Football Recruiting - Midwest Region: Indiana Hoosiers
Fitzgerald lands another four-star for NU 
May, 14, 2013
May 14
7:33
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
A top 20 recruiting class is not good enough for Northwestern any longer. Pat Fitzgerald is making a push for the top 15, and he added another impressive piece Tuesday.
Four-star running back Justin Jackson (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) committed to Northwestern, he told ESPN.com in a telephone call.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete from just outside Chicago had the Wildcats at the top of his list for several weeks. Indiana, Iowa and Vanderbilt were other schools he was high on.
Four-star running back Justin Jackson (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) committed to Northwestern, he told ESPN.com in a telephone call.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete from just outside Chicago had the Wildcats at the top of his list for several weeks. Indiana, Iowa and Vanderbilt were other schools he was high on.
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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.
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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Ohio OL comfortable on second OU visit
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
10:00
AM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
The first visit to Oklahoma was a good one for offensive lineman Alex Dalton (Troy, Ohio/Troy). Dalton and his father had a great time in Norman, Okla., last month, but something was missing.
His mother. If any school is going to be in serious consideration for Dalton, his mom would have to see the campus, as well. OU is now in serious consideration, as Dalton and both of his parents returned to campus last weekend.
His mother. If any school is going to be in serious consideration for Dalton, his mom would have to see the campus, as well. OU is now in serious consideration, as Dalton and both of his parents returned to campus last weekend.
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Offer helps Penn State in chase for ATH
April, 11, 2013
Apr 11
7:34
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
With time running out, Penn State was not going to hang around any longer.
Galion (Ohio) High School athlete Dareian Watkins is set to make his decision sometime in May, and Penn State was the only finalist yet to offer the 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect. Unwilling to wait any longer to offer Watkins on campus, Nittany Lions coach Bill O’Brien offered Thursday.
“Coach O’Brien at Penn State decided to offer Dariean tonight over the phone rather than waiting on his visit,” Watkins’ father, Heath, wrote in a text message.
Galion (Ohio) High School athlete Dareian Watkins is set to make his decision sometime in May, and Penn State was the only finalist yet to offer the 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect. Unwilling to wait any longer to offer Watkins on campus, Nittany Lions coach Bill O’Brien offered Thursday.
“Coach O’Brien at Penn State decided to offer Dariean tonight over the phone rather than waiting on his visit,” Watkins’ father, Heath, wrote in a text message.
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Q&A: Ohio OT Dalton has list of top three
April, 10, 2013
Apr 10
11:00
AM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma first-year offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has been putting in a lot of work since coming to OU from West Virginia. And it’s clear his connections with some recruits have carried over and put the Sooners squarely in the mix for some linemen prospects.
One example is offensive tackle Alex Dalton (Troy, Ohio/Troy). Offered by Bedenbaugh at West Virginia, he was offered again by Bedenbaugh for OU last month and made an unofficial visit to campus last week.
Dalton has offers from schools such as Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan State, but last week was the first time he flew to a campus as he saw OU and Stanford on his spring break.
One example is offensive tackle Alex Dalton (Troy, Ohio/Troy). Offered by Bedenbaugh at West Virginia, he was offered again by Bedenbaugh for OU last month and made an unofficial visit to campus last week.
Dalton has offers from schools such as Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan State, but last week was the first time he flew to a campus as he saw OU and Stanford on his spring break.
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Tales From the Road spotlights players who stand out to RecruitingNation writers at camps, combines and various events. Here is a look at a few Midwest prospects who recently performed at a high level:
DE Jashon Cornell
Vital stats: (2015 / Saint Paul Cretin-Derham Hall / 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Considering: Offers from Iowa, Minnesota and Rutgers
DE Jashon Cornell
Vital stats: (2015 / Saint Paul Cretin-Derham Hall / 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Considering: Offers from Iowa, Minnesota and Rutgers
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Iowa State is hosting a prospect beginning Saturday for whom the Cyclones are the leader.
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A Watch List prospect has made his decision -- just not the one much of the Big Ten was waiting to hear.
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Thompson alters timeline after new offers
March, 19, 2013
Mar 19
3:05
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Less than a month ago, Dylan Thompson (Lombard, Ill./Montini Catholic) believed his recruitment would not go on much longer. He expected a few more offers and then a spring or early summer decision.
Now, the talented defensive lineman will delay it as long as possible.
Now, the talented defensive lineman will delay it as long as possible.
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Watch List TE Wolf not ready to cut list
March, 14, 2013
Mar 14
2:29
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
College coaches are sometimes quick to tell a high school prospect what he wants to hear, but the words do not always match up with the actions in practice or on film.
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Wilbon likes what one school has to offer
March, 11, 2013
Mar 11
5:41
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Chicago De La Salle running back Mikale Wilbon was careful not to name a leader, but he said one team sticks out as having the best résumé among his double-digit offers.
“Everybody is the same but as far as résumés and what schools have to offer, probably Vanderbilt is the best because it's ranked in the Top 25 in education, football and recruiting and that’s the only school,” Wilbon said of his 11 offers. “Vanderbilt is looking good right now, but they’re not leading, though.”
Arizona, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi State and Purdue are Wilbon’s other offers.
“Everybody is the same but as far as résumés and what schools have to offer, probably Vanderbilt is the best because it's ranked in the Top 25 in education, football and recruiting and that’s the only school,” Wilbon said of his 11 offers. “Vanderbilt is looking good right now, but they’re not leading, though.”
Arizona, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi State and Purdue are Wilbon’s other offers.
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Watch List WR talks Tide offer, visits
March, 10, 2013
Mar 10
8:47
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- New assistant coach Mario Cristobal sought out yet another target for the University of Alabama.
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A dozen schools offer 'fearless' Edwards
March, 7, 2013
Mar 7
1:36
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
The moment is never too big for Mike Edwards. Whether his Cincinnati Winton Woods teammates need a big play or an emotional lift from the junior safety , Edwards does not buckle when under the spotlight.
“He’s fearless back there,” Winton Woods coach Andre Parker said. “I don’t think he feels the pressure.”
“He’s fearless back there,” Winton Woods coach Andre Parker said. “I don’t think he feels the pressure.”
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Five programs remain in the race for the commitment of Galion (Ohio) athlete Dareian Watkins.
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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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