Big Ten Football: Ranking the Rosters for 2026
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The Big Ten claimed its third straight national championship with Indiana’s win over Miami in late January to close the ’25 season. The Hoosiers have showcased the blueprint in college football’s transfer portal and NIL era on how to build a program. Instead of following the traditional path on successfully building through the high school ranks, Cignetti mastered portal recruiting and talent development at all levels of the roster.
Indiana’s title has scrambled what’s possible in college football. However, the sport’s history in the BCS and playoff era suggests a team recruiting at an elite level is more likely to win a championship in ’26. With Ohio State and Oregon checking off that box, the Big Ten has an excellent opportunity to earn even more bragging rights over the SEC with a title in ’26.
Although recruiting rankings aren’t 100 percent correct, the scouting services help to paint a valuable picture about roster talent for an upcoming year. Also, there is a direct line between finishing high in recruiting rankings/stars into success. Essentially, stars (and team rankings) matter a lot in college football. The increased usage of the transfer portal is another variable to consider for these rankings, but the main data from each signing period still holds a lot of weight.
Below are the national recruiting ranking averages for Big Ten schools over the last five (2022-26) classes, according to 247Sports’ Composite Team Rankings. Obviously, this doesn’t take into account attrition or transfers. However, this data provides an intriguing base line for talent evaluation within each conference.
Way-Too-Early 2026 Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC
Ranking the Big Ten’s College Football Rosters in 2026
’26 | ’25 | ’24 | ’23 | ’22 | ’21 | Five-YearAverage | |
1. Ohio State | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4.6 |
2. Oregon | 3 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 6 | 7.8 |
3. Michigan | 12 | 6 | 16 | 17 | 9 | 13 | 14.6 |
4. USC | 1 | 14 | 17 | 8 | 70 | 7 | 23.4 |
5. Penn State | 64 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 21 | 27 |
6. Iowa | 26 | 38 | 32 | 41 | 30 | 24 | 38.2 |
7. Maryland | 47 | 25 | 38 | 36 | 31 | 18 | 39 |
8. Nebraska | 100 | 22 | 18 | 25 | 41 | 20 | 45.2 |
9. Washington | 13 | 23 | 47 | 26 | 95 | 30 | 46.8 |
10T. Michigan State | 45 | 56 | 42 | 24 | 23 | 46 | 47.2 |
10T. Rutgers | 38 | 33 | 36 | 57 | 33 | 39 | 47.2 |
12. Wisconsin | 73 | 27 | 23 | 59 | 44 | 16 | 48.4 |
13. Minnesota | 27 | 50 | 35 | 45 | 49 | 38 | 48.8 |
14. Illinois | 23 | 45 | 49 | 38 | 46 | 73 | 54.8 |
15. Indiana | 32 | 47 | 65 | 68 | 25 | 55 | 58.4 |
16. UCLA | 63 | 46 | 90 | 37 | 61 | 33 | 66 |
17. Northwestern | 51 | 65 | 80 | 47 | 48 | 50 | 68.2 |
18. Purdue | 53 | 98 | 27 | 70 | 38 | 76 | 72.4 |
*Note: Recruiting team rankings above compiled from 247Sports. These rankings do not take into account transfer portal class rankings or departures.
*The Big Ten claimed three of the nation’s top five classes in ’26. USC landed the No. 1 haul, with Oregon (No. 3) and Ohio State (No. 4) up next.
*USC’s No. 1 class is crucial for coach Lincoln Riley’s hopes of getting this program into playoff contention. Prior to the ’26 haul, the Trojans did not rank higher than No. 7 for a signing class since ’21.
*Could Oregon be the next Big Ten team to win a national title? Under coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks have not finished lower than fifth in signing classes over the last three years. Additionally, Oregon has ranked higher than Ohio State (’26 and ’24) in two out of the last three years.
*Reigning national champion Indiana checks in at No. 15 on roster talent through recruiting rankings over the last five seasons. However, after landing two four-star recruits from ’23-25, the program inked seven in this year’s class. Also, coach Curt Cignetti’s success in the portal illustrates how teams can successfully build (and win at a high level) in the transfer/NIL era.
*Penn State’s late hire of Matt Campbell certainly had a massive impact on the recruiting class. The Nittany Lions finished No. 64 nationally in the 247Sports rankings. That’s easily the program’s lowest finish over the last five seasons.
*Signs of concern or a one-year blip for Nebraska? The Cornhuskers No. 100 haul is the program’s lowest over the last five seasons. However, only 11 prospects were signed in this class. The low quantity certainly impacted the ranking, but it will be intriguing to track how coach Matt Rhule performs on the recruiting trail after a critical ’26 campaign.
*Wisconsin’s No. 73 haul is the lowest-rated class over the last five seasons. The ’26 class was likely impacted by coach Luke Fickell bringing in a hefty portal haul in a make-or-break season.
*The No. 23 class inked by coach Bret Bielema at Illinois is the program’s best over the last five seasons.
*Improving high school recruiting should be one of the top priorities for new UCLA coach Bob Chesney. Despite a location in fertile recruiting territory, the Bruins rank No. 16 in the Big Ten in roster talent over the last five years. Also, the program has not landed a haul higher than No. 37 in that span.
Related: The 8 Most Intriguing Teams in College Football for 2026
Related: 10 Biggest Winners in College Football’s Transfer Portal for the 2026 Season
Related: SEC Football: Ranking the Rosters for 2026
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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