How the 2021 B1G recruiting rankings look entering October
Recruiting looks much different than it would in a typical year, but as they say, “the show must go on.”
Coaches have been forced to get creative on the recruiting front with the 2021 class. With a dead period in place since March and the inability to host official and unofficial visits on campus, it’s been a mostly-virtual recruiting class. Contacts have been made via phone calls, text messages, Zoom and social media. There’s been little-to-no face-to-face interaction.
Some programs — like Ohio State — haven’t seen much of a change. The Buckeyes are still landing high-profile commitments left and right, securing one of the top classes in the 2021 cycle. Other programs — like Purdue, Illinois and Indiana — have been hurt by the inability to welcome prospects to campus.
There’s still a few months until the Early Signing Period. Here’s a look at how things stand in the B1G as September comes to an end October arrives.
* All rankings come via 247Sports Composite.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
National rank: No. 2
Total commits: 19
4- and 5-star commits: 16
Highest-ranked recruit: 5-star DE Jack Sawyer (No. 3 overall)
2. Michigan Wolverines
National rank: No. 10
Total commits: 20
4- and 5-star commits: 11
Highest-ranked recruit: 5-star QB J.J. McCarthy (No. 16 overall)
3. Wisconsin Badgers
National rank: No. 16
Total commits: 19
4- and 5-star commits: 7
Highest-ranked recruit: 5-star OT Nolan Rucci (No. 14 overall)
4. Maryland Terrapins
National rank: No. 21
Total commits: 20
4- and 5-star commits: 3
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star DE Demeioun Robinson (No. 58 overall)
5. Iowa Hawkeyes
National rank: No. 22
Total commits: 17
4- and 5-star commits: 3
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star OT David Davidkov (No. 135 overall)
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers
National rank: No. 23
Total commits: 18
4- and 5-star commits: 3
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star TE Thomas Fidone (No. 92 overall)
7. Minnesota Golden Gophers
National rank: No. 27
Total commits: 16
4- and 5-star commits: 4
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star CB Avante Dickerson (No. 122 overall)
8. Penn State Nittany Lions
National rank: No. 34
Total commits: 13
4- and 5-star commits: 6
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star OT Landon Tengwall (No. 46 overall)
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
National rank: No. 38
Total commits: 22
4- and 5-star commits: 1
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star LB Khayri Banton (No. 291 overall)
10. Northwestern Wildcats
National rank: No. 50
Total commits: 14
4- and 5-star commits: 3
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star DE Najee Story (No. 293 overall)
11. Michigan State Spartans
National rank: No. 53
Total commits: 15
4- and 5-star commits: 1
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star OG Geno VanDeMark (No. 326 overall)
12. Indiana Hoosiers
National rank: No. 58
Total commits: 13
4- and 5-star commits: 2
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star WR Jaquez Smith (No. 203 overall)
13. Illinois Fighting Illini
National rank: No. 62
Total commits: 16
4- and 5-star commits: 0
Highest-ranked recruit: 3-star OG Brody Wisecarver (No. 388 overall)
14. Purdue Boilermakers
National rank: No. 84
Total commits: 10
4- and 5-star commits: 1
Highest-ranked recruit: 4-star QB Sam Jackson (No. 335 overall)