Ranking the Big Ten’s 2024 recruiting classes
The 2024 cycle is beginning to heat up, with a number of high-profile commits already headed to the Big Ten conference.
Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan are unsurprisingly near the top of the list with incoming talent. Wisconsin added a few stars of its own. Iowa experienced a recent surge with a number of exciting defensive prospects.
New coaches, such as Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, have been playing catch-up as they fill out their class.
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Here is how the Big Ten classes rank according to the 247Sports team rankings for the 2024 cycle:
Indiana Hoosiers: 2 commits, 1 three-star
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen walks along the sideline during the fourth quarter of a NCAA Division I football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Doesn’t that magical COVID-19 season seem like a long time ago for Indiana? The recruiting continues to trend downward for the Hoosiers.
Northwestern Wildcats: 1 commit, 1 three-star
Aug. 27, 2022; Dublin, Ireland; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Ryan Hilinski with the trophy after defeating Nebraska in the Aer Lingus college football series at Aviva Stadium. Brendan Moran-USA TODAY Sports
Can the Wildcats return to relevance? It has been a slow start to their 2024 class.
Illinois Fighting Illini: 3 commits, 3 three-stars
Oct. 29, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
The Illini had a resurgent 2022 season and are looking to carry that momentum into their 2024 class.
Michigan State Spartans: 4 commits, 2 four-stars
Oct. 15, 2022; East Lansing; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) catches a touchdown pass in spite of Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) in a second overtime period to win the game, 34-28, at Spartan Stadium. Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
The situation is not looking great in East Lansing. The Spartans’ starting quarterback and best receiver are both gone in a surprising offseason turn of events.
Maryland Terrapins: 5 commits, 5 three-stars
Oct. 30, 2020; College Park; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Dontay Demus Jr. (7) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Terrapins have brought in a few commits and will add talent as the weeks progress.
Nebraska Cornhuskers: 6 commits, 1 four-star
Nov. 28, 2022; Omaha; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule at the introductory press conference at the Hawks Championship Center on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Matt Rhule’s initial class, and he has some catching up to do.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 8 commits, 1 four-star
Oct. 30, 2021; Champaign, Illinois; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
It has been a strong start for Rutgers in the cycle as it looks to get back to Big Ten relevance.
Purdue Boilermakers: 8 commits, 1 four-star
Oct. 22, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell (16) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Boilers have a new young head coach, Ryan Walters, to lead the charge.
Wisconsin Badgers: 8 commits, 1 four-star
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell chats with an official during The Launch, the Badger football team’s intrasquad scrimmage at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, on Saturday April 22, 2023.
Luke Fickell has had a successful start to his recruiting campaign.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: 11 commits, 11 three-stars
Minnesota head football coach P.J. Fleck waves to the University of Iowa ChildrenÕs Hospital after the first quarter against Iowa during the NCAA Big 10 conference football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Gophers are building a big class in 2024.
Iowa Hawkeyes: 10 commits, 2 four-stars
Oct. 30, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa has been the pleasant surprise of the early stages in the 2024 cycle.
Penn State Nittany Lions: 13 commits, 1 five-star
Nov. 12, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Dvon Ellies (91) carries the American flag onto the field prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
No Sean Clifford, no problem so far for the Nittany Lions on the trail.
Ohio State Buckeyes: 13 commits, 2 five-stars
March 9, 2023; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) throws during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
The Buckeyes continue to be the class of Big Ten recruiting.
Michigan Wolverines: 16 commits, 1 five-star
April 2, 2022; Ann Arbor; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh listens in as quarterback Alan Bowman (15) huddles up the offense during the Spring game at Michigan Stadium. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Wolverines are putting something special together in 2024 as they continue to be at the top of Big Ten recruiting.
