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.

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio introduced the Spartans’ 2013 recruiting class Wednesday afternoon at a press conference inside the Clara Bell Smith Center Auditorium. Watch our crew discuss and analyze the latest Michigan State recruiting class now.

Michigan was right on the heels of Ohio State, signing more players than any Big Ten school (27). The cream of the class is the guy who committed last: Derrick Green, a 5-11, 220-pound smasher with speed from Richmond, Va., who is considered the top running back in the nation by Scout.com. Green picked Michigan over Auburn and Tennessee and solves a gnawing need at running back for the Wolverines.

Coming off the program’s worst season since 2000, it’s difficult to get a read on this class. There are no five- or four-star players in a class that is heavy on offensive players. In fact, only one Big Ten school signed more than Iowa’s 12. (Michigan has 15.) It’s a good thing, too, because the Hawkeyes struggled mightily on that side of the ball in 2012.

Indiana head football coach Kevin Wilson announced the signing of 22 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play for the Hoosiers in 2013. Indiana signed 13 defensive players, five offensive players and four athletes. The Hoosiers added six defensive linemen, four linebackers and three defensive backs on defense and two tight ends, two wide receivers and one running back on offense.

Illinois head football coach Tim Beckman announced Wednesday the signing of 15 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play football for the Fighting Illini in 2013. The 15 newest Illini join 10 other newcomers who are already on campus taking classes – five early enrollees and five junior college transfers – in the 25-man 2013 recruiting class.