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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)
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB