Ranking Big Ten Programs by Recruiting Classes

2. Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines battled it out for Big Ten supremacy but they missed the College Football Playoff again. They finished the season 10-3 and 7-2 in the the conference but with losses against Iowa and Ohio State, there’s still work to be done. With this year’s recruiting class, however, the Wolverines show they are putting the work in.

The Wolverines started the season 9-0 before finishing the regular season with two of three losses. They lost their annual season finale with the Ohio State Buckeyes, their fifth straight loss but help is on the way on offense. Heisman finalist safety JaBrill Pepper was brilliant, but with his departure to the NFL Draft, more focus can be put on the offensive side of the ball.

Michigan’s 2017 recruiting class features a conference-high 30 players. Two of them are five-stars, 19 are four-stars, eight are three-stars and one is a two-star, according to 247Sports. The Wolverines coaching staff acquired the most four-star recruits in the conference as well.

One key recruit is early enrollee Donovan Peoples-Jones. Peoples-Jones is a five-star wide receiver ranked 12th in the nation, first by position and first in the state of Michigan, according to 247Sports. The 6-foot-2, 193-pound receiver enrolls early in hopes of cracking the depth chart early. There will be competition for Peoples-Jones, but an early chance at spring ball gives him a shot at early playing time.

Another key recruit is wide receiver Tarik Black. Black is a four-star wide receiver who also enrolled at Ann Arbor early. He ranks 122nd in the nation, 17th by position and first in the state of Connecticut, according to 247Sports. He’s a player who, at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, can make plays in space. Black and Peoples-Jones are two of five wide receivers in this year’s recruiting class.