This week we looking briefly through each recruitment class and gave a grade corresponding with how it lived up. However, in this post, we will go deeper as to which players are the the best recruited and those who are underrated out of the class. If you are looking to better know the player that will further impact your team, then this is the way to do it.
Big 10 East Division
Indiana:
Crown Jewel of the Class: RB Sampson Jones
Sampson Jones brings a lot to the realm of a running back and is a perfect fit for most offenses. His speed and physicality would land him in a “hybrid” category for running backs. His commitment from Ohio State shows that he is ready to be the sole focus of an offense.
Underrated Player: DT Juan Harris
If you have watched any of Last Chance U on Netflix, then you might remember this name. Harris is a JUCO from Independence that is showing he can use just more than his name to land him spots. He sits at 6″3 and 360, which will be a lot for any offensive linemen to handle.
Overview of the Rest:
The Hoosiers brought in a well-rounded class that will help them win some Big Ten games. Also, with big names like Sampson Jones and Beau Robbins, they have the potential to go far in bigger games. Not fantastic, but a true showing of how the Hoosiers are growing.
Maryland:
Crown Jewel of the Class: WR Isaiah Hazel
This athlete in Hazel truly has a guilty pleasure in making his defensive counterparts looking clueless. He uses his immense speed to throw off corners and safeties alike. Watch for Isaiah Hazel to become an instant impact player for this team in the coming two years.
Underrated Player: APB Jordan Houston
Houston won’t have to compete with many in his skill spot in the backfield. The speed that is related to Houston is the true staple of his game. His presence on the Maryland team will be clear come the next couple of years.
Overview of the Rest:
This team needs to do so some work with recruiting their own state. Their is so much talent in the DMV area and upper-Baltimore area that Maryland fails to recruit. However, this was a below-average class for the Terrapins.
Michigan:
Crown Jewel of the Class: S Daxton Hill
When Michigan’s year doesn’t go as planned, they kick it up in recruiting to make sure they have a better year. Hill is a strong, speedy safety that doesn’t leave wide open receivers alone. This one will become an instant impact on the Wolverine defense to help land a Big Ten Championship.
Underrated Player: QB Cade McNamara
It is good to see that Michigan is looking at life after Shea Patterson and landed a big time quarterback. McNamara will bring in a wide array of mobile sense that he can use in a collapsing pocket or well protected one. Michigan fans need to be ready for instant results once it is Cade’s time.
Overview of the Rest:
The Wolverines are really wanting that taste of Big Ten Championship with this class. There is no doubt in my mind that Harbaugh worked vigorously with these recruits to instill his plan. Great class that Michigan threw together and maybe the best in the conference.
Michigan State:
Crown Jewel of the Class: OG Devontae Dobbs
Dobbs can truly call himself the best offensive guard in this year’s rankings of linemen. He stands at 6″4 and weights 304 pounds, which will ensure that Michigan State’s backfield is protected well. Spartan fans will most likely paste over his name, but they’ll love to have him around.
Underrated Player: DE Michael Fletcher
This was a player that most teams up north knew about with recruiting. However, the hometown boy out of Flint, Michigan will continue his defensive reign at home. Fletcher will display his superb size and speed with the Spartan’s defense coming soon enough.
Overview of the Rest:
This class went deep, but when you view the depth it shows that it is less impressive then wanted. It will show to have a good base for the Spartans for the future. This was an average class for the Spartans with a couple of big recruits to bounce the perception of it.
Ohio State:
Crown Jewel of the Class: DE Zach Harrison
If an athlete can tower above his teammates and still keep up with the linebackers speed wise, you have yourself a diamond. Harrison has been heavily recruited by almost every big-time team this offseason. Watch for Zach Harrison to use his speed and strength in the trenches for Ohio State.
Underrated Player: LB Tommy Eichenberg
Eichenberg is a sizable linebacker that can hold his own when it comes to covering the pass and run. He is an Ohio athlete and will translate his high school success when coming into college. Look for Eichenberg to become an important defensive play maker for the Buckeyes.
Overview of the Rest:
This class isn’t necessarily the prettiest to look at when it comes to rankings. However, any Buckeye fan knows that Ohio State is a place for development when it comes to football players. This class will become the new set of leaders for Ohio State and their true skills will come out.
Penn State:
Crown Jewel of the Class: LB Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith has stood out as the best player in Virginia and intends to bring this to State College. His size is a big reason why so many schools had sought out after him; he stands at 6’4 and weighs 228 pounds. The Nittany Lions will have a good defensive piece to work around with Smith.
Underrated Player: RB Noah Cain
Penn States have been feeling bad ever since losing Saquon Barkley to theh draft. However, there long awaited patience for a good running back might pay off with Cain. Cain isn’t known as a power back, but he means all business when he gets in the offensive back field.
Overview of the Rest:
This was a great recruiting class all around for the Nittany Lions. James Franklin has done a great job as of recently with his recruits. This was one of the better classes out of Penn State in the recent times.
Rutgers:
Crown Jewel of the Class: RB Aaron Young
Young is a scary running back when it comes to the open field tackles. he can change direction very quickly and accelerate at a high rate. If Rutgers is going to change their luck anytime soon, it will be because of Aaron Young.
Underrated Player: OT Omari Cooper
Rutgers has had a bad time with the offensive line within the past couple of years. They might start to turn this around with Cooper, who is stands at an imposing 6″5. I feel that Cooper will be a standout linemen for this struggling program.
Overview of the Rest:
Once again a lacking group of recruits from this team in terms of Big Ten play. It brings in a great pair of running backs that should help open up its offense. Nothing to great to look at for Rutgers, but it is showing an improvement year by year.
Big Ten West Division
Illinois:
Crown Jewel of the Class: WR Marquez Beason
When a top-100 wide receiver is known for his speed, it means there is some substance behind it. Beason is a smaller receiver, but can speed down the field on missed tackles or blown coverage. I think we are seeing a trend of good offensive weapons going to Illinois.
Underrated Player: DE Keith Randolph
Randolph will bring a lot of size to the edge spot for the Illini on defense. With being 6″5 as a defensive end, it becomes difficult for offensive linemen to stop the power. I think Illinois got a real surprise with bringing in Keith Randolph on defense.
Overview of the Rest:
I think we saw a small shifting for the better with the Illini this season. With these big time recruits at the top of the board, Illinois is trending upward. I think this is a group that will bring in the fans and excite this program.
Iowa:
Crown Jewel of the Class: OT Ezra Miller
The Hawkeyes had some troubles on the outside with offensive linemen, this should end those problems. Miller is a huge force standing at 6″6 and weighing in at 305 pounds. It’ll be no surprise to see Iowa return to a heavier run team.
Underrated Player: S Sebastian Castro
On a team that prides itself on tough and physical, Sebastian Castro will stand out. Castro brings in a sense of great IQ and power to the safety position. Look out for Castro to jump up the ranks and make a name for himself towards his senior year.
Overview of the Rest:
This recruiting class focused heavily on the offensive line and corner spots alike. This mean we should see another emergence of Iowa within the next few years. This will stand as an average class, but will develop into a better team as time goes.
Minnesota:
Crown Jewel of the Class: DT Rashad Cheney
You might think with a player of this caliber that he’d choose a bigger school like Alabama or Georgia. However, this explosive linemen will drive his power into the offensive linemen. The Golden Gophers should be better on defense come the next few years.
Underrated Player: QB Jacob Clark
Clark has shown that he can think quickly in the pocket and shift to better passing positions. The Minnesota offense should have no trouble in building a better offense with Clark. It will be an interesting line to watch in how Clark develops into a leading quarterback.
Overview of the Rest:
This class should be forming into a better shaped team in the Big Ten West. I am liking what PJ Fleck is doing to this northern team and the recruitment shows. Minnesota got a very underrated class with this group of individuals.
Nebraska:
Crown Jewel of the Class: LB Nick Henrich
A sheer force of strong and physical wrapped into a linebacker. Henrich stands taller than most linebackers, but still balls out like he is at the top of the list. Nebraska got a real young stud with this pick up on the defensive side.
Underrated Player: TE Chris Hickman
Hickman doesn’t display himself as a traditional tight end that helps the running back get by. Instead, Chris Hickman is more fitting of an over sized wide receiver that could benefit on off-the-line routes. Nebraska needs to develop Hickman well and they could get a gem out of him.
Overview of the Rest:
Remember those days when Nebraska could win the Big Ten any year? I think we are heading back in that direction soon. Scott Frost is doing a great job recruiting and bringing a good set of future pieces.
Northwestern:
Crown Jewel of the Class: WR Bryce Kirtz
Kirtz is looking to become a very dangerous threat in the wide receiver category. In prep for the college level, Kirtz added 40 pounds of size to build on speed and strength. I think the Wildcats will have no troubles finding a spot for this young athlete.
Underrated Player: DE Adetomiwa Adebawore
The type of edge rusher we get out of Adebawore is a compact, but powerful rusher. This edge rusher sits at 6″1.5 and weighs 251 pounds to make sure he is suitable enough to compete against Big Ten tackles. Nebraska got a steal with this perfect edge rusher for their system.
Overview of the Rest:
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.
Purdue:
Crown Jewel of the Class: DE George Karlaftis
For being the best high school recruit out of Indiana, Purdue is getting all they could bargain for. A large edge rusher that brings an equal sense of speed and power to battle tackles and ends. Purdue will try to use Karlaftis and rely on him heavily come the next few years.
Underrated Player: CB Cameron Allen
It is no doubt that Purdue had their defensive secondary troubles this season on big plays. Cameron Allen should solve some of these problems as he was the 24th highest recruit out of Virginia. Watch for Allen to make a name for himself among the fans.
Overview of the Rest:
Purdue is on the rise, plain and simple. Jeff Brohm is doing an amazing job at bringing in big time recruits to help the Boilermakers go back into Top-25 status. Look out for the Boilermakers to do some damage next year in the Big Ten.
Wisconsin:
Crown Jewel of the Class: OT Logan Brown
I don’t think there will be much worries come the next few years pocket-wise for the Badger’s QB and RB. Brown is a major role player on the offensive line in high school, but he will become an even better piece at Wisconsin. The Badgers got this one and it is well deserved.
Underrated Player: RB Julius Davis
This young athlete in Julius Davis mimics some of the attributes we saw out of Johnathan Taylor. He is fast in open space and can power through the defenders that try to bring him down. Wisconsin fans should rejoice with such a steal in the recruitment trail.
Overview of the Rest:
Wisconsin shows they can still pull in a steady stream of good recruits, but nothing too high up. They got good offensive weapons to help out with life after Johnathan Taylor. Badgers fans should be excited for the potential success they can have.
Photo Credits: http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/466173232012/Big_Ten_Conference/2012/Alternate_Logo
