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National Signing Day Wrap-Up: Big Ten

By Kyle Kensing

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The real fireworks of the Big Ten’s National Signing Day exploits were saved for later in the week. Wisconsin and Michigan State head coaches Bret Bielema and Mark Dantonio both had

some pointed criticisms of conference newcomer, SEC refugee and Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer’s recruiting tactics

— tactics that yielded the conference’s top rated class.

An added bit of intrigue to Dantonio’s comments is that he is a limb of the Jim Tressel coaching tree, rooted in
the same
The Ohio State University he has since chastised. Adding further fuel to the fire: Dantonio’s roots began producing under Nick Saban, perhaps the most controversial recruiter in all college football.

Sitting back and relaxing had to be one Brady Hoke, whose signing class was finalized before NSD. Hoke also avoided the volleys lobbed from East Lansing and Madison at Columbus.

Illinois

  • 19 Signees
  • Conf. Rank: 10
  • Highlight Players: RB Dami Ayoola; OL Robbie Bain; DB Taylor Barton; DT Teko Powell

Indiana

  • 25 Signees
  • Conf. Rank: 11
  • Highlight Players: WR Caleb Cornett; LB Jacarri Alexander; DE Nick Mangieri

Iowa

  • 24 Signees
  • Conf. Rank: 6
  • Highlight Players: DE Faith Ekakitie; OL Ryan Ward; DT Jaleel Johnson; RB Greg Garmon

Michigan

Michigan State

Minnesota

  • 27 Signees
  • Conf. Rank: 12
  • Highlight Players: DB Antonio Johnson; WR Jamel Harbison; OL Isaac Hayes

Nebraska

Northwestern

  • 21 Signees
  • Conf. Rank: 9
  • Highlight Players: DT Greg Kuhar; DE Ifeadi Odenigbo; DB Traveon Henry; DE Dean Lowry; RB Malin Jones

Ohio State

Penn State

Purdue

Wisconsin

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