Big Ten recruiting breakdown

Here's a look at how programs in the Big Ten are faring on the recruiting trail heading into national signing day on Feb. 6.

Illinois

Commitments: 24
ESPN 300 commitments: 0
Who they have: Coming off a 2-10 season, the future looks brighter in Champaign with four-star athlete Aaron Bailey as one of the Illini's top commits. The in-state product from Bolingbrook (Ill.) High School will play quarterback for the Illini once Nathan Scheelhaase moves on. Another big in-state pickup was Darius Mosely from O'Fallon (Ill.). It looked as if Mosely might reopen his commitment but has since firmed up with the Illini. Unfortunately for Illinois, the in-state recruiting falls off a little there as Chicago Simeon linebacker Reggie Spearman is the next highest-ranked in-state commitment at No. 15, and Spearman is no sure bet to sign with Illinois. In his second recruiting class, Tim Beckman is trying to build up the offensive and defensive lines. Two of the Illini's top six commitments are defensive tackles and four offensive tackles are pledged to Illinois. Following the rough year, Illinois also hit the junior colleges hard, bringing in five juco players. Illinois also recently received a commitment from St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) defensive back James Crawford.
Who they want: The Illini wanted in-state ESPN 300 defensive tackle Josh Augusta from Peoria (Ill.) High School bad but missed out on him over the weekend. They also lost a commitment from three-star safety Josh Jones (Walled Lake, Mich./Western), although he could still sign with the Illini. Miami Norland four-star defensive end Paul James III visited the Illini on Jan. 18. James would be a huge pickup after missing out on Augusta, and the Illini need some positive momentum going into signing day. Three-star cornerback DeJuan Rogers (Detroit/Cass Tech) is considering an official visit to Illinois after the Illini offered the Toledo commitment last week.
-- Jared Shanker

To see the full class breakdowns of all the Big Ten programs, you must be an Insider.

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