Big Ten Spotlight: Three programs on a roll in recruiting
The calendar has turned to spring and there are several programs across the country that are riding a wave of momentum in recruiting. Rivals national recruiting analyst Greg Smith looks at three such programs in the Big Ten.
RELATED: Big Ten team rankings for 2026 class
RUMOR MILL: Big changes after key visits
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
ILLINOIS
Coach Bret Bielema and his program have had a strong offseason recruiting in the 2026 class. The program is coming off a double-digit win season and bowl game win over an SEC foe. So the question was if Illinois would be able to keep it rolling and see the benefits in recruiting.
So far, so good.
The program is sitting at No. 9 in the Rivals Team Recruiting Rankings at the moment due to a surge of verbal commits. The formula seems to be clear. Load up on good regional talent and then pluck some standouts from Florida.
The Illini have a pledge from versatile Ohio four-stars Cam Thomas and Victor Singleton. They’ve gone down to Florida to land four-star quarterback Michael Clayton and three-star wide receiver Kenyon Alston.
USC
It’s not hyperbole to say there might not be a program in the country that fits the “on fire” category more than USC. The Trojans totally revamped their recruiting department and it’s given the team a lot of juice on the recruiting trail. They picked up five commitments for 2026 during the winter months, most notably from still-rising four-star quarterback Jonas Williams. Getting the face of the recruiting class to flip from rival Oregon was a huge deal.
That momentum hasn’t slowed down as spring approaches. USC has picked up four commitments in March as spring football gets underway. The team has several blue-chip prospects slated to visit campus between now and June. With the way things are going the Trojans will push for a top-five recruiting class this cycle.
USC feels ‘back.’ At least on the recruiting trail.
WASHINGTON
The Huskies have been a sneaky surprise the last couple months. They pulled off a major recruiting win, landing four-star Ksani Jiles, a one-time Miami commit who had options all around the country. Keeping three-star defensive back Elijah Burr home was also a nice win for the program.
But another big thing the Huskies have going right now is momentum behind the scenes. Recruits have been buzzing about their visits to check out the program under coach Jedd Fisch. The team is in the thick of several high-profile recruitments including five-star quarterback Brady Smigiel, four-star running back Deshonne Redeaux and four-star defensive end Anthony Jones.
The Huskies have a path to being one of the biggest surprises of the cycle in the conference.
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on Rivals.com, the leader in college football and basketball recruiting coverage. Be the first to know and follow your teams by signing up here.
-
SEC Spotlight: Programs on a roll in recruiting
Four-star OL Jakobe Green has helped Mississippi State move up to No. 15 in the Rivals Team Recruiting Rankings.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Takeaways as Illinois bounces Iowa basketball from Big Ten Tournament
Was this the end for Payton Sandfort and Fran McCaffery? The biggest takeaways from Iowa's loss vs. No. 25 Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Kylan Boswell scores 24 points to help No. 24 Illinois beats Iowa 106-94 in Big Ten tourney
Kylan Boswell scored a career-high 24 points and four other Illinois players finished in double digits as the 24th-ranked Fighting Illini beat 15th-seeded Iowa 106-94 in a wild second-round Big Ten ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Takeaways from Wisconsin’s massive Big Ten Tournament win over UCLA
Wisconsin basketball rode a three-point barrage to a victory over UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
RECAP: Wisconsin basketball cruises to Big Ten Tournament win over Northwestern
The Wisconsin Badgers rolled to a 70-63 triumph over the Northwestern Wildcats in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday afternoonYahoo Sports - 5d -
Three Predictions: Clemson, Miami, Larry Miles
Four-star offensive lineman Grant Wise committed to Clemson over the weekend.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Purdue star Trey Kaufman-Renn alleges racist comments made by Illinois fans toward 13-year-old brother
Purdue is reportedly planning to file a report to the Big Ten over the incidentCBS Sports - Mar. 8 -
Ten notable offers from Notre Dame's Pot of Gold Day event
Notre Dame offered four-star slot receiver Julius Jones at its Pot of Gold event.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Iowa basketball coach ejected during Big Ten Tournament vs Illinois
Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery got the heave-ho during the Hawkeyes' battle vs. Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
The Boston Celtics may have found one of the steals of the 2024 NBA draft on their roster
That steal would be rookie shooting guard Baylor Scheierman.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Great news for Ruben Amorim as Ayden Heaven to return from injury soon after the international break
Despite being stretchered off against Leicester City in the second half on Sunday, Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven could be back soon after the international break.This update comes from ...Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Man City’s Rebuild: Where Does Bernardo Silva Fit in Guardiola’s Plans
Bernardo Silva’s Future at Manchester City: A Stay or a Standoff?Manchester City’s season has not gone to plan. A side accustomed to relentless dominance finds itself fifth in the Premier League, ...Yahoo Sports - 26m -
New Packers WR Mecole Hardman could be Tyler Ervin 2.0
Mecole Hardman could be a pre-snap motion weapon who gets designed touches and handles both returner roles for the Packers in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 29m -
Pick your poison: Davante Adams says he and Puka Nacua will be a 'hell of a test' for defenses
Rams WR Davante Adams has high expectations for himself and Puka Nacua in LAYahoo Sports - 30m
More in Sports
-
The Boston Celtics may have found one of the steals of the 2024 NBA draft on their roster
That steal would be rookie shooting guard Baylor Scheierman.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Great news for Ruben Amorim as Ayden Heaven to return from injury soon after the international break
Despite being stretchered off against Leicester City in the second half on Sunday, Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven could be back soon after the international break.This update comes from ...Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Man City’s Rebuild: Where Does Bernardo Silva Fit in Guardiola’s Plans
Bernardo Silva’s Future at Manchester City: A Stay or a Standoff?Manchester City’s season has not gone to plan. A side accustomed to relentless dominance finds itself fifth in the Premier League, ...Yahoo Sports - 26m -
College baseball Week 5: Top 25 rankings, play of the week and what to watch
Here are the latest Top 25 rankings, featuring a new No. 1, plus what we're watching this week.ESPN - 29m -
College softball rankings: The Top 25 teams after Week 6
Is Oklahoma still No. 1? Which team dropped out this week? Here's the updated college softball Top 25 poll for Week 6.ESPN - 29m