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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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Dec 3, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach Jeff Brohm reacts at press conference after the CUSA championship game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky won 58-44. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach Jeff Brohm reacts at press conference after the CUSA championship game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky won 58-44. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Purdue Boilermakers

After starting the season 3-3, the Purdue Boilermakers fired head coach Darrell Hazzell. The Boilermakers were 9-33 in four seasons under Hazzell. They haven’t been bowl eligible since the 2012 season.

Jeff Brohm will take over for Purdue and his first job was getting on the recruiting trail and filling team needs right away. The former Western Kentucky head coach comes to the Big Ten with a 30-10 record and two bowl wins under his belt. He was the Hilltoppers coach for three seasons.

Brohm still managed to nab 24 total signings on National Signing Day. They signed 21 three-star prospects and three two-star prospects, according to 247Sports.

The key recruits Brohm signed are from the junior college circuit. First up, wide receiver Isaac Zico out of Georgia Military College.

Zico is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound three-star JUCO prospect ranked 113th nationally, 12th by position and second in the state of Georgia, according to 247Sports. He brings the Boilermakers some much-needed help in the wide receiving core. With departure of senior wide receiver Deangelo Yancey (49 catches, 951 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns), there should be plenty of receptions to go around for Zico.

The other JUCO prospect is three-star cornerback TJ Jallow out of East Mississippi Community College. Jallow is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound prospect who ranks 56th nationally, seventh by his position and 20th in the state of Mississippi on the junior college circuit, according to 247Sports.

The Boilermakers leader in interceptions last season was Markus Bailey, a freshman linebacker on the team. Senior safety Leroy Clark, the team’s second-leading tackler a season ago (82), is also gone as well. Jallow can give Purdue immediate help in the secondary. He had 24 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble last season for East Mississippi.

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