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Ranking Big Ten Programs by Recruiting Classes

By Jerran Anderson

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh catches passes prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh catches passes prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Michigan State Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans went 3-9 in 2016, 1-9 in the Big Ten Conference. Their offense was decent, but the defense allowed 20 points or more in all but three games for the Spartans last season. Head coach Mark Dantonio had his worst season in his Michigan State coaching tenure.

The Spartans were in the middle of the pack in yards allowed and things could get a bit bumpy with a new quarterback next season. But, it helps last year’s recruiting class will have a year experience under their belt for 2017. There are still a few players who could contribute right away in this year’s class, however.

Michigan State had a decent National Signing Day. They signed 23v total players on February 1 with a few ready to make an instant impact. There were four four-stars, 18 three-stars and one two-star in this year’s recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

The first key recruit is wide receiver Hunter Rison, out of Ann Arbor. Rison is a four-star product who ranks 316th in the nation, 45th by position and seventh-best player in the state, according to 247Sports. He is an early enrollee and the son of former NFL wide receiver Andre Rison. With a lot of senior targets from last year’s offense gone, Rison has a shot for early playing time if he has a good spring.

Another key recruit is four-star outside linebacker Antjuan Simmons. Simmons ranks 325th in the nation, 16th by position and ninth-best player from the state of Michigan, according to 247Sports. He’s another Ann Arbor native except on the defensive side of the ball. With just three outside linebackers on the roster, Simmons could push for early playing time this fall.

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