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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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Sep 17, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Maryland Terrapins take the field led by Maryland Terrapins head coach DJ Durkin before the first quarter of a football game against the Central Florida Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Maryland Terrapins take the field led by Maryland Terrapins head coach DJ Durkin before the first quarter of a football game against the Central Florida Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Maryland Terrapins

The Maryland Terrapins fared considerably well on the recruiting trail considering their 2016 performance. Head coach D.J. Durkin is another familiar face in the Big Ten Conference. He was formerly the defensive coordinator at Michigan before becoming the Terrapins head coach.

Durkin went 6-7 in his first full season, 3-6 in the conference. The Terrapins started the season 1-0 in conference play but then won one of their next seven before finishing the regular season with a win over Rutgers. They did qualify for a bowl game, but they lost to the Boston Golden Eagles 36-30 in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Maryland’s recruiting class surprised many and these recruits could continue to do so on the field next season. Their 2017 recruiting class signed 28 commits on National Signing Day, the second highest total in the Big Ten. In total, there were eight four-stars and 20 three-star prospects, according to 247Sports. Their 18th ranked recruiting class took a total of nine players from the state of Maryland.

Their first key recruit is four-star athlete Markquese Bell, a New Jersey native. Bell ranks 191st in the nation, seventh by position and the third-best player in the state of the New Jersey, according to 247Sports. The 6-foot-3, 194-pound prospect is expected to play safety in College Park. As an early enrollee, he’ll get an early taste of the college game with spring football.

Another key recruit is Deon Jones, another early enrollee. Jones, a Maryland native, is a four-star cornerback who ranks 175th in the nation, 22nd by position and is the third-best player in the state of Maryland, according to 247Sports.  He is one of four cornerbacks in this year’s recruiting class for the Terrapins. Look for him as a player to watch on defense this spring.

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