Along with those two,Ohio State― the defending national champions ― is in the top 10, whileMichiganand Washington ― the 2024 national championship matchup ― sit just outside the top 10.
As the 2026 early signing period is underway, here's what you need to know about the recruiting efforts of the Big Ten's 18 programs and what top players they're bringing aboard:
Whitehaven football player Cory House Jr. takes off his jacket as he reveals he will be signing to Michigan State University during the early signing day ceremony at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Chris Day, The Commercial Appeal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Former Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (R) shows his son and Brophy senior Devin Fitzgerald how to tie a tie prior to an early signing day at Brophy Prep High School in Phoenix, Ariz. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Patrick Breen, Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Bolles guard JJ Sparks pulls on a Miami cap during NCAA early signing day events for football on Dec. 3, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
(Clayton Freeman, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NETWORK)
The Clemson orange and purple shoes of Bolles wide receiver Naeem Burroughs are pictured during NCAA early signing day events for football on Dec. 3, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
(Clayton Freeman, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Whitehaven football player Christopher Talley takes off his jacket as he reveals he will be signing to West Virginia University during the early signing day ceremony at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tenn., on December 3, 2025.
(Chris Day, The Commercial Appeal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
East Robertson senior Zach Groves hugs family and friends during his signing day ceremony Dec. 3, 2025 in Cross Plains, Tenn. Groves signed with Tennessee football.
(George Robinson, The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Whitehaven football players Christopher Talley, Jaden Thomas, Cameron Jackson and Cory House Jr. laugh and talk with each other after they announced where they were signing during the early signing day ceremony at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Chris Day, The Commercial Appeal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Bolles tight end Corbyn Fordham pulls on a Florida State cap during NCAA early signing day events for football on Dec. 3, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
(Clayton Freeman, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NETWORK)
With family members, coaches and school administrators present, Crest football's Nari Hickman signed a National Letter of Intent on Dec. 3, 2025 to play college football at Gardner-Webb in Shelby, NC.
(Joe L. Hughes II, Gaston Gazette via USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Bolles safety Simeon Caldwell smiles after pulling on an Ohio State cap during NCAA early signing day events for football on Dec. 3, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
(Clayton Freeman, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Brian and Eileen McMorris pose with Daniel McMorris during signing day ceremonies at Norman North High School in Norman, Okla. on Wednesday Dec. 3, 2025.
(SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Knoxville Catholic football player Tyreek King signs with University of Tennessee, at Knoxville Catholic High School in West Knoxville, Tenn. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Knoxville Catholic football player Chaz Smith signs with Notre Dame, at Knoxville Catholic High School in West Knoxville, Tenn. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Knoxville Catholic football player Gavin Jones signs with Brown University, at Knoxville Catholic High School in West Knoxville, Tenn. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Pine Forest football standout Demetress Mosley signs with South Alabama while his mom, Keisha Grandison, looks on during a ceremony at the high school on Dec. 3, 2025 in Pensacola, Fla.
(Tony Giberson, Pensacola News Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Brophy senior football players Devin Fitzgerald (L-R) Deshawn Krein, James Pike, Daylen Sharper and Case Vanden Bosch sit at their tables prior to officially signing their letters of intent during early signing day at Brophy Prep High School in Phoenix, Ariz. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Patrick Breen, The Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK)
1/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Whitehaven football player Cory House Jr. takes off his jacket as he reveals he will be signing to Michigan State University during the early signing day ceremony at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Chris Day, The Commercial Appeal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
1/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Whitehaven football player Cory House Jr. takes off his jacket as he reveals he will be signing to Michigan State University during the early signing day ceremony at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Chris Day, The Commercial Appeal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
2/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Former Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (R) shows his son and Brophy senior Devin Fitzgerald how to tie a tie prior to an early signing day at Brophy Prep High School in Phoenix, Ariz. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Patrick Breen, Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK)
3/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Bolles guard JJ Sparks pulls on a Miami cap during NCAA early signing day events for football on Dec. 3, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
(Clayton Freeman, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NETWORK)
4/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
The Clemson orange and purple shoes of Bolles wide receiver Naeem Burroughs are pictured during NCAA early signing day events for football on Dec. 3, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
(Clayton Freeman, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NETWORK)
5/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Whitehaven football player Christopher Talley takes off his jacket as he reveals he will be signing to West Virginia University during the early signing day ceremony at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tenn., on December 3, 2025.
(Chris Day, The Commercial Appeal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
6/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
East Robertson senior Zach Groves hugs family and friends during his signing day ceremony Dec. 3, 2025 in Cross Plains, Tenn. Groves signed with Tennessee football.
(George Robinson, The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK)
7/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Whitehaven football players Christopher Talley, Jaden Thomas, Cameron Jackson and Cory House Jr. laugh and talk with each other after they announced where they were signing during the early signing day ceremony at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Chris Day, The Commercial Appeal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
8/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Bolles tight end Corbyn Fordham pulls on a Florida State cap during NCAA early signing day events for football on Dec. 3, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
(Clayton Freeman, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NETWORK)
9/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
With family members, coaches and school administrators present, Crest football's Nari Hickman signed a National Letter of Intent on Dec. 3, 2025 to play college football at Gardner-Webb in Shelby, NC.
(Joe L. Hughes II, Gaston Gazette via USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
10/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Bolles safety Simeon Caldwell smiles after pulling on an Ohio State cap during NCAA early signing day events for football on Dec. 3, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
(Clayton Freeman, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NETWORK)
11/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Brian and Eileen McMorris pose with Daniel McMorris during signing day ceremonies at Norman North High School in Norman, Okla. on Wednesday Dec. 3, 2025.
(SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN via USA TODAY NETWORK)
12/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Knoxville Catholic football player Tyreek King signs with University of Tennessee, at Knoxville Catholic High School in West Knoxville, Tenn. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK)
13/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Knoxville Catholic football player Chaz Smith signs with Notre Dame, at Knoxville Catholic High School in West Knoxville, Tenn. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK)
14/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Knoxville Catholic football player Gavin Jones signs with Brown University, at Knoxville Catholic High School in West Knoxville, Tenn. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK)
15/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Pine Forest football standout Demetress Mosley signs with South Alabama while his mom, Keisha Grandison, looks on during a ceremony at the high school on Dec. 3, 2025 in Pensacola, Fla.
(Tony Giberson, Pensacola News Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
16/16
Sign, Seal, Deliver: Top recruits commit during football signing day
Brophy senior football players Devin Fitzgerald (L-R) Deshawn Krein, James Pike, Daylen Sharper and Case Vanden Bosch sit at their tables prior to officially signing their letters of intent during early signing day at Brophy Prep High School in Phoenix, Ariz. on Dec. 3, 2025.
(Patrick Breen, The Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Big Ten football recruiting team rankings
As of 5:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 3, Big Ten programs accounted for three in the top 10, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings.Of the 18 teams in the league, 14 teams were in the top 55 of the rankings.
Here's a look at how Big Ten programs measure up in their 2026 recruiting class, in the order of their national recruiting ranking (parentheses), heading into the early signing period:
Of the top 50 recruits nationally according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings, 17 have given a verbal commitment or signed a letter of intent to a Big Ten program, as of Wednesday, December 4.
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Here's a look at players in the top 25 of the rankings who have committed to a Big Ten program, along with their national recruiting ranking:
(6). EDGE Carter Meadows, Michigan
(8). RB Savion Hiter, Michigan*
(10). WR Chris Henry Jr., Ohio State*
(16). IOL Immanuel Iheanacho, Oregon
(18). TE Keandre Harrison, Oregon*
(19). OT Kodi Greene, Washington
(22). WR Jalen Lott, Oregon*
(23). TE Mark Bowman, USC
(26). EDGE Anthony Jones, Oregon
(36). S Jett Washington, Oregon*
(39). WR Ethan Foster, USC
(42). DL Khary Wilder, Ohio State
(44) EDGE Luke Wafle, USC
(46). CB Elbert Hill, USC
(47). S Davon Benjamin, Oregon
(48). DL Jaimeon Winfield, USC
(50). LB Cincere Johnson, Ohio State
* indicates not signed letter of intent as of Wednesday, Dec. 3
