With Jim Tressel already notching 23 commitments in the class of 2009, it’s easy to get caught up in the Buckeyes’ early success. Some other programs, particularly around the conference have not had as much success and are struggling to get into double digits for the 2009 class. Here’s a look at what some other Big Ten teams have on board thus far:

Illinois

4 verbal commitments; 3 in-state commitments; 2 offensive prospects 2 defensive prospects

Ron Zook and staff are off to a slow start with only four commitments thus far. That number used to be five when Melvin Fellows was a part of this class, and now Zook is trying to get back at the Bucks by actively recruiting recent OSU commit Justin Green. OT Leon Hall, DT Lendell Buckner, FB Greg Fuller, and CB Joelil Thrash (Washington D.C.) make up the 2009 class for the Illini. Zook has a ton of offers out there so look for the Illini class to start picking up after the summer.

Indiana

2 verbal commitments; 2 in-state commitments; 2 offensive prospects

Bill Lynch is off to a slow start in 2009, but that is expected, as Bloomington, Indiana is not usually a draw for top-tier football prospects. QB Edward Wright-Baker and TE/LS Josh Keyt make up this class so far, as the Hoosiers have had trouble keeping prospects in-state. DJ Hunter from Middletown, OH would be a huge get for IU as they have seen much improvement on the gridiron in the last year or so.

Iowa

2 verbal commitments; 1 in-state prospect; 2 offensive prospects

Kirk Ferentz is on the hot seat in Hawkeye Nation and the slow start to this recruiting class is not helping his cause. FB Brad Rogers (OH) and in-state OT David Barrent compose this class that desperately needs to bring Iowa back to the top of the conference. Cedar Rapis (IA) WR Keenan Davis is a must get for Ferentz.

Michigan

12 verbal commitments; 2 in-state commitments; 3 defensive prospects 9 offensive prospects

RichRod’s first full class at UM has gotten off to a pretty good start (unless your comparing it to OSU). Headlined by two quarter backs in Kevin Newsome (VA) and Shavodrick Beaver (TX), UM seems to have found someone to run their new spread option attack. Other players of note in this class are DT/OT Willaim Campbell (MI), DB Justin (J.T.) Turner (OH), RB Teric Jones (MI), and WR Bryce McNeal (MN). Rodriguez has done a good job of bringing in players to run a successful offense in Ann Arbor and the Wolverines should be back in Big Ten contention in a year or two.

Michigan State

8 verbal commitments; 7 in-state commitments; 6 offensive prospects 2 defensive prospects

Mark Dantonio is doing a great job of taking away the in-state talent from “big brother” Michigan. Sparty has already taken top Michigan running back targets in Edwin Baker and Larry Caper, as well as LB Chris Norman. Landing Pickerington Central (OH) ATH Patrick White was a nice addition for Dantonio, who still recruits the state of Ohio well. Look for the Spartans to add to an already solid class and compete for conference titles in the years to come.

Minnesota

6 verbal commitments; 4 in-state commitments; 5 offensive prospects 1 defensive prospect

Lead by QB Moses Alipate (Bloomington, MN), this Gophers class continues Tim Brewster’s improvement on the program. Landing RB Hasan Lipscomb out of Texas was a big addition for the Gophers and two in-state offensive linemen in Ed Olson and Josh Campion should help Lipscomb have success for Minnesota in the future. Look for Minnesota to be the conference sleeper’s in terms of this recruiting class, as many skill players will want to play with Alipate, who is an Under Armour All-American.

Northwestern

4 verbal commitments; 3 in-state commitments; 3 offensive prospects 1 defensive prospect

In recent years, Northwestern has not had much success on the field and they are hoping the class of 2009 can change that up in Evanston, Illinois. QB Evan Watkins leads this class, which also includes out-of-state addition, WR Drew Moulton (Midland, MI). Don’t expect big things from the Wildcats for this class as they continue to sit at the bottom of the Big Ten in all aspects except for academics.

Penn State

12 verbal commitments; 4 in-state commitments; 5 offensive prospects 7 defensive prospects

In what is probably the second best class so far in the Big Ten, Joe Pa seems to still have a little magic up his sleeves. OT Eric Shrive (PA) and former Buckeye commit, CB Darrell Givens (MD) headline the class. The Lions have dug deep into the state of Maryland, landing 6 verbals from the ‘Free State’, including Givens, S Malcom Willis, DT Sean Stanley, CB Derrick Thomas, CB Stephon Morris, and WR Brandon Felder. Look for Joe Pa to have a big recruiting year, as their 2009 class should rank in the top 25 nationally when it’s all said and done.

Purdue

1 verbal commitent; 0 in-state commitments; 0 offensive prospects 1 defensive prospect

Joe Tiller’s last season in black and gold may be the cause of Purdue having the least verbal commitments out of any Big Ten school for 2009, with Ismael Aristide, a 5′11″ 190-pound safety from Orlando, Florida, as the only commitment. A program that is supposed to be a Big Ten competitor year in and year out, Purdue has really gotten the raw end of the deal the last few years. This year, they are in a lame duck situation, while last year, they saw Rich Rodriguez “steal” some of their commitments on signing day (leading to the “only among gentleman” comment by Tressel). In-state QB Morgan Newton has the Boilermakers on his final list, and the 4-star quarter back would be a great addition and change thins up a little for Purdue.

Wisconsin

8 verbal commitments; 3 in-state commitments; 5 offensive prospects 3 defensive prospects

Brett Bielma has gotten off to a solid start, landing 5 out of state commitments, inlcuding Missouri RB Montee Ball and Illinois QB Jon Budmayr. DT Jordan Kohout (6′4″ 265 lbs.) and OG Ryan Groy (6′5″ 270 lbs.) headline the in-state commits for the Badgers. Wisconsin is another program that is always at the top of the Big Ten and at least for the immediate present, may have overtaken Michigan as the second best program in the conference. Expect Bielma and staff to do big things for the 2009 class.

As you can see, the Buckeyes clearly have the top class, not only in the conference, but probably nationally as well. This many commitments (23) in June is absolutely ridiculous, while programs like Purdue do not even have one yet. The way things have been going, the Bucks may get a 2010 commitment before Purdue or Indiana even get another commitment for 2009. It’s certainly a great day to be a Buckeye. Here are the DTI rankings for 2009 Big Ten Recruiting Classes:

1. Ohio State

2. Penn State

3. Michigan

4. Michigan State

5. Wisconsin

6. Minnesota

7. Illinois

8. Northwestern

9. Iowa

10. Indiana

11. Purdue