By Patrick Weider
No. 1: Ohio State
Outlook: Ohio State is one of the best teams in the country and seems to reload every year in terms of recruiting. The Buckeyes have had some weak spots in the last several years on the offensive line and edge defenders, but they hope they can improve in both those positions in this cycle. Ohio State should be one of the top 5 classes in the nation and probably the best class in the Big Ten. The 2026 class is shaping up to be another elite class, even though they are light on commits so far, with only eight, but they have started to heat up, picking up several top prospects in the last few weeks.
Best Player: Chris Henry Jr., Wide Receiver
Henry is considered one of the best players in the class. He is a dynamic wide receiver who has the skills to be a great college player. Henry has started to visit other programs but has stayed committed to the Buckeyes.
Ohio State 5-Star WR commit Chris Henry Jr. @ChrisHenryJr on why he remains strongly committed to the Buckeyes. pic.twitter.com/WoEym7uBCk
— Touchdown Enterprises (@TouchdownETP) June 28, 2024
Key Question: Can Ohio State land an elite offensive tackle prospect in this class?
More Sports News
🚨 Oregon commit Viliami Moala (4⭐️ DL) is taking visits to Utah & Arizona—and maybe Oklahoma—despite flipping from USC and moving to Eugene! Dan Lanning's D-line dream is on the line 🦆🔥 Full drama here 👉 https://t.co/J5HI87hUOl
— Prospect-Radar (@ProspectRadarHQ) March 31, 2025
No. 2: Oregon
Outlook: Under Dan Lanning, the Ducks have continued the run of great recruiting classes. They currently have eight commits in a strong class again. Lanning has constantly proven he is a good recruiter who can recruit elite players to Oregon. His ability to recruit in California is impressive. Of the eight commits, three are currently from California. Lanning has built a strong program, and it has started with the recruiting of high school players.
Best Player: Kodi Greene, Offensive Tackle
Greene is a four-star offensive tackle from Mater Dei High School in California. This is a good commit from an elite offensive tackle prospect. He is also playing at one of the best schools in California, so this shows how Lanning can land top prospects from California.
Key Question: How high can Oregon’s recruiting class rise in the National rankings?
James Franklin said something during our interview that merits a 👀.
“I’m in a situation now where where, for really the first time here at Penn State, we have the alignment that I’ve been pounding the table for for 12 years.” pic.twitter.com/3GtH5ZHJNi
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) April 1, 2025
No. 3: Penn State
Outlook: James Franklin has been a good recruiter at Penn State as he has been able to tap into Pennsylvania and keep some of the best players in the state. He is especially good at signing running backs from Pennsylvania and The 2026 class is a prime example. Of the nine commits, four are from Pennsylvania. Franklin has also been able to recruit the Northeast well by getting prospects from New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Overall, Franklin has consistently recruited a top-10 class as the head coach of the Nittany Lions.
Best Payer: Kevin Brown, Offensive Tackle
I have personally seen Brown play twice and both times I was blown away by his ability. He is an excellent offensive tackle prospect that has great size and athleticism. This was a massive recruiting commitment for the Nittany Lions.
Key Question: Can Franklin find and develop wide receivers?
Day 1,558 as @IlliniFootball head coach (spring practice 4 prep) pic.twitter.com/nVfQsFiM72
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) March 26, 2025
No. 4: Illinois
Outlook: Under head coach Bret Bielema the Illinois program has steadily improved on the field. He has gone from five wins, to eight wins, to five wins, and then the broke through last year with 10 wins. Now he is hitting the recruiting circuit and done a nice job bringing top-flight talent to Illinois. His recruiting class has good balance with five different states represented in the 10 commits they have so far. Bielema has done a nice job creating a good program.
Best Player: Victor Singleton, Cornerback
Singleton is a good cornerback from Toledo Central Catholic in Ohio. Illinois went toe-to-toe with Ohio State and snagged a four-star prospect in Singleton. An impressive recruiting win for Illinois.
Key Question: Can Bielema and Illinois sign a top 20 national recruiting class?
No. 5: Iowa
Outlook: Iowa has made a living by finding under-recruited guys and developing them into good football players. Iowa is never considered a top destination for prospects, and that is what makes it surprising to see them having the fifth-best class currently in the Big Ten. Kirk Ferentz’s class currently has seven prospects and looks like it could shape up to be one of his better classes in recent years.
Best Player: Carson Nielsen, Offensive Tackle
Iowa has consistently had one of the best offensive lines in the country, so having a four-star offensive lineman commit in Nielsen is not shocking to see.
Key Question: Can Ferentz and Iowa sign a top 25 national recruiting class?
