New coach Gary Andersen got off to a slow start upon arriving in Madison from Utah State in late-December. And RB Alex Collins, who some think is the top running back in the nation, opted to join Bret Bielema in Arkansas. But Andersen made up some ground and finished with a strong collection of talent, highlighted by a late commitment from top JC QB Tanner McEvoy, who picked the Badgers over Florida.

Purdue head football coach Darrell Hazell announced the signing of 23 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play for the Boilermakers. The class features three early enrollees in quarterback Danny Etling, defensive end John Strauser and running back David Yancey.

Because of the NCAA sanctions because of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, Bill O’Brien and the Nittany Lions assembled the smallest class in the league (17). But it’s a strong class that is anchored by a total of six linemen on both sides of the ball. O’Brien hung on to early commitments from Christian Hackenberg (the No. 2 QB in the nation) and TE Adam Breneman (the No. 2 tight end in the nation).

The Buckeyes inked a boffo class on the heels of last year’s impressive haul, with defense being an emphasis. In fact, no Big Ten school signed more defensive players than the Buckeyes’ 15. And OSU inked the top collection of defensive backs in the nation, according to Scout.com. Ohio State’s collection of talent is headlined by LB Mike Mitchell, who joins RB Dontre Wilson as top talents from Texas.

One month removed from completing a 10-win season, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald announced the addition of 21 newcomers to the Wildcats football program for the 2013 season — 19 inked to National Letters of Intent along with two walk-ons admitted during the early decision process.

Bo Pelini and company did a good job, bringing in a big class (26) that lacks a superstar but has a lot of high-quality signees. There’s a strong collection of players on defense, paced by DT Maliek Collins, DE A.J. Natter, OLB Josh Banderas, and S D.J. Singleton of Jersey City, N.J.

Coming off their first bowl since 2009 and entering their third season under Jerry Kill, a last-place finish in Big Ten recruiting ranks is a bit of a disappointment. The fact this was a small class played a role in that low ranking. But just know this: Kill never signed top classes at Northern Illinois, and that program just went to the Orange Bowl with a core of players he recruited.