Big Ten rankings

From Rivals.com, with national rank in parentheses.

1. Ohio State (3)

• Buckeyes landed eight of Rivals.com's top 100 players. The rest of the league combined to sign six. Biggest catch might be Raekwon McMillan, who some scouting services called the best linebacker in the nation.

2. Michigan State (22)

• Spartans' key get was DL Malik McDowell of Southfield, Mich. Class is considered MSU's best since 2009.

3. Penn State (24)

• New coach James Franklin made most of limited recruiting time. He picked up five players who had committed to Vanderbilt, his previous employer.

4. Michigan (31)

• Wolverines got Big Ten's best recruit in CB Jabrill Peppers. But overall ranking was a big drop. Michigan had been in top four in past two years.

5. Nebraska (32)

• Cornhuskers look south, with 15 recruits from states that have SEC schools.

6. Wisconsin (33)

• Four-star OL Jaden Gault heads Badgers' class. Dual-threat QB D.J. Gillins already is enrolled.

7. Indiana (37)

• Hoosiers get strong class with QB Zander Diamont, the Los Angeles city player of the year, and RB Tommy Mister, the Chicago Catholic League MVP.

8. Gophers (53)

• Keeping RB Jeff Jones in-state was huge. Gophers move up from last in Big Ten rankings in 2012 and ' 13.

9. Maryland (54)

• Five-star OL Damian Price boosted Terrapins' stock.

10. Rutgers (57)

• Scarlet Knights had 12 players back out on verbal commitments.

11. Iowa (61)

• Hawkeyes land QB Tyler Wiegers, considered among the nation's top pro-style passers.

12. Northwestern (69)

• QB Clayton Thorson of Wheaton, Ill., and RB Auston Anderson of Plano, Texas, were key catches.

13. Illinois (72)

• Coach Tim Beckman landed a group heavy on defense and receivers and peppered with junior college transfers.

14. Purdue (75)

• Danny Blough likely will hear comparisons to another ex-Purdue QB from Texas, Drew Brees.

Staff, News Services