Football Recruiting - Midwest Region: Big Ten
With three solid pickups in the month of May, Northwestern has been hot with its recruiting. The Wildcats are hoping to add to his class with rising cornerback Verkedric Vaughns (Mesquite, Texas/Poteet).
Hearing Vaughns tell it, however, a decision isn’t even close -- no matter how difficult it is for him to think about recruiting.
Hearing Vaughns tell it, however, a decision isn’t even close -- no matter how difficult it is for him to think about recruiting.
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Inspired by Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign">Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign, our recruiting writers looked at other ways schools can sell themselves on the trail. Here's a look at recruiting pitches for the Big Ten:
Illinois Illini
What they’re selling: A chance to rebuild a program from the ground up, beginning with four-star quarterback Aaron Bailey, who signed in 2013.
What they’re missing: Just about all of the top prospects from their own state.
Indiana Hoosiers
What they’re selling: Indiana coach Kevin Wilson embraces the idea of a college spring break and is ready to head to Cancun with some of his players.
What they’re missing: Wilson looks like he might hold the group up in Mexico, however, as he still needs the assistance of a flotation device. Points that it is in the shape of a turtle, though.
Iowa Hawkeyes
What they’re selling: Iowa boasts one of the few staffs that can say they will be there all four years of a recruit’s career and has the history to back it up. Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten and it’s not even close.
What they’re missing: Out-of-state prospects tend to think Iowa is all cornfields, leaving the staff to battle that misconception countless times throughout the recruiting cycle.
Michigan Wolverines
What they’re selling: Michigan coach Brady Hoke looks like an outlaw patrolling the sideline on Saturdays without a headset.
What they’re missing: The player who graces the NCAA Football 2014 cover Denard Robinson. "Shoelace" was one of the Wolverines’ best recruiting tools.
Michigan State Spartans
What they’re selling: Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is the man behind Little Giants, one of the greatest trick plays of the last few decades.
What they’re missing: A trip to a Rose Bowl under Dantonio would put Michigan State over the top when it comes to recruiting. There is already a significant difference in the caliber of player the Spartans are now getting compared to just a few seasons ago.
Minnesota Gophers
What they’re selling: The Gophers boast the biggest locker room in college football.
What they’re missing: They have not had a winning season since 2008.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
What they’re selling: Bo Pelini whipped out “The Bernie” in the Huskers’ Harlem Shake video. Harlem Shake equals instant credibility with recruits.
What they’re missing: A lack of a strong base of in-state talent makes it tough to recruit at Nebraska, and a Harlem Shake video can overcome only so much.
Northwestern Wildcats
What they’re selling: The new facilities are right near Lake Michigan, which, as assistant Bob Heffner is telling recruits, is a great spot for fishing.
What they’re missing: Not too many high schoolers in New Jersey have taken up fishing as a hobby. At least not yet.
Ohio State Buckeyes
What they’re selling: Urban Meyer is bringing SEC speed to the Big Ten.
What they’re missing: Has anyone actually clocked Meyer in the 40-yard dash? How fast is he really?
Penn State Nittany Lions
What they’re selling: Beaver Stadium fits more than 106,000 on Saturdays, making it the second largest stadium in the country. Inside is also one of the country’s most passionate fan bases, and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit once listed Penn State’s student section as “simply the loudest, most supportive student section in college football.”
What they’re missing: A full slate of scholarships and a chance to play for a Big Ten title the next few years.
Purdue Boilermakers
What they’re selling: Few programs have the history Purdue does at quarterback, and former Boilermakers Drew Brees, Kyle Orton and Curtis Painter are all on NFL rosters. The Boilermakers just signed ESPN 300 QB Danny Etling, too.
What they’re missing: Brees, Orton and Painter.
Wisconsin Badgers
What they’re selling: The Badgers have been to three straight Rose Bowls.
What they’re missing: The coach who took them there.
Illinois Illini
What they’re selling: A chance to rebuild a program from the ground up, beginning with four-star quarterback Aaron Bailey, who signed in 2013.
What they’re missing: Just about all of the top prospects from their own state.
Indiana Hoosiers
What they’re selling: Indiana coach Kevin Wilson embraces the idea of a college spring break and is ready to head to Cancun with some of his players.
What they’re missing: Wilson looks like he might hold the group up in Mexico, however, as he still needs the assistance of a flotation device. Points that it is in the shape of a turtle, though.
Iowa Hawkeyes
What they’re selling: Iowa boasts one of the few staffs that can say they will be there all four years of a recruit’s career and has the history to back it up. Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten and it’s not even close.
What they’re missing: Out-of-state prospects tend to think Iowa is all cornfields, leaving the staff to battle that misconception countless times throughout the recruiting cycle.
Michigan Wolverines
What they’re selling: Michigan coach Brady Hoke looks like an outlaw patrolling the sideline on Saturdays without a headset.
What they’re missing: The player who graces the NCAA Football 2014 cover Denard Robinson. "Shoelace" was one of the Wolverines’ best recruiting tools.
Michigan State Spartans
What they’re selling: Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is the man behind Little Giants, one of the greatest trick plays of the last few decades.
What they’re missing: A trip to a Rose Bowl under Dantonio would put Michigan State over the top when it comes to recruiting. There is already a significant difference in the caliber of player the Spartans are now getting compared to just a few seasons ago.
Minnesota Gophers
What they’re selling: The Gophers boast the biggest locker room in college football.
What they’re missing: They have not had a winning season since 2008.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
What they’re selling: Bo Pelini whipped out “The Bernie” in the Huskers’ Harlem Shake video. Harlem Shake equals instant credibility with recruits.
What they’re missing: A lack of a strong base of in-state talent makes it tough to recruit at Nebraska, and a Harlem Shake video can overcome only so much.
Northwestern Wildcats
What they’re selling: The new facilities are right near Lake Michigan, which, as assistant Bob Heffner is telling recruits, is a great spot for fishing.
What they’re missing: Not too many high schoolers in New Jersey have taken up fishing as a hobby. At least not yet.
Ohio State Buckeyes
What they’re selling: Urban Meyer is bringing SEC speed to the Big Ten.
What they’re missing: Has anyone actually clocked Meyer in the 40-yard dash? How fast is he really?
Penn State Nittany Lions
What they’re selling: Beaver Stadium fits more than 106,000 on Saturdays, making it the second largest stadium in the country. Inside is also one of the country’s most passionate fan bases, and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit once listed Penn State’s student section as “simply the loudest, most supportive student section in college football.”
What they’re missing: A full slate of scholarships and a chance to play for a Big Ten title the next few years.
Purdue Boilermakers
What they’re selling: Few programs have the history Purdue does at quarterback, and former Boilermakers Drew Brees, Kyle Orton and Curtis Painter are all on NFL rosters. The Boilermakers just signed ESPN 300 QB Danny Etling, too.
What they’re missing: Brees, Orton and Painter.
Wisconsin Badgers
What they’re selling: The Badgers have been to three straight Rose Bowls.
What they’re missing: The coach who took them there.
Elite 11 qualifier Blough gets first offer 
May, 9, 2013
May 9
11:04
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
Class of 2014 quarterback David Blough (Carrollton, Texas/Creekview) described the last few days as “one of the best weeks of my life.”
Earlier in the week, Blough received an invitation to the Elite 11 national quarterback competition. Along with earning praise from Elite 11 coach Trent Dilfer, Blough also received praise via Twitter from Drew Brees. Few high school players can say they were recognized by two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.
Then on Thursday, Blough’s exciting week continued with his first scholarship offer.
Earlier in the week, Blough received an invitation to the Elite 11 national quarterback competition. Along with earning praise from Elite 11 coach Trent Dilfer, Blough also received praise via Twitter from Drew Brees. Few high school players can say they were recognized by two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.
Then on Thursday, Blough’s exciting week continued with his first scholarship offer.
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Corey Avery (Dallas/Carter) isn’t the most boisterous or most flamboyant athlete. In fact, when he’s on the field, he seems to be all business.
Sometimes, not being the most vocal can result in the “sleeper” title. For months Avery was considered a sleeper, but recently he’s picked up offers from Texas Tech and Nebraska to go along with his first offer, which came from West Virginia.
Sometimes, not being the most vocal can result in the “sleeper” title. For months Avery was considered a sleeper, but recently he’s picked up offers from Texas Tech and Nebraska to go along with his first offer, which came from West Virginia.
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After garnering new interest last week, Elijah Lee (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs) has fielded a couple of questions about his commitment to Kansas State. The three-star outside linebacker committed to the Wildcats on March 26, but he’s landed two Big Ten offers since then that have made him further weigh his options in the recruiting game.
For those wondering if Kansas State is in jeopardy of losing him, Lee is the first to squash any potential rumors.
For those wondering if Kansas State is in jeopardy of losing him, Lee is the first to squash any potential rumors.
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Wide receiver Trae Hart (Dallas/First Baptist) didn’t need to make the recruiting process a drawn-out event. He picked up his first offer, thought about it for a short time and then made his dream of playing college football a reality.
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There are many in the greater Houston area who feel Vic Enwere (Sugar Land, Texas/Austin) is one of the biggest sleepers not only in the state but also in the country. At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, he’s a big-bodied running back with sprinter’s speed and tons of athleticism.
Enwere upped his offer count to eight on Tuesday after picking up offers from Michigan State and Wake Forest. The Michigan State offer was his first Big Ten offer; the Wake Forest offer his first ACC offer.
Enwere upped his offer count to eight on Tuesday after picking up offers from Michigan State and Wake Forest. The Michigan State offer was his first Big Ten offer; the Wake Forest offer his first ACC offer.
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QB Murray in elite company with OSU offer
March, 15, 2013
Mar 15
8:04
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
When Kyler Murray (Allen, Texas/Allen) picked up his Ohio State offer last week, it was thought to be a huge offer for the sophomore. What Murray didn’t realize until later was exactly how significant the offer was.
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Illinois, Mizzou next trips for Watch List OT
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
7:14
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
ESPN Watch List offensive tackle Roderick Johnson (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) is up to eight offers – four from the Big Ten, three from the SEC and one from the ACC. The spring could be the perfect time for Johnson’s recruiting to see a major spike.
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QB Dimonic McKinzy up to four offers
February, 18, 2013
Feb 18
10:50
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
The last time Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kan., was in the mouths of many following college football recruiting, a linebacker by the name of Lyron Collins was preparing to sign with Notre Dame.
That was in 1993 -- 20 years ago.
Dimonic McKinzy is well aware of the history -- or lack thereof -- of Wyandotte football, and he is on a mission to turn the program around. In his first year at Wyandotte after moving from University Academy in Kansas City, Mo., McKinzy led the Bulldogs to a winning record and helped the program get one step closer to becoming relevant in the world of Kansas high school football.
That was in 1993 -- 20 years ago.
Dimonic McKinzy is well aware of the history -- or lack thereof -- of Wyandotte football, and he is on a mission to turn the program around. In his first year at Wyandotte after moving from University Academy in Kansas City, Mo., McKinzy led the Bulldogs to a winning record and helped the program get one step closer to becoming relevant in the world of Kansas high school football.
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RECRUITING NATION MIDWEST COVERAGE
The Midwest Region consists of the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin and is where the foundation of most Big Ten recruiting classes are made up of. It's also where the MAC finds most of its talent and national programs hunt for prospects.
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