2016 National Signing Day: Big Ten Class Rankings

2016 National Signing Day: Big Ten Class Rankings

By Jason Fletcher

February 3, 2016

National Signing Day has been mighty hectic, but as we wind down one of the biggest days in college football, it’s time to get to some class rankings.

First, we’ll take a look at the Big Ten, which is typically dominated by Ohio State and Michigan. Were the two powerhouses able to claim the top two spots in the conference? Or is there a surprise team to enter the fray? Read further to find out.

arrow-left — For the Boilermakers, Drew Brees isn't walking through that door any time soon and that makes things difficult for head coach Darrell Hazell. It's tough to recruit top players when you can't win games or give kids opportunities to make it to the NFL.

arrow-right — For the Boilermakers, Drew Brees isn't walking through that door any time soon and that makes things difficult for head coach Darrell Hazell. It's tough to recruit top players when you can't win games or give kids opportunities to make it to the NFL.

Advertisement

arrow-left — New head coach Chris Ash had a difficult task this offseason as he had to try and hold onto the recruits that had already committed, plus add a few pieces in a short period of time. He did his best, but next year will be a better judgment of how Ash is able to affect recruiting.

arrow-right — New head coach Chris Ash had a difficult task this offseason as he had to try and hold onto the recruits that had already committed, plus add a few pieces in a short period of time. He did his best, but next year will be a better judgment of how Ash is able to affect recruiting.

arrow-left — Illinois finished National Signing Day with 24 signees, which included 13 three-star athletes. The best of the bunch is tight end Zarrian Holcombe, who they plucked out of Texas.

arrow-right — Illinois finished National Signing Day with 24 signees, which included 13 three-star athletes. The best of the bunch is tight end Zarrian Holcombe, who they plucked out of Texas.

arrow-left — Indiana was one of the surprise teams in the Big Ten in 2015 as Nate Sudfeld had a tremendous season. Head coach Kevin Wilson desperately needed to upgrade the defense with this class and was able to do that with five defensive backs and a couple defensive linemen.

arrow-right — Indiana was one of the surprise teams in the Big Ten in 2015 as Nate Sudfeld had a tremendous season. Head coach Kevin Wilson desperately needed to upgrade the defense with this class and was able to do that with five defensive backs and a couple defensive linemen.

arrow-left — Tracy Claeys has done a marvelous job since taking over for Jerry Kill midseason. He was able to lead the Golden Gophers to a bowl game and now a top-50 recruiting class. Minnesota is on the rise in the Big Ten and the rest of the league better be careful when playing it.

arrow-right — Tracy Claeys has done a marvelous job since taking over for Jerry Kill midseason. He was able to lead the Golden Gophers to a bowl game and now a top-50 recruiting class. Minnesota is on the rise in the Big Ten and the rest of the league better be careful when playing it.

arrow-left — Pat Fitzgerald continues to do things his way and has built a tremendous program at Northwestern. Although he still brought in some nice additions defensively, Fitzgerald knew that he had to improve the offense with this class, and he was able to accomplish that.

arrow-right — Pat Fitzgerald continues to do things his way and has built a tremendous program at Northwestern. Although he still brought in some nice additions defensively, Fitzgerald knew that he had to improve the offense with this class, and he was able to accomplish that.

arrow-left — The Hawkeyes came out of nowhere to make an appearance in the Big Ten championship game and Rose Bowl. Kirk Ferentz has 25 recruits signed with 21 of the three-star variety. He's never needed top talent to have his teams be competitive and that won't change.

arrow-right — The Hawkeyes came out of nowhere to make an appearance in the Big Ten championship game and Rose Bowl. Kirk Ferentz has 25 recruits signed with 21 of the three-star variety. He's never needed top talent to have his teams be competitive and that won't change.

arrow-left — D.J. Durkin spent one season with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan before accepting the offer to become the head man at Maryland. His top three recruits are on offense, where the Terrapins struggled mightily last season.

arrow-right — D.J. Durkin spent one season with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan before accepting the offer to become the head man at Maryland. His top three recruits are on offense, where the Terrapins struggled mightily last season.

arrow-left — Paul Chryst has four four-star recruits headed to Madison. The season didn't end as well as the Badgers would've hoped, but they are trying to make sure that doesn't happen with regularity.

arrow-right — Paul Chryst has four four-star recruits headed to Madison. The season didn't end as well as the Badgers would've hoped, but they are trying to make sure that doesn't happen with regularity.

arrow-left — Mike Riley produced a solid top-30 class in his first full recruiting cycle on campus. The Cornhuskers are in good hands and could return to prominence sooner rather than later.

arrow-right — Mike Riley produced a solid top-30 class in his first full recruiting cycle on campus. The Cornhuskers are in good hands and could return to prominence sooner rather than later.

arrow-left — The biggest weakness in 2015 for Penn State was the offensive line and head coach James Franklin did a tremendous job of hitting that area hard in this class. If the Nittany Lions can make some improvements, 10 wins is not out of the question.

arrow-right — The biggest weakness in 2015 for Penn State was the offensive line and head coach James Franklin did a tremendous job of hitting that area hard in this class. If the Nittany Lions can make some improvements, 10 wins is not out of the question.

arrow-left — The Spartans were exposed in their College Football Playoff game against Alabama, which led to Mark Dantonio bringing in five four-star recruits on offense. That includes a quarterback and four wide receivers.

arrow-right — The Spartans were exposed in their College Football Playoff game against Alabama, which led to Mark Dantonio bringing in five four-star recruits on offense. That includes a quarterback and four wide receivers.

arrow-left — With Rashan Gary, Michigan put a final exclamation point on a top-five recruiting class in Jim Harbaugh's first full recruiting cycle. This Michigan and Ohio State rivalry is about to get really entertaining for a long time.

arrow-right — With Rashan Gary, Michigan put a final exclamation point on a top-five recruiting class in Jim Harbaugh's first full recruiting cycle. This Michigan and Ohio State rivalry is about to get really entertaining for a long time.

arrow-left — With all the headlines surrounding Rashan Gary and Michigan, Ohio State quietly put together the best class in the nation. Urban Meyer continues to excel at both recruiting and coaching, making the Buckeyes the favorites in the Big Ten year in and year out.

arrow-right — With all the headlines surrounding Rashan Gary and Michigan, Ohio State quietly put together the best class in the nation. Urban Meyer continues to excel at both recruiting and coaching, making the Buckeyes the favorites in the Big Ten year in and year out.

Share On Facebook

Share