The Big Ten has emerged as one of the most dominant conferences in recruiting, and that hasn't changed this year with five of the top 25 classes in the country. As all 14 schools try to put the finishing touches on their classes, here's the latest news and rumors with two months until National Signing Day:
Michigan's big recruiting weekend
Five-star wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (Detroit, MI) announced on Twitter that he is taking his official visit to Ann Arbor this weekend. Michigan has long been though of as his leader, and will be on joined on campus by recent commit Ambry Thomas, quarterback commit Dylan McCaffrey and Alabama running back commit Najee Harris.
Harris is the top recruit in the country andcommitted to Alabama in April 2015, but there is momentum towards him flipping that commitment to Michigan. The Wolverines have ramped up their pursuit of Harris over the past several months, and some are thinking that he will flip his commitment this weekend.
5-star DT "loves" the Buckeyes
Five-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson (Bellaire, TX) is one of the most sought-after players in this class, and is considering several schools, including Florida State, LSU and Texas along with the Buckeyes. Wilson visited Ohio State for their win over Michigan, and that left a huge impression on him:
“I love Ohio State now,” Wilson said. “When I went out there on an official visit I loved it man. I loved the people, the fans, everything about it, you know. (I) chopped it up with Baron Browning, he just committed. Went out there with Jeff (Okudah), Trey Smith, a lot of those guys. I just loved it a lot. Right now, I’m just taking them into consideration. Ohio State is a big place for me.
“They win and their family environment. They’re like Alabama, but they have fun with it. They are real family. It just makes it a good environment.”
The 6-foot-4, 330-pounder is ranked as the top defensive tackle and No. 3 overall prospect in the country.
4-star WR commits to PSU
KJ Hamler (Bradenton, FL), the No. 44 ranked wide receiver and No. 309 overall prospect, committed to Penn State on Friday.
“Well I love the offense they run now, and they have been really successful with it this year,” Hamler said. “It was a hard choice between MSU and them,” Hamler said. “I couldn't go wrong with either one. But I just felt like Penn State was the right fit.
“And I love Coach Gattis and Coach Franklin. And they care for the players more than they do themselves. And me and my parents talked it out and we agreed that they would be the best option. I honestly couldn't go wrong with either one honestly.”
Hamler also said that Penn State's successful season played a major role in why he chose the Nittany Lions.
Cam Akers still considering Ohio State
Five-star running back Cam Akers (Clinton, MS) is another one of the top uncommitted prospects in the country, but was rumored to have taken Ohio State off of his list. That is not the case, according to Bill Kurelic of 247sports:
Does Akers still have Ohio State on his list? As I have previously mentioned, even as questions continued to come up in regards to Akers making an official visit to Ohio State the weekend of Nov. 26 and instead attending the Mississippi State at Ole Miss game, my sources were assuring me Akers would be at the Ohio State-Michigan game. I was told to keep saying that would be the case and I would be correct. The same sources continue to tell me Akers has not taken Ohio State off his list.
The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder is also considering Florida State, LSU and Ole Miss. He is ranked as the No. 2 running back and No. 5 overall prospect in the country.
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