2006 Big Ten Recruiting Rankings

Ranking the 2006 Big Ten recruiting classes and trying to figure out what it all means to the college football world.

1. Penn State
The class is heavy on ... The defensive line. The coaching staff went heavy after tackles bringing in six prospects highlighted by Jared Odrick, who should be a killer once he adds 20 pounds, but the ends should play the biggest immediate roles with Maurice Evans and Aaron Maybin likely to provide depth this year.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Pat Devlin
The player you might care about this year ... DE Maurice Evans
What it all means to the real world of college football ...  It proved that last year's recruiting magic was no fluke. While the 2005 class was big on playmakers to get more immediate offensive production, this year's haul is all about securing the lines and getting more from the defense over the next few years. If Anthony Morelli struggles to replace star QB Michael Robinson, new recruit Pat Devlin might get a long look.

2. Ohio State
The class is heavy on ... The defensive back seven. It's no coincidence that the Buckeyes lost their stars from the linebacking corps and the secondary and then brought in five linebacker prospects, two safeties and three corners. CB Ray Small has too much speed to keep on the bench, while LBs Mark Johnson, Tyler Moeller and Ross Homan could all see time right away. JUCO LB transfer Larry Grant must live up to the billing.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... OT Connor Smith
The player you might care about this year ... RB Chris Wells
What it all means to the real world of college football ... Chris Wells might be this year's freshman with the biggest impact. The Buckeyes already have a good runner in Antonio Pittman, but Wells has the potential to be a special talent who can do what Maurice Clarett did (on the field) in 2002.

3. Michigan
The class is heavy on ... The lines. The offensive linemen are the stars of the class with Steve Schilling and Justin Boren the make-or-break players for the next few years, but the defensive line got the biggest boost with Marques Slocum the big anchor for the inside and Adam Patterson the quick star of the future.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... OT Steve Schilling
The player you might care about this year ... DT Marques Slocum
What it all means to the real world of college football ... If you were hoping to see the Michigan lines slip over the next few years, it's probably not going to happen thanks to this year's class. Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown add a few speedy options to the backfield and could be in the mix this year.

4. Wisconsin
The class is heavy on ... Receiver and corner. The Badgers lose Brandon Williams and Jonathan Orr and will be counting on a few new recruits to give John Stocco some targets. 6-4 Lance Kendricks could become a go-to guy from day one, while lightning fast Isaac Anderson has to be developed into a deep threat. In all, five receivers and a tight end were added. Five corners were brought in with decent size and excellent speed. Kimuel Royston, Jamathan Ingram-Lyle and Niles Brinkley could be needed right away after all the losses in the Badger secondary.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... OT Jake Bscherer
The player you might care about this year ... RB Lance Smith
What it all means to the real world of college football ... With Brian Calhoun leaving early for the NFL and Booker Stanley kicked off the team, Lance Smith might be the opening day back. Known for its lines, Wisconsin went for speed and athleticism with this class.

5. Illinois
The class is heavy on ... Speed and skill in the defensive back seven. The hope is for QB Isiah Williams to be the face of Illinois football for the next four years, but the only hope for improving in the Big Ten is with more from the defense. Four linebackers, five safeties and two corners were added to make things better right now.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... LB Rahkeem Smith
The player you might care about this year ... QB Isiah Williams
What it all means to the real world of college football ... Illinois football isn't an easy sell, but head coach Ron Zook needs players to step in right away and upgrade the overall team speed and athleticism. He sold this year's recruits on the shot to start from day one, and many might.

6. Michigan State
The class is heavy on ... Defensive line. With four tackles and four ends coming in, highlighted by JUCO superstar Ervin Baldwin, the Spartans are looking to beef up the defense. While there aren't many highly rated prospects, there's strength in numbers. The receiving corps also got a big boost with four big players with speedy T.J. Williams and JUCO star Devin Thomas sure to give Drew Stanton more options this year.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ...WR T.J. Williams
The player you might care about this year ... DT Ervin Baldwin
What it all means to the real world of college football ... This is a far better class than it'll likely get credit for. While it's not top-heavy with stars, there are lots of good prospects at several spots. Don't let the addition of PK Brett Swenson go unnoticed. After last year's disastrous season when it came to field goals, Swenson is being brought in to take over the job right away.

7. Iowa
The class is heavy on ... Quarterback. Drew Tate is the unquestioned starter this year, so the hope is for Arvell Nelson, Rick Stanzi, and Brett Morse, who might project better as a tight end, to develop and grow over the next year to be ready to roll in 2007. Four very fast receivers, led by Anthony Bowman, were added to the mix and should form the nucleus of a nice corps by 2008.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ...PK Ryan Donahue
The player you might care about this year ... LB Jeremiha Hunter
What it all means to the real world of college football ... Kirk Ferentz and his staff do a wonderful job of making the pieces fit the system, and while they didn't get a whole bunch of top-rated prospects, they got several great athletes who can develop into top players. Be patient with this class.

8. Purdue
The class is heavy on ... Instant depth. There might not be a lot of star power, but there are several decent JUCO recruits to step in right away with three very good defensive ends, led by Michael McDonald, two decent corners and running backs Jaycen Taylor and Dario Camacho.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ...RB Deon Williams
The player you might care about this year ... S Jeff Lindsay
What it all means to the real world of college football ... It could be a make-or-break one for Joe Tiller. He's not afraid to play freshmen right away, but he didn't get a lot of great ones. Unless there are some big surprises, this doesn't appear to be a class to get the Boilermakers over the hump over the next few years.

9. Minnesota
The class is heavy on ... Diversity. The Gophers didn't load up at any one spot, but tried to fill in some gaps all over the place hoping they fit the overall system. There aren't many instant contributors outside of JUCO RB Brylee Callender and 6-5 WR Jamar Howard, so this class will take at least three years before it can be judged. There's a lot of development to do.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Adam Weber
The player you might care about this year ...RB Brylee Callender
What it all means to the real world of college football ... The turmoil over head coach Glen Mason's contract situation must have been a big issue; this isn't a class to get excited about. Mason has yet to form a fence around Minnesota with only six home state recruits, and since this isn't a national recruiting powerhouse, this might be the class that causes a dip for the program in 2007.

10. Northwestern
The class is heavy on ... Receiver. Last year's Northwestern receiving corps was the best in the Randy Walker era, and now most of the stars are gone. There aren't any obvious instant contributors outside of 6-4 Quenton Davie, but there are four very nice prospects and two do-it-all running backs in Stephan Simmons and Sherrick McManis who fit the system.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Joe Mauro
The player you might care about this year ... WR Quenton Davie
What it all means to the real world of college football ... There's no Tyrell Sutton to get jacked up about for this year, but there are several nice pieces for 2008 and beyond with QB Joe Mauro a big, quick prospect who could develop into another Brett Basanez. On the down side, instant issues on the offensive line weren't addressed.

11. Indiana
The class is heavy on ... Offensive line. Head coach Terry Hoeppner found out in a hurry that you can't win in the Big Ten if your offensive line isn't outstanding, so he and his staff went heavy up front with six prospects highlights by Jarrod Smith, who should be tremendous once he hits the weight room, and 300-pound Cody Faulkner.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... OT Jarrod Smith
The player you might care about this year ... LB Vernon Smith
What it all means to the real world of college football ... This isn't a quick-fix class. This is a group with an eye towards the future building form the lines up. Don't expect this class to make a difference in 2006, but the foundation will be built for 2008.