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Big Ten recruiting scorecard

The calendar has flipped to June, and summer recruiting is in full swing around the Big Ten.

There have been quite a few verbal commitments in recent days, so let's take a quick look at where each Big Ten team stands with its 2012 class.

ILLINOIS

  • Commits: 2

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: None

  • Spotlight: Wide receiver Elliot Faerber played mostly special teams as a sophomore but had a big junior season for Shawnee Mission East High School, recording 43 receptions for 799 yards.

  • Position note: Both Illinois commits are wide receivers

INDIANA

  • Commits: 0

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: None

  • Spotlight: Cornerback Dion Witty appeared to make a commitment to Indiana before backing off last week. Witty remains interested in the Hoosiers but is keeping his options open. He also has received interest from both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

IOWA

  • Commits: 1

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: None

  • Spotlight: Offensive lineman Mitch Keppy, Iowa's lone commit thus far, is the son of former Hawkeyes defensive lineman Myron Keppy. He received interest from several Big Ten programs but Iowa offered first and he accepted.

MICHIGAN

  • Commits: 14

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: CB Terry Richardson, LB Royce Jenkins-Stone, LB Joe Bolden, TE Devin Funchess, LB James Ross, DE Mario Ojemudia

  • Spotlight: Ross, who played high school ball with Penn State QB Rob Bolden, had a huge sophomore season, recording 103 tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He followed it up with 95 tackles and five sacks as a junior.

  • Position note: Nine of Michigan's 14 commits play defense, including four linebackers and three linemen.

MICHIGAN STATE

  • Commits: 4

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: G Ben McGowan

  • Spotlight: Riley Bullough continued his family tradition by pledging for the Spartans. He'll join older brother, Max, a likely starter at linebacker this season. His father and grandfather played football for the Spartans, along with two uncles. Riley Bullough played both quarterback and linebacker in high school but will be used on defense.

  • Position note: The Spartans' class includes two offensive linemen, a tight end and Bullough, who will play defense.

MINNESOTA

  • Commits: 4

  • ESPN 150 Watch List: WR Andre McDonald

  • Spotlight: McDonald was the only junior from Minnesota to earn first-team AP All-State honors in 2010. He had 69 receptions for 1,144 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

  • Position note: Three of Minnesota's commits play on offense, including quarterback Philip Nelson.

NEBRASKA

  • Commits: 2

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: LB Michael Rose

  • Spotlight: Rose committed last summer before re-opening his recruitment, but he reaffirmed his pledge last month and won't take any more visits. He has been selected to play in the Under Armour All-American game.

  • Position Note: The Huskers class includes a linebacker and a wide receiver

NORTHWESTERN

  • Commits: 4

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: 0

  • Spotlight: Running back Malin Jones, the Wildcats' first commit, could be the answer at a position of need. He rushed for 1,122 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior for Joliet Catholic High School.

  • Position note: The class includes three offensive players and one defensive back, Joseph Jones.

OHIO STATE

  • Commits: 8

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: T Kyle Kalis, RB Bri'onte Dunn, LB Josh Perry

  • Spotlight: Kalis made news this week after Buckeyes interim head coach Luke Fickell convinced him to keep his pledge to Ohio State. The offensive lineman wanted to look elsewhere after Jim Tressel's resignation but remains on board, at least for now.

  • Position note: The class is heavy on offense so far with six players on that side of the ball, including two running backs.

PENN STATE

  • Commits: 8

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: DT Jarron Jones, T J.J. Denman, G Brian Gaia, LB Camren Williams

  • Spotlight: Jones likely will be the jewel of the class if he signs in February. He's a 6-7, 303-pound force who could be the centerpiece of Penn State's defensive line in 2012 and beyond, but for now he's a soft verbal to Penn State and will take visits to other schools.

  • Position note: The class has an even split (4-4) between offense and defense, but Penn State is loading up on linemen with six commits so far.

PURDUE

  • Commits: 1

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: None

  • Spotlight: Although Purdue's recruiting has been based in Florida since Danny Hope took over as coach, the team's first 2012 commit, safety Jordan Shine, hails from Indianapolis and Warren Central High School.

WISCONSIN

  • Commits: 4

  • ESPNU 150 Watch List: LB Vince Biegel, QB Bart Houston, T Dan Voltz

  • Spotlight: Houston generated a ton of buzz for Wisconsin, which not only landed a decorated quarterback recruit but one from outside the Midwest (California). The 6-3 Houston passed for 1,922 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior, leading powerhouse De La Salle High School.

  • Position note: The class features a quarterback, a running back, an offensive lineman and a linebacker.