The February 4 signing period closed with a clear message: The Big Ten has become a recruiting superpower. With its expanded footprint and recent national success, the conference landed three of the top five classes in the country and showed unprecedented depth from top to bottom.
The New Standard Setters
USC, Oregon, and Ohio State finished 1–3–4 nationally, giving the Big Ten a recruiting triumvirate that rivals anything the SEC has assembled. Alabama at number two was what prevented The Big Ten from claiming the top three spots in recruiting rankings by 247sports.com.
- USC claimed the nation’s No. 1 class with elite skill talent and unmatched volume.
- Oregon posted the highest average player rating in the conference.
- Ohio State delivered another balanced, star‑heavy haul built for playoff contention.
Michigan and Washington Hold Strong
Both programs secured top fifteen national finishes, reinforcing the Big Ten’s growing concentration of power. Michigan leaned on quality over quantity, while Washington’s class signaled it’s ready to compete immediately in its new league.
A Deeper Middle Tier
Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, and Rutgers all landed classes that would have been top‑25 nationally a decade ago. The conference’s middle is no longer a soft spot—it’s a strength.
Small Classes, Big Upside
Nebraska and Maryland signed fewer players but posted strong average ratings, suggesting high‑end talent even without volume. Michigan State and UCLA sit in the developmental tier but added foundational pieces.
What It Means
The Big Ten’s 2026 haul reflects a conference transformed. The addition of West Coast powers didn’t just expand geography—it elevated the league’s recruiting ceiling. With five top‑five classes and competitive depth across nearly every program, the Big Ten enters the next era not as a challenger, but as a co‑architect of the national landscape.
