The Big Ten currently holds the second-most ESPN 300 commitments among all Power 5 conferences with 54, behind only the SEC, which has 116.
The conference also has five teams ranked in the top 25 of the Class Rankings and 10 ranked in the top 40. Some teams not typically near the top of the rankings have stepped up their recruiting efforts, including Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Michigan sits atop the rankings at No. 4 overall and is on pace to finish first in the Big Ten for the first time since ESPN started its class rankings in 2007. Ohio State has held on to that title each year but currently has the No. 12 class overall.
The conference is adding some playmakers and some early-impact prospects for next season. Here is a look at where each team in the Big Ten stands on the recruiting trail.
1. Michigan
Class rank: 4
Top commit: Five-star S Daxton Hill
Total commits: 27
ESPN 300 commits: 13
The Wolverines have the top-ranked class in the conference in what is somewhat of a bounce-back class after Michigan finished No. 20 in the 2018 cycle. Jim Harbaugh made some coaching changes before the 2018 season, adding Ed Warinner and Sherrone Moore and giving assistant Chris Partridge more recruiting responsibilities.
Those changes, along with the efforts of director of recruiting Matt Dudek, helped produce this class for Michigan. Hill, who committed to Michigan early on then flipped to Alabama and back to Michigan on signing day, is an important piece.
The class is full of prospects who could help Michigan early, especially along the defensive line -- and more specifically at defensive tackle. Michigan is losing Bryan Mone and Aubrey Solomon on the interior but is bringing in ESPN 300 defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who is already on campus and could see early playing time. ESPN 300 defensive tackle Christopher Hinton should also have an opportunity to play early.
Outside of those positions, Michigan isn't losing much where there isn't significant depth behind them. Hill might have an opportunity to play early given his talent level as the No. 13 ranked prospect overall, and there might be opportunity for ESPN 300 running back Zach Charbonnet, but Michigan will have enough on the roster that the coaches don't need most of the prospects to play right away.
2. Ohio State
Class rank: 12
Top commit: Five-star DE Zach Harrison
Total commits: 17
ESPN 300 commits: 9
Urban Meyer retired before the early signing period, handing the keys over to new coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes didn't see a big negative impact from Meyer's retirement in the 2019 class, probably because the buildup to that decision had spanned the entire season.
Day's first big commitment came from Harrison, who chose Ohio State over Michigan. That was a huge statement from the new coach, especially since Harrison is the top-ranked prospect in Ohio.
The class doesn't have the quantity we typically see from Ohio State, which partially has to do with scholarship availability and partially from the season-long rumors about Meyer leaving the program. The class does have quality, though, as there are three ESPN 300 wide receivers -- Garrett Wilson, Ronnie Hickman and Jameson Williams -- and excellent offensive line prospects Harry Miller, Doug Nester and Ryan Jacoby among the haul. Nester hasn't signed yet and is entertaining other programs, so keeping him in the class should be a priority for this staff.
After losing record-setting quarterback Dwayne Haskins to the NFL draft, Day made another huge statement by landing Georgia quarterback transfer Justin Fields, who was the No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2018 class. Fields is petitioning the NCAA to gain immediate eligibility, which would be a big boost for the Buckeyes' offense.
3. Penn State
Class rank: 13
Top commit: ESPN 300 LB Brandon Smith
Total commits: 20
ESPN 300 commits: 9
The Nittany Lions had the No. 4 class in 2018 but have dipped a little to 13 for the 2019 cycle. That's still an impressive ranking, considering James Franklin has seen his offensive coordinator, receivers coach and running backs coach leave for other programs over the past year.
The staff is now going to have to deal with losing quarterback Trace McSorley and running back Miles Sanders, the Nittany Lions' top two rushers from this past season. The coaches are also losing a lot to the transfer market. Dae'Lun Darien, Zech McPhearson, Isaiah Humphries, Sterling Jenkins, Jarvis Miller, Juwan Johnson, Brandon Polk and Lamont Wade have all either already transferred or are in the transfer portal.
Starting defensive tackle Kevin Givens is off to the NFL, and defensive backs Amani Oruwariye and Nick Scott are graduating. That is a lot of production on offense and defense to replace, but there is depth behind those players and recruits in this class to help soften that blow.
Penn State landed two ESPN 300 quarterbacks in the class in Michael Johnson Jr. and Ta'Quan Robinson to help build competition for Tommy Stevens and Sean Clifford. The staff also brought in junior college offensive lineman Anthony Whigan and junior college safety Jaquan Brisker, both ranked in the top 50 of the juco rankings, to try to help immediately.
4. Nebraska
Class rank: 23
Top commit: ESPN 300 QB Luke McCaffrey
Total commits: 26
ESPN 300 commits: 5
The Cornhuskers have landed at least four ESPN 300 commitments in each of their last four classes, including 2019. This class is on par rankings-wise with Nebraska's previous four classes, but this one feels a little different with Scott Frost as head coach.
The top prospects in the class are excellent additions to the roster. McCaffrey, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey and current Michigan quarterback Dylan McCaffrey, is joined by ESPN 300 safety Noa Pola-Gates, ESPN 300 offensive tackle Bryce Benhart and ESPN 300 linebacker Nick Henrich.
One of the more intriguing commitments, though, is ESPN 300 athlete Wandale Robinson, who flipped his commitment from Kentucky to Nebraska. Robinson works with the same trainer as Purdue freshman All-American Rondale Moore, and many see Robinson having a similar impact on on the Nebraska offense.
As there are a few offensive linemen coming off the roster, the staff is bringing in ESPN JC 50 junior college offensive lineman Desmond Bland, who should be able to contribute early on the interior of the line.
Nebraska showed improvement on the field late in the season, and this class should add to the that foundation. It isn't a spectacularly flashy class, but Frost has proved what he can do with recruits who fit his system.
5. Purdue
Class rank: 25
Top commit: ESPN 300 DE George Karlaftis
Total commits: 26
ESPN 300 commits: 3
This is the highest-ranked class Purdue has had since ESPN started ranking recruiting classes in 2009, and it boasts the most ESPN 300 commitments the Boilermakers have ever had in one class.
That is quite the feat for Jeff Brohm, Eron Hodges and the recruiting staff at Purdue. The class is led by Karlaftis, who had many Big Ten teams coming after him, including Michigan and Ohio State.
The West Lafayette, Indiana, native decided to stay home, though, and sign with Purdue along with ESPN 300 wide receivers David Bell and Milton Wright. The class also has four-star athlete T.J. Sheffield, four-star defensive tackle Steven Faucheux and four-star safety Marvin Grant.
It's an excellent class for a team that seems a few pieces away from moving up in the conference on the field. The Boilermakers upset Ohio State in 2018 and won some big games but ultimately finished 6-6 in the regular season. Adding some of these prospects to the roster could help move Brohm further along in his quest to rebuild this team.
6. Michigan State
Class rank: 28
Top commit: Five-star OT Devontae Dobbs
Total commits: 22
ESPN 300 commits: 2
The Spartans have two big in-state commitments inDobbs and ESPN 300 cornerback Julian Barnett in this class. Dobbs is a five-star, ranked No. 12 overall and is coming in with an ideal situation along the offensive line.
Michigan State returns essentially all of its starters along the line, which means Dobbs isn't going to have to rush his development. If he can get on the field early, it would be a big help to a position group that had injuries and struggles in 2018, but he won't have the pressure to step in right away.
The offense in general had its issues in 2018, and the staff is adding some potential help for the future in running backs Anthony Williams Jr. and Brandon Wright and wide receivers Tre'von Morgan, Jase Bowen, Tre Mosley and Alante Brown.
On defense, Barnett could have an opportunity to play early in some capacity, whether it's filling in for the departing Justin Layne at corner or on special teams. There likely won't be many other starting opportunities on defense, which fits into how coach Mark Dantonio would prefer to build the program, through development in the system.
7. Wisconsin
Class rank: 29
Top commit: ESPN 300 OT Logan Brown
Total commits: 19
ESPN 300 commits: 2
Wisconsin didn't have the season it had hoped for, going 7-5 in the regular season, but that didn't impact its recruiting efforts. Ranked 29th overall, this is the highest-ranked class Wisconsin has had since 2014.
The staff was able to land Brown out of Michigan, ranked No. 15 overall. Brown should fit into the mold of the outstanding offensive linemen that have come through Madison, and since Wisconsin is losing starters David Edwards, Michael Deiter and Beau Benzschawel, there could be an opportunity to play early.
The biggest get in the class could end up being ESPN 300 quarterback Graham Mertz, the No. 1-ranked pocket passer in the class.
Wisconsin hasn't had a quarterback of Mertz's caliber since Russell Wilson transferred in, and though starter Alex Hornibrook returns, Mertz could have a shot at starting his freshman season.
There are some holes that need to be filled on defense, but this is a really good class that should bring the Wisconsin offense closer to the production of the always-stout defense.
8. Minnesota
Class rank: 33
Top commit: ESPN 300 DT Rashad Cheney
Total commits: 24
ESPN 300 commits: 1
P.J. Fleck raised the level of recruiting at Minnesota, landing the 30th-ranked class in 2018, up from 58 in 2017. Fleck and his staff are hovering around the same area again in 2019 at No. 33 overall.
This time around, the coaches have the benefit of a young roster that is really only losing two starters on offense and three on defense. There are a lot of sophomores and freshmen on this team, as Minnesota brought in 25 prospects in 2017, 25 in 2018 and now 24 in this class.
One of the departures on defense is at defensive tackle, where the staff has ESPN 300 defensive tackle Cheney committed as well as juco tackle Keonte Schad, which should provide some immediate help. If that wasn't enough, defensive tackles Kristian Williams, Logan Richter and DeAngelo Carter provide even more depth.
Help in the secondary is also on the way with juco cornerback Kelvin Clemmons coming in at 6 feet, 200 pounds. He should be able to add competition to a defensive backfield that could use it.
This class has the benefit of experience in front of it on the roster, but there are a few pieces that could help improve certain areas immediately, especially on defense. The defense had issues this past season and was a focus for the staff in recruiting.
9. Iowa
Class rank: 35
Top commit: ESPN 300 OT Tyler Endres
Total commits: 20
ESPN 300 commits: 2
Iowa is losing its top three receivers in tight ends Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson and receiver Nick Easley, who combined for 16 receiving touchdowns in 2018. The Hawkeyes are also losing two starting offensive linemen, but outside of that, the offense will return quite a bit from this past season.
The defense is losing four defensive linemen, including Anthony Nelson, as well as safeties Amani Hooker and Jake Gervase. That's Iowa's top three tacklers from 2018. Hooker was tied for the most interceptions as well with four.
Luckily for Iowa, the coaches recruit to develop players, and there is quite a bit of depth at each spot. The staff has landed 24, 22, 23 and now 20 commitments in the last four classes, and this 2019 class is pretty balanced as well.
The top two commits are offensive tackles in Endres and Ezra Miller, both ESPN 300 prospects. The coaches are bringing in another big tight end in 6-foot-6, 239-pound Logan Lee to go along with the two receivers in the class.
On defense, there are four ends and three outside linebackers who could help replenish the depth in the front seven down the line.
10. Indiana
Class rank: 38
Top commit: ESPN 300 RB Sampson James
Total commits: 19
ESPN 300 commits: 2
Indiana is losing quite a bit along the offensive and defensive lines next season, but the staff has recruited well enough in the past few classes that there is significant depth to help fill the voids. The coaches made defensive tackle a priority in the 2019 class, landing junior college tackle Juan Harris, who originally committed to Iowa then committed, decommitted and recommitted to Indiana in 2016 before ultimately going the juco route.
The coaches also landed C.J. Person, Antoine Whitner Jr. and Sio Nofoagatotoa at the tackle spot to build depth.
While there are some players ahead of him, ESPN 300 running back James could make an impact on offense given his size and ability. Landing James, who had some big options, was a significant commitment for the Hoosiers, and the decision should pay off for James early in his career.
Overall, this is a good class for Tom Allen and staff, which isn't losing a ton outside of the offensive and defensive lines.
11. Northwestern
Class rank: 43
Top commit: ESPN 300 WR Genson Hooper-Price
Total commits: 18
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Northwestern is coming off an 8-5 season and Big Ten championship appearance. The staff used that success to translate into recruiting in 2019 and landed some very good prospects.
Hooper-Price is a 6-foot-5, 206-pound receiver out of Texas. He won't be desperately needed right away, but he would make transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson's life a lot easier if he can make an early impact.
Four-star receiver Bryce Kirtz could help fill in for Flynn Nagel in the slot, and Malik Washington could be dynamic within the offense as well.
On defense, there is some good depth that should fill in most of the holes, but four-star defensive back Roderick Heard might have a chance to see early playing time in the secondary. There won't be much opportunity overall, but this is a good class for Northwestern to continue to push forward and avoid gaps on the roster in the next few seasons.
12. Illinois
Class rank: Not ranked
Top commit: ESPN 300 CB Marquez Beason
Total commits: 12
ESPN 300 commits: 3
Illinois has only 12 commitments in this class, which is a big part of what's holding it back from being ranked higher. It's a good class in terms of quality, especially at the top.
Beason is the No. 87 prospect overall and a really good corner out of Texas. He's joined by ESPN 300 athlete Isaiah Williams, who could help at quarterback or receiver, and ESPN 300 linebacker Shammond Cooper.
The staff also has four-star defensive end Moses Okpala committed out of Missouri. The more notable gets for Lovie Smith and his staff, though, might be in some of the transfers coming in.
Illinois is gaining Oklahoma wide receiver A.D. Miller and Georgia tight end Luke Ford, who is transferring to be closer to home. Miami receiver Jeff Thomas announced he would transfer to Illinois as well but eventually rescinded the decision and went back to Miami.
Even still, Ford and Miller are good additions to the roster to go along with Beason and Williams, who can raise the athleticism on both offense and defense.
13. Maryland
Class rank: NR
Top commit: ESPN 300 WR Isaiah Hazel
Total commits: 11
ESPN 300 commits: 1
This has been a difficult recruiting cycle for Maryland, which has a whole new staff, led by head coach Mike Locksley.
Of its 11 Class of 2019 commitments, six have signed, leaving the staff trying to ensure the remaining commitments sign in February. Quite a few players who considered transferring after this past season have decided to stay and play for Locksley, which should be considered a win for this staff.
Max Bortenschlager, Tyrrell Pigrome, DJ Turner, Cam Spence, Bryce Brand, Lorenzo Harrison III and Rayshad Lewis are among those who decided to stay at Maryland. That is a significant number of players to keep on the roster and helps buy some time in recruiting for the new staff.
In this 2019 cycle, Locksley and his staff are adding ESPN 300 wide receiver Hazel as well as four-star athlete Tayvion Land out of Virginia.
Locksley and the current coaches are in a tough spot with not much time, or recruits unsigned, left to fill this class. Locksley made some excellent hires, including local high school coach Elijah Brooks, who should help recruit the DMV area and should pay dividends in the 2020 class.
14. Rutgers
Class rank: NR
Top commit: Three-star RB Aaron Young
Total commits: 19
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Rutgers returns quite a bit on offense but is losing quarterback Giovanni Rescigno and didn't have much consistency at the position with freshman Artur Sitkowski. The staff is bringing in three quarterbacks in this 2019 class -- three-stars Zamar Wise and Cole Snyder and preferred walk-on Cooper Heisey. Wise is a dual-threat quarterback, while Snyder is more of a pro-style QB and Heisey has a year of prep school as extra experience.
If anything, that helps create more competition at the position and gives the staff more options going forward.
Offensive tackle Tariq Cole is off the roster, but junior college tackle Omari Cooper is in the 2019 class and could help fill in immediately. The staff also landed juco linebacker Juwan Mitchell to fill in on defense and was able to get Michigan linebacker transfer Drew Singleton as well.
From top to bottom, this doesn't seem like a class that is going to help Rutgers get out of the bottom of the Big Ten rankings, but there are some pieces that should help create competition in the future.