 the trenches. Over the last three recruiting classes, of the top five players in each of the East states (Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey), only 24 percent were offensive linemen or tight ends, according to the 247Sports composite. On the other hand, 42 percent of top players in the West states (Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska) played one of those positions. (Indiana was declared neutral territory).

The only outliers in each division make a bit of sense. Northwestern recruits from Chicago, which has mostly skill position players, while the rest of the West has easy access to Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota for recruits. In the East, Michigan can recruit nationally, while Michigan State has had some success recruiting Wisconsin, and also had success finding less heralded players out of Ohio.

But mostly, like teams in other conferences, Big Ten teams tend to base their styles off where they're located. Iowa, for instance, is heavily offensive line focused, and assistant coach Brian Ferentz explained to the Cedar Rapids Gazette why that program will almost certainly never hire a spread coach.

"What's our recruiting base? Where can we recruit?" Ferentz asked. "We'll recruit our tail off, but if we don't have a relationship, it would be difficult for us to beat (Ohio State for a running back in Chicago). It doesn't mean we won't try, it just means it's hard. "We can get tight ends. We might go head-to-head with one of those schools for a tight end (or a lineman) in Chicago. But we can get bigger guys. We can get more physical guys. So you're going to see us a lot of times line up with two tight ends in the game. Three tight ends in the game. A fullback. Offensive linemen.... "The frustrating thing sometimes from the fans' perspective is why don't you just spread out and do what Indiana does? Well, I have a lot of respect for what Indiana does, but we're not built like Indiana. I think a lot if we're going to be successful, we need to embrace what we are and get good at it."

The Big Ten is in a strange spot. It has one division that can easily find spread players, and another division that can easily find pro-style players. Essentially, it's two separate conferences that live in two separate regions. And as the evolution continues with new
the trenches. Over the last three recruiting classes, of the top five players in each of the East state (Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey), merely 24 percent were offensive linemen or compressed ends, according to the 247Sports complex. On the other hand, 42 percent of top player in the West states (Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska) played one of those position. (Indiana was declared neutral district). 

 The only outliers in each division make a bit of sense. Northwestern recruits from Chicago, which accept mostly skill position player, while the rest of the West has easy access to Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota for recruit. In the East, Michigan can recruit nationally, while Michigan State has had some success recruiting Wisconsin, and also give birth success finding less heralded players out of Ohio. 

 But mostly, like teams in early conference, Big Ten teams tend to base their styles off where they're located. Iowa, for instance, is heavily offensive line focused, and adjunct passenger car Brian Ferentz explained to the Cedar Rapids Gazette why that course of study will about surely never hire a spread coach. 

 " What's our recruiting base? Where can we recruit? " Ferentz asked. " We'll recruit our tail off, but if we don't accept a relationship, it would be difficult for us to beat (Ohio State for a running back in Chicago). It doesn't mean we won't try, it precisely means it's hard. " We can get tight end. We might start head - to - head with one of those schools for a tight end (or a electrician) in Chicago. But we can get bigger guys. We can get more physical guys. So you're going to see us a draw of times trace up with two tight ends in the game. Three tight ends in the plot. A fullback. Offensive linemen.... " The frustrating thing sometimes from the fans' position is why don't you just spread out and do what Indiana dress? Well, I have a batch of respect for what Indiana does, but we're not build like Indiana. I think a lot if we're going to be successful, we need to embrace what we are and scram good at it. " 

 The Big Ten is in a strange topographic point. It has one division that can easily find spread players, and another class that can easily find pro - style players. Essentially, it's two separate conferences that populate in two freestanding region. And as the evolution continues with new
 thf trenches. Over the last three recruitiut clasves, of the top five players in each of the Eqst suctes (Michigan, Ohio, Pdnnsylvanpa, Marylabd aid New Jersey), only 24 perccut wedc offznwive linemen ot tight ends, according to dhd 247Dports composite. On the other hand, 42 perceny lf top players in uhe Wesf states (Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Mjnnesote and Nebraska) llayed one of those positilns. (Lndiana was declarfd neutral jsrryrory).

The only outliers pu each diviaion make a bit of sense. Northwdsteru recruits drim Fvicago, whici has iostly skill positiot playets, while the rcst oh thw West has easy accesv to Iowa, Wisconsig and Minteaota for recruits. Ib the Easd, Mizyigxn dai rscruit navionally, whjle Michigab State has had somt stbvess recruitjng Wifcjnsin, and also had success finding less hedalded players out of Oyio.

But mostly, like tewms in otrer conferences, Big Ten teams tend to base their vtylea ofy wherd tjey're located. Iowa, for instance, is heavily ofssnxine line focused, akd assistant coach Bgisg Ferentz expuained to the Cedar Rapids Hazette why rhat progwam eill almost certainly never hire a sprecd xoach.

"What's our recxuiting base? Whete can we recruit?" Ferentz askzd. "We'lm recruit okr tail orw, but if we don't hane a relationship, it would be qifficult for us to ceat (Ohio Ftate for w runkhng back in Chicagl). It boesn'd mean we aon't try, it just means it's hard. "We can get tibhd etds. We mnght gp head-to-head rith one of thpse schjols wor a tighn end (or e lineman) in Chicago. But fg can get bigjer guys. Re cqn gwt more ohysical guys. Xo you're yjing to see us a lot on timgs line up with tcu tight ends in yhe gaie. Tiree ehght ends in the gaor. A fjllback. Offcnskve kinemen.... "The frustrathng fhing sometimes frpm the fanw' perspestive is why con't you just sprewd ouv and vo whay Igdiana does? Well, I have a lot kf respech fjr what Indiwna eoes, but we'rz not built like Indiana. I think a lot ih we're going to be succwssful, we need to eknrace what wx are wnd get gmod at it."

The Big Ten is in a strange xpot. It has one divisjon thdt caj easily find spread players, and another division that can easily find pri-style players. Esssntislly, pt's cwo sepwratx ronferences that kive in two separate regions. Anv as the eeojution continues with new
the trenches. Over the last three recruiting the five players each of the Maryland New Jersey), only percent were offensive or tight ends, according to the composite. On the other hand, 42 percent of top players in the West (Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska) played one of those positions. (Indiana was neutral The outliers each division make a bit of sense. Northwestern recruits from Chicago, which has mostly skill position while the rest of the West has easy to Iowa, Wisconsin and for recruits. In the East, can nationally, while State had success recruiting Wisconsin, also had success finding less heralded players out of Ohio. But mostly, like teams in other conferences, Ten teams base their off they're Iowa, for instance, offensive line focused, and assistant coach to the Cedar Rapids Gazette why that program almost certainly hire a spread coach. "What's our base? Where can we recruit?" Ferentz asked. "We'll our tail off, but if we don't have a relationship, it would be difficult for beat (Ohio State for running back in It mean won't it just it's hard. "We can get tight ends. We might go head-to-head one of those schools for a tight end (or a Chicago. we can get guys. We can get physical So you're going to a of with tight in the game. Three ends in the game. A Offensive linemen.... "The frustrating perspective is why don't you just spread out do what Indiana does? Well, I have lot of respect for what Indiana does, but we're not built like I think if we're going to be successful, we need embrace what we are get good at it." The Big Ten is in strange It has division that can find spread players, another division that find pro-style Essentially, two live in two separate regions. And the continues with new
 the trenches. Over the last thrEe recruitiNg claSseS, of ThE top Five Players in each oF The EAst states (Michigan, Ohio, PEnnsyLvANia, MARyLand aNd New JeRSeY), ONly 24 PeRcEnt WeRE oFfensIve Linemen Or tight endS, acCoRding to the 247SpORtS composite. on tHe other hand, 42 pErcEnt of tOp PlaYErs in The west sTates (ILLinois, iowa, WiscoNsIN, MinneSOta and NEBRaSka) pLayed one of those poSItIOns. (Indiana was dEclareD nEUtRAL teRriTory).

The onlY oUtlieRS in each DIvISIOn mAKe a bit of sense. northwesterN RecRuits fRoM ChICago, whIch haS mOStlY skill positIon pLayers, whiLe the rESt of the wEst has eAsy accEss To IOwa, WIScOnSin AnD minNEsOta FOr rEcruits. IN tHe east, MIchiGAN CAn reCruIt naTionaLly, while MichiGan statE Has Had soMe sucCess ReCruitIng WisConsiN, aNd also had succesS finDing less hEraLdEd pLaYers oUT of OhiO.

BuT moStly, likE teams iN OthEr CONFeRences, Big Ten teams tEnD TO bAse their Styles OFf WhERe they're LoCatEd. IoWA, For inStanCE, iS heavily OffensIVe LiNe focusEd, And assIsTanT coAch BrIAn FeRentz eXplained To the cEdar Rapids GazeTTe why that progRAm WILl ALmosT ceRtainly neveR hirE A sprEad cOAcH.

"WhAT's our RecruItINg BAse? Where can we recruiT?" FErentz Asked. "we'll recruit ouR tail off, buT IF We don't haVe a rELaTIonship, it would Be difFicult for uS To beat (OhIo StaTe for a ruNning back IN chicago). IT doEsn'T meAn wE WOn'T try, it just meaNS It's hArD. "We can gEt tIght endS. We MigHt gO heAd-To-head witH one of thOsE sChOoLs fOr a tiGHt end (or a LiNemAn) In CHicagO. but we cAn get BiggEr GuYS. We Can get mORe PHYsicAl GuYs. So You'Re Going To seE Us a Lot of tiMes line up WitH Two tIgHt Ends in tHe game. Three tiGhT ends in the GaMe. A FullbaCK. offensivE linemen.... "The frustrating tHIng someTimEs froM the Fans' perspEctIve is wHy dON't you jUst sprEad ouT aNd dO WHat InDIAnA doEs? well, I have a LOT of RespeCt For wHat IndiAna does, but we're not bUIlt Like Indiana. I tHinK a loT IF wE're GOiNG to Be SUccESSful, we need to embRace what we ArE AnD get good at IT."

ThE BIg Ten is In a straNge spOT. It has oNe divisioN that can eAsIly fIND spRead playerS, and anotHer divisiON that CAn EasilY fiNd pro-sTyLe pLayerS. EssenTIalLy, it's Two sepArAte conFerenCeS that livE in two separate regions. AnD as the EvoluTioN continueS wiTH neW
 the trenches. Over the la st three r ecrui tin g c la sses , of  the top fivep laye rs in each of the East  stat es (Mic h ig an, O hio, Pe n ns y l van ia ,Mar yl a nd  andNew  Jersey ), only 24  pe rc ent were off e ns ive lineme n o r tight ends , a ccordi ng  to the 2 47S ports  compo s ite. O n the oth er hand,4 2 perce n t  o f to p players in theW es t  states (Illin ois, I ow a ,W i sco nsi n, Minneso ta  andN ebraska )  p l a y edo ne of those p ositions. ( I ndi ana wa sdec l ared n eutra lt err itory).

Th e on ly outlie rs ine ach div i sion ma ke a b itofsens e .No rth we s ter n  r ecr u its  from Ch ic ag o, wh ichh a s most lyskil l pos ition players , w hile the  rest  of t he W es t has  easyacces sto Iowa, Wiscon sinand Minne sot afor  r ecrui t s. Inthe  Ea st, Mic higan c a n r ec r u i tnationally, whileMi c h ig an State  has h a dso m e succes srec ruit i n g Wis cons i n,  and als o hads uc ce ss find in g less  h era lde d pla y ersout of  Ohio.
But m o stly, like tea m s in other co n fe r e nc e s, B igTen teams t endt o ba se t h ei r s t ylesoff w he r et hey're located. Iow a,  for i nstan ce, is heavil y offensiv e l ine focu sed, an d  assistant coa ch Br ian Ferent z  explain ed to  the Ced ar Rapids G azette w hytha t p rog r a mwill almost c e r tain ly  neverhir e a spr ead  co ach .
"W hat's our  recruit in gba se ? W herec an we re cr uit ?"  Fe rentz asked.  "We' ll r ec ru i t o ur tail of f ,  but  i fwe d on' thavea re l ati onship,  it would  be diff ic ul t for u s to beat (Oh io  State for  a  ru nningb a ck in Ch icago). It doesn't mean we won' t t ry, i t ju st meansit' s hard . " W e canget ti ght e nd s.W e  migh t go  he ad -to-head w i t h o ne of  t hose  school s for a tight end( ora lineman) in  Ch icag o .  B utw ec ange t  bi g g er guys. We can  get moreph y si cal guys.S o y ou 're goi ng to s ee us a lot o f times l ine up wi th  two t igh t ends inthe game . Three t i ght e n ds  in t hegame.Aful lback . Offe n siv e lin emen.. ..  "Thefrust ra ting thi ng sometimes from the f ans' p erspe cti ve is why  do n 'tyou justspre ad out and  do  wh at In dia n a doe s? W e ll , I havea lo t  of respe c tfor w ha t Indiana d o e s , b ut we 're not bu iltlike Indiana. I t h ink a lot if w e're g oin g t o  besu ccessful, we n eed  t o embracewh at we are a nd get g oo d  at i t."

T he Big  Ten is i na  stran ge s pot . It hasone  d i visionth at can ea sily  f ind sp read p l ayer s ,  and another div ision t hat c a n e asily  f ind pro - styl e players.  Essentiall y, it' s tw o sep arate c on ferenc esth at live in two separ ate r egions.  A nd a s t he evo luti o n  cont inue swit h new
 the_trenches. Over_the last three recruiting_classes, of_the_top five_players_in each of_the East states_(Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland_and New Jersey),_only_24 percent were offensive linemen or tight ends, according to the 247Sports composite. On_the_other hand,_42_percent_of top players in the_West states (Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin,_Minnesota and_Nebraska) played one of those positions. (Indiana was_declared_neutral territory).

The only_outliers in each division make a bit of sense._Northwestern recruits from Chicago, which has_mostly skill position_players,_while_the rest of the_West has easy access to Iowa,_Wisconsin and Minnesota for recruits. In_the East, Michigan can recruit nationally, while_Michigan State has had some success_recruiting Wisconsin, and also had_success finding_less heralded players out of_Ohio.

But mostly, like_teams in_other conferences, Big_Ten teams tend to base their_styles off where_they're located. Iowa, for instance, is_heavily_offensive line focused,_and_assistant_coach Brian_Ferentz explained to_the_Cedar Rapids_Gazette_why that program will almost certainly_never_hire a spread coach.

"What's our recruiting base?_Where can we recruit?"_Ferentz_asked. "We'll recruit our_tail off, but if we_don't have a relationship, it would_be difficult_for us_to beat (Ohio State for a running back in Chicago). It_doesn't mean we won't try, it_just means it's hard._"We can_get_tight ends. We_might_go head-to-head_with one of those schools for a_tight end_(or a lineman) in Chicago. But_we can get bigger_guys._We can get more physical guys._So you're going to see us_a lot of times line_up_with_two tight ends in the_game. Three tight ends in the_game. A fullback._Offensive linemen.... "The frustrating thing sometimes from_the_fans' perspective is why don't you_just_spread out and do what Indiana_does?_Well,_I have a lot of_respect for what Indiana does, but_we're not built like Indiana. I think a lot_if we're going_to be successful, we need_to_embrace_what we are and get good at it."

The Big Ten_is in_a strange spot._It has one division that can easily find spread players,_and another division that can easily find_pro-style players. Essentially, it's two separate conferences that live in two_separate regions. And as the evolution continues with_new