recruiting cycle for Michigan was the signing day stunner of 5 Star S Daxton Hill decommitting from Alabama and re-committing back to Michigan. After finishing 3rd in the conference a year ago, Michigan finished with highest ranked class including other big time stars like RB Zach Charbonnet, DT Chris Hinton, G Nolan Rumler, and DT Mazi Smith. All of which are very highly rated 4 stars. They DB heavy in this cycle by picking up 7 commits in the back end including another 4 star in Jalen Perry. Michigan got a great class and will help towards Jim Harbaugh’s search for a Big 10 Title. Class Ranking: A.

Michigan State:

This wasn’t necessarily a bad class for Michigan State. But a lot of this class is held up by 2 players. 5 Star Devontae Dobbs and 96 rated CB Julian Barnett. The rest of the group are average-slightly above average 3 stars. Michigan State usually has more depth in their classes, so it comes as a surprise when the Spartans finished 6th through the first signing period. Michigan State does have some players on the board and can improve. But from a Michigan State standard, it was a below average class. Class Ranking: B.

Ohio State:

Ohio State fans will tell you it’s a below average class. To me, it’s a really good class with a very talented player at just about every position. Led by 5 stars, DE Zach Harrison, WR Garrett Wilson and C Harry Miller. It’s a really good class with some players that could end up better than what their ranking says. Really good class, but not quite Top 10 in the nation good. Class Ranking: A-.

Penn State:

James Franklin is rolling in recruiting right now as the 2019 class finishes 2nd in the conference for back to back seasons. The only negative so far is that they still do have 7 players that have not signed their LOI yet. That’s a little under half of their class. I’m not sure if those prospects are still waiting their options or just wanted to move it to February, but it is something to keep your eye on. The class is led by 5 star ILB Brandon Smith and high 4 star, Noah Cain from IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. It will be interesting to see what happens on the 2nd signing day, but for now this is an excellent class for Penn State. Class Ranking: A.

Rutgers:

Rutgers was the laughing stock of College Football in 2018. Their 2 highest rated players are a pair or RB’s in 87 Rated Aaron Young and 86 rated Kay’ron Adams. There’s some players that will make their way into the starting 11, but for the most part, it’s depth and guys that their only offer was from Rutgers. Overall it wasn’t the worst class in the conference as it’s back to back seasons they’ve finished 13 of 14 in the conference. Class Ranking: D+.

Image Credit: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2017/11/88752/ohio-state-and-wisconsin-end-zones-painted-and-ready-to-go-for-big-ten-title-game

---