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Wisconsin’s 2024 class sits towards the top of the Big Ten in ‘Average Recruit Ranking’

The 2024 recruiting class has reached its crescendo with the month of June now in the rear-view. National Signing Day won’t happen until February of next year, though we see many classes filled before the summer comes to a close in this new recruiting calendar.

That’s been the case for Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers. The program received a slew of commitments after official visits in early June, and appears to be continuing to add even as the calendar turned to July.

The last few weeks are especially of note. The Badgers landed three four-star recruits — OT Emerson Mandell, CB Omillio Agard and RB Darrion Dupree — and brought the class’ blue-chip ratio up to 35%.

More commitments are sure to come for the Badgers and for the rest of the Big Ten. But here today on July 10, let’s take a look at how every class in the conference ranks by average recruit ranking:

(Note: This is the 2024 recruiting class. USC and UCLA are joining the conference that year. It feels weird, but those programs are included in this list)

16. Indiana -- 85.66

Nov 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/indiana/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Indiana Hoosiers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Indiana Hoosiers</a> quarterback Grant Gremel (16) hands the ball off to Indiana Hoosiers running back Charlie Spegal (28) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Gophers won 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 58th (16th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 14

Blue-Chip Recruits: 0

15. Maryland -- 85.95

Nov 5, 2022; Madison, <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/wisconsin/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Wisconsin;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Wisconsin</a>, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/maryland/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Maryland Terrapins;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Maryland Terrapins</a> quarterback <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/players/299006" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Taulia Tagovailoa;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Taulia Tagovailoa</a> (3) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 51st (13th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 14

Blue-Chip Recruits: 1

14: Northwestern -- 86.07

Sep 3, 2021; Evanston, <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/illinois/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Illinois;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Illinois</a>, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/northwestern/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Northwestern Wildcats;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Northwestern Wildcats</a> head coach Pat Fitzgerald reacts after a play against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/michigan-st/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Michigan State Spartans;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Michigan State Spartans</a> during the fourth quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 52nd (14th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 14

Blue-Chip Recruits: 0

13: Illinois -- 86.14

Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/illinois/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Illinois Fighting Illini;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> head coach Bret Bielema greets Wisconsin Badgers head coach Paul Chryst following the game at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 37th (11th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 17

Blue-Chip Recruits: 1

12: Rutgers -- 86.45

Nov 6, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/rutgers/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Rutgers Scarlet Knights;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Rutgers Scarlet Knights</a> head coach Greg Schiano walks on the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 31st (10th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 21

Blue-Chip Recruits: 2

11: Minnesota -- 86.97

Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/minnesota/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Minnesota Golden Gophers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a> head coach P.J. Fleck argues with an official during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 26th (8th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 24

Blue-Chip Recruits: 1

T-9: Iowa -- 87.16

Nov 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/40112" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Riley Moss;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Riley Moss</a> (33) and defensive back <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/40684" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Kaevon Merriweather;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Kaevon Merriweather</a> (26) carry the Heartland Trophy after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 28th (9th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 19

Blue-Chip Recruits: 2

T-9: Nebraska -- 87.16

Nov 20, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/players/299744" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Graham Mertz;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Graham Mertz</a> (5) talks with <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/nebraska/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Nebraska Cornhuskers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Nebraska Cornhuskers</a> quarterback <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/40299" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Adrian Martinez;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Adrian Martinez</a> (2) following the game at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 16th (5th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 23

Blue-Chip Recruits: 5

8: Purdue -- 87.85

Oct 22, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/purdue/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Purdue Boilermakers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Purdue Boilermakers</a> quarterback <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/40138" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Aidan O’Connell;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Aidan O’Connell</a> (16) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 18th (6th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 20

Blue-Chip Recruits: 4

7: UCLA -- 88.09

Oct 2, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/ucla/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:UCLA Bruins;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">UCLA Bruins</a> running back Zach Charbonnet (24) runs the ball against <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/arizona-st/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Arizona State Sun Devils;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Arizona State Sun Devils</a> defensive lineman <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/players/311486" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Joe Moore;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Joe Moore</a> (58) linebacker <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/34536" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Darien Butler;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Darien Butler</a> (20) and linebacker Merlin Robertson (8) during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 57th (15th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 9

Blue-Chip Recruits: 1

6: Michigan State -- 88.12

Nov 5, 2022; Champaign, <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/illinois/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Illinois;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Illinois</a>, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Ma’a Gaoteote (10) recovers a fumble against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 47th (12th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 12

Blue-Chip Recruits: 3

5: Wisconsin -- 88.34

Dec 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 24th (7th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 17

Blue-Chip Recruits: 6

4: Penn State -- 90.16

Nov 12, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/penn-st/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Penn State Nittany Lions;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Penn State Nittany Lions</a> defensive tackle Dvon Ellies (91) carries the American flag onto the field prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 7th (4th in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 22

Blue-Chip Recruits: 14

3: Michigan -- 90.69

Nov 19, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/michigan/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Michigan Wolverines;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Michigan Wolverines</a> Players celebrate after the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 4th (2ndd in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 25

Blue-Chip Recruits: 17

2: USC -- 91.75

Mar 1, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/usc/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:USC football;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">USC football</a> head coach Lincoln Riley attends the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/usc/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:USC Trojans;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">USC Trojans</a> and the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/arizona/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Arizona Wildcats;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Arizona Wildcats</a> men’s basketball game at Galen Center. The Wildcats won 91-71. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 5th (3rd in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 17

Blue-Chip Recruits: 12

1: Ohio State -- 93.49

Sep 24, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/ohio-st/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Ohio State Buckeyes;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Ohio State Buckeyes</a> tight end <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/players/303607" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Cade Stover;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Cade Stover</a> (8) celebrates the touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Ranking: 2nd (1st in the Big Ten)

Total Recruits: 18

Blue-Chip Recruits: 16 (4 five-stars)

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire