Ohio State and Penn State won the Big Ten conference each of the last two seasons, but will that be enough of a selling point for them to have the top recruiting classes in 2018? Even though most schools inked the vast majority of their recruiting class on Early Signing Day on Wednesday, we aren't finished yet. There are still valuable players that can be signed when the last signing period begins on February 7. Will these recruits translate into Big Ten Championships? We'll find out in the years to come. Until then, here are the seven best recruiting classes in the Big Ten after Early Signing Day.
College Football Fans - Download Chat Sports on iPhone today for breaking college football news, rumors, scores and more - Chat Sports iPhone App!
1.) Ohio State
The rich keep getting richer as Ohio State has the top 2018 recruiting class in the Big Ten and the second best in college football. The Buckeyes are headlined by two five-star recruits (DT Taron Vincent, DB Jaelen Gill) and 16 four-star recruits. Head coach Urban Meyer continues to flex his recruiting muscles in 2018.
ATTENTION Buckeye Fans! - FOLLOW and LIKE Ohio State Buckeyes by Chat Sports
2.) Penn State
The Nittany Lions have the second-best class in the Big Ten and fourth best in college football. Head coach James Franklin was able to bring in three five-star recruits including defensive end Micah Parsons, who was originally committed to Ohio State.
ATTENTION Nittany Lion Fans!- FOLLOW and LIKE PSUnrivaled
3.) Michigan
Not a ton of excitement from Ann Arbor, but head coach Jim Harbaugh quietly signed one of the best classes in the country. Michigan doesn't have any five-star recruits yet but they were able to land eight four-stars and eleven three-stars. When you have the 12th best-recruiting class in the country, one has to wonder when the Wolverines will break through.
4.) Maryland
For the first time in school history, the Terps have back-to-back Top 25 recruiting classes. A big reason why is that head coach DJ Durkin has been a recruiting savant with plenty of connections in the D.C. area. The class is made up of 21 three-star recruits and three four-star recruits.
5.) Michigan State
Head coach Mark Dantonio continues to find an abundance of versatile players, which is why they have the fifth-best class in the Big Ten and the 24th best in the country. The Spartans were able to get their hands on four four-star recruits and 16 three stars.
6.) Minnesota
Head coach P.J. Fleck worked wonders at Western Michigan taking them from 1-11 his first year to 13-1 in 2016. In Fleck's first season, the Gophers went 5-7 - but after a solid 2018 recruiting class, he will look to improve Minnesota. Even though they are sixth in the Big Ten, the Gophers have the 30th best class in the country.
7.) Iowa
It just goes to show how good football in the Big Ten is right now when the seventh-best class ranks 34th in the entire country. Iowa was only able to sign one four-star recruit but they did land 16 three-star recruits.
Follow our NCAA page for all the latest college football news & rumors!
Mitchell Renz is the Senior Writer & On-Air Host at Chat Sports check out his article archive and live videos on Chat Sports Facebook page. Please follow him on Twitter @MitchellRenz365.
Back to the Big Ten Newsfeed