College football may be deep in the throes of the offseason, but when it comes to Ohio State and other big-time programs, the news and efforts continue year-round. The Buckeyes are currently going through the paces of spring ball so there’s plenty of news and observations coming from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center — and more than that — the recruiting game never seems to take time off to catch a breath.
In fact, Ohio State has received a flurry of commitments over the last few days, none bigger than 5-star safety, Blaine Bradford’s verbal pledge on Monday. The news makes it eight players committed to the Ohio State football 2026 recruiting class as we sit here today, and though things may be off to a bit of a slower start than previous years, the Buckeyes will undoubtedly make waves in the Big Ten and nationally as we see almost every year.
Advertisement
But where does Ohio State stand in relation to all of the other Big Ten teams this early in the cycle? Are the Buckeyes at the top of the league? Where do other teams like Oregon, Michigan, and Penn State land who have historically recruited near the level of the Scarlet and Gray?
Here’s a look at all of the Big Ten recruiting team rankings based on the 247Sports Composite Rankings as we sit here at the end of March.
No. 18 – Purdue Boilermakers Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Oct 22, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; A Purdue Boilermakers helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 14.78Total Commitments | 25-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 03-Star Commits | 1
National Ranking | No. 83
Nov 11, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a Northwestern Wildcats helmet on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 15.11Total Commitments | 15-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 03-Star Commits | 1
National Ranking | No. 81
No. 16 – Indiana Hoosiers Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Nov 9, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; A view of Indiana Hoosiers helmet before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 17.59Total Commitments | 15-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 03-Star Commits | 1
National Ranking | No. 71
No. 15 – Wisconsin Badgers Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a Wisconsin Badgers helmet during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 32.94Total Commitments | 25-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 03-Star Commits | 2
National Ranking | No. 62
No. 14 – Nebraska Cornhuskers Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Oct 6, 2018; Madison, WI, USA; A Nebraska Cornhuskers helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 55.82Total Commitments | 35-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 13-Star Commits | 2
National Ranking | No. 47
No. 13 – Michigan Wolverines Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Michigan running back Blake Corum’s helmet sits on the turf during warmups before the Ohio State game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 57.75Total Commitments | 35-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 23-Star Commits | 1
National Ranking | No. 45
No. 12 – Maryland Terrapins Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Dec 30, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; Maryland Terrapins helmet during the second half between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Maryland Terrapins in the 2022 Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 62.67Total Commitments | 35-Star Commits | 14-Star Commits | 03-Star Commits | 2
National Ranking | No. 43
No. 11 – Michigan State Spartans Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A Michigan State Spartans helmet sits on a bench during the second half game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 67.55Total Commitments | 45-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 13-Star Commits | 3
National Ranking | No. 40
No. 10 – UCLA Bruins Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Jul 29, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A detailed view of UCLA Bruins helmet during Pac-12 Media Day at Novo Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 75.33Total Commitments | 45-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 23-Star Commits | 2
National Ranking | No. 37
No. 9 – Rutgers Scarlet Knights Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Nov 11, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; A Rutgers Scarlet Knights helmet sits on the turf at Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 94.88Total Commitments | 75-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 23-Star Commits | 3
National Ranking | No. 31
No. 8 – Washington Huskies Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Huskies players’ helmets rest on a cooler on the bench against the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 97.63Total Commitments | 75-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 13-Star Commits | 5
National Ranking | No. 29
No. 7 – Minnesota Golden Gophers Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Nov 13, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers helmet on the field before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 102.53Total Commitments | 65-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 23-Star Commits | 4
National Ranking | No. 26
No. 6 – Iowa Hawkeyes Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detailed view of Iowa Hawkeyes helmet on the sidelines in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 120.83Total Commitments | 75-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 33-Star Commits | 4
National Ranking | No. 20
No. 5 – Illinois Fighting Illini Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 157.23Total Commitments | 105-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 23-Star Commits | 8
National Ranking | No. 11
No. 4 – Penn State Nittany Lions Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Nov 16, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; General view of a Penn State Nittany Lions helmet prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 168.77Total Commitments | 95-Star Commits | 04-Star Commits | 63-Star Commits | 3
National Ranking | No. 9
No. 3 – Ohio State Buckeyes Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA; Gloves lie on top of the helmet of Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Julian Fleming (4) before Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette.
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 170.73Total Commitments | 85-Star Commits | 24-Star Commits | 53-Star Commits | 1
National Ranking | No. 7
No. 2 – Oregon Ducks Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Oregon players wear a tribute to number 4 Spencer Webb on their helmets for the final home game of the 2023 season at Autzen Stadium Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Chris Pietsch/The Register Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 174.10Total Commitments | 85-Star Commits | 24-Star Commits | 33-Star Commits | 3
National Ranking | No. 6
No. 1 – USC Trojans Big Ten Recruiting Ranking
Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of the USC Trojans helmets and Cotton Bowl logo during the game between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports 2026 Recruiting Profile
Total Score | 259.24Total Commitments | 175-Star Commits | 14-Star Commits | 93-Star Commits | 6
National Ranking | No. 1
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Big Ten football 2026 team recruiting rankings, end of March
