The dog days of summer have arrived and the start of a new college football season is quickly approaching. But while the sun may be blazing, the recruiting activity remains hot as well. Most schools around the Big Ten have their recruiting classes mostly lined up for the Class of 2027, but there is always room for more, and this tends to be a busy time for recruiting updates and news in the recruiting cycle.
We will be taking a regularly scheduled look at the Big Ten recruiting rankings in the Class of 2027 moving forward until we arrive to the early signing period, and through the traditional signing period in Febriuary. With this being our first look at the Class of 2027 football rankings for the Big Ten, here is a quick reminder of what we are looking at and what to expect.
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First, the recruiting class rankings noted here are according to the most recent update to the 247Sports composite rankings for the Class of 2027. Keep in mind those rankings can change at any moment based on recruiting activity around the country, but this is a look at the latest pulse for the Big Ten. Teams are ranked from lowest to highest in the Big Ten, and each school’s national recruiting ranking is noted as well for an idea of where those schools sit in the bigger picture.
As we move forward, we will make note of how much schools are moving up or down in the rankings compared to our most recent look, but none of that will be displayed here. We also make note of how many total commitments are on the board, and how many of those players are five-star or four-star players. Again, those star rankings are as classified by 247Sports.
We will take a look at the updated Big Ten rankings at the beginning of each month, but may also make note of some recruiting rankings changes at any time. With all of that out of the way, here is a look at the updated Class of 2027 rankings for the Big Ten’s next recruiting cycle.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema disputes a call in the first quarter of the Music City Bowl against Tennessee in an NCAA football game on Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Illinois is lagging behind the Big Ten competition right now in the recruiting rankings but the Illini do have a couple of key in-state recruits. Four-star wide receiver Bennett Konkey and four-star cornerback Justin Johnson have chosen to play for the Illini for a couple of nice recruiting wins for head coach Bret Bielema.
Dec 31, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes mascot Herky the Hawk reacts after a play against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the second quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The highlight of Iowa’s recruiting class to this point is four-star offensive tackle Reilly Newman, out of Ohio. Iowa also has a commitment from tight end Jaxx DeJean, the brother of former Iowa star and current Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean.
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16. Michigan State Spartans (No. 55 nationally)
Sep 7, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; A detailed view of Michigan State Spartans helmet on the field before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Michigan State is working through a bit of a rebuilding project in East Lansing, and the Spartans have some catching up to do in the recruiting game. Michigan State has a four-star offensive tackle commitment from Caleb Johnson out of Indiana and a class otherwise consisting of three-star players that may help build a new foundation for future success.
15. Purdue Boilermakers (No. 49 nationally)
Sep 20, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Purdue mascot Purdue Pete cheers against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Is there some momentum brewing with Purdue? Barry Odom has a couple of key four-star commitments from wide receiver Trenton Yancey and safety Kaleb Elkins (from Indianapolis) to generate some much-needed enthusiasm for Purdue’s recruiting efforts.
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14. Maryland Terrapins (No. 48 nationally)
Oct 19, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley during the second half Southern California Trojans at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Maryland has just two in-state recruits at the moment for the Class of 2027 but has acquired a good number of commitments from southern states such as Texas, Alabama, and Florida. Maryland made the decision to back Mike Locksley, so the pressure may be on to capitalize on increased financial support from the school.
Nov 8, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) runs with the ball while being pressured by Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
The defending national champions have not picked up the typical championship boost on the recruiting trail the way some other programs have experienced, but this is also still new to the Hoosiers. Indiana has done some good work in the transfer portal and has one four-star player lined up at the moment coming out of high school. That is four-star wide receiver Branden Sharpe, one of the top players in Indiana.
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Sep 08, 2012; Evanston, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Northwestern Helmet before the game against Vanderbilt at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Northwestern’s recruiting class is full of three-star players that will fit in well with the program’s underrated profile. Northwestern doesn’t typically attract too many five- and four-star players, but the Wildcats will do well with developing its incoming recruits to be a pesky team in Big Ten play. With a new stadium set to open this season, the support for Northwestern football is visible.
11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (No. 33 nationally)
Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights mascot Sir Henry during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Greg Schiano has been busy putting together a decent class with recruits from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and New York as well as out of North Carolina and Florida. Wide receivers Jamar Taylor and Arnold Mugerwa will be names to watch for in the coming years.
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Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Minnesota Golden Gophers helmet during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Minnesota’s Class of 2027 is loaded with players and a handful of notable four-star recruits. Minnesota has a pair of four-star tight ends on the board with Brooks Bakkio and Drake Mikkelsen from North Dakota and South Dakota, respectively. Minnesota is also gearing up to add a couple of four-star players to the defense with defensive lineman Eli Diane and linebacker Tate Wallace.
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Detailed view of Washington Huskies helmet during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Washington started off the month of July with a pair of commitments from offensive tackle Gecova Doyal and Tye Kennedy to follow up a solid past week of recruiting wins. The latest additions to the Class of 2027 was enough to move the Huskies just ahead of Minnesota and into the top 25 nationally.
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8. Wisconsin Badgers (No. 23 nationally)
Sep 20, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger does push ups following a field goal during the third quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
After a down year in recruiting with the Class of 2026, Wisconsin is making some stronger recruiting moves in the Class of 2027. Wisconsin’s Class of 2026 finished outside of the top-50 in the nation, but the Badgers are holding a top-25 recruiting haul at the moment. Luke Ficvkell’s Class of 2027 is currently led by six four-star commitments, including safety Mekhi Williams and running back Kingston Allen.
Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Michigan Wolverine helmets sit on the field near the sideline prior to a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
New Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham is quickly putting together a roster to his liking, but he is still looking for a five-star commitment to add to the mix. The Wolverines have received a commitment from one of the top offensive tackles in the nation, Jakari Lipsey, and future stars could be seen with defensive lineman Xavier Muhammad and linebacker Frederick Ford.
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Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts from the sideline during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Things are looking pretty optimistic for Nebraska with its Class of 2027. The gem is five-star quarterback Trae Taylor, the top-rated passer in the Class of 2027 according to 247Sports. He was the top-rated player in Nebraska, and he has been committed to Nebraska since May 2025. Another key in-state recruit is four-star athlete Tory Pittman III, who plays on Taylor’s crosstown rival high school in Omaha, Nebraska.
5. UCLA Bruins (No. 16 nationally)
Nov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive linemen Garrett DiGiorgio (72) and Josh Carlin (54) during the second quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
UCLA finally seems to be picking up some consistent momentum on the recruiting trail with new head coach Bob Chesney. The Bruins have a commitment from five-star athlete JuJu Johnson and four-star safeties Jerry Outhouse Jr., Pole Moala, and Myles Baker. Not a bad way to shore up the pass defense. UCLA also plucked four-star wide receiver Matthew Gregory out of Pennsylvania, much to the dismay of Penn State fans.
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4. USC Trojans (No. 14 nationally)
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws a pass in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
USC got off to a sizzling start to the Class of 2027 and remains on pace to land a stellar recruiting class. Lincoln Riley has secured a pair of five-star commitments with five-star edge rusher Mekai Brown out of Connecticut and five-star athlete Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, one of the top-rated players in California.
Apr 25, 2026; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell looks on from the field during the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Penn State fans may be uneasy about seeing the Nittany Lions failing to lock down some of the top recruits in the traditional recruiting territories, including its own state, but the recruiting rankings show a much more positive trend for new head coach Matt Campbell. Penn State’s Class of 2027 is trending toward a potential top-15 class despite some notable recruiting misses. The highlights right now include in-state four-star defensive lineman Stanley Montgomery out of Philadelphia and Ohio offensive tackle David Tarawallie and four-star running back Aiden Gibson.
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2. Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 7 nationally)
Oct 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes helmets sit on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium.
The Ohio State recruiting machine continues to chug along. The Buckeyes are loading up once again in the Class of 2027 with some very notable five-star players. That includes the nation’s top-rated player overall according to 247Sports, edge rusher DJ Jacobs out of Georgia. And Ohio State is getting another five-star wide receiver with Jamier Brown staying in-state to play for the Bucks.
1. Oregon Ducks (No. 6 nationally)
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
The recruiting is good up in Oregon. The Ducks have a top-three recruiting class nationally with a class currently led by five-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant and five-star edge rusher Rashad Streets out of North Carolina. Oregon’s total number of commitments helps keep the Ducks slightly ahead of Ohio State in the overall recruiting team rankings at the moment, and it looks like these two will go down to the wire battling for the top recruiting class in the Big Ten in the Class of 2027.
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Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on BlueSky, Threads or any of these other platforms.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Updated Big Ten Class of 2027 football rankings
