Big Ten Recruiting Roundup: Nebraska Using Unique Pitch, Penn State Aiming High

We're just over a week past 2016 National Signing Day, but Big Ten Football programs are already lining up their top prospects for the Class of 2017. Let's pick out the three biggest recruiting tidbits from the trail with our Big Ten Recruiting Roundup For February 12th.

Ohio State Thinking Tight Ends
The Ohio State Buckeyes have three 2017 in-state tight ends lined up as targets right, per Bill Kurelic of 247Sports: 4-Star Matt Dotson (Cincinnati), 3-Star Trey Pugh (Plain City) and 3-Star Charles Reeves (Steubenville).

Dotson is the only of the three to have received an offer from Urban Meyer's staff, and it's currently a 50/50 battle between OSU and Tennessee for his signature.

As for the other two, Reeves appears to be a pretty solid get right now -- even though he's reportedly trending towards Kentucky (despite recently decommitting from the Wildcats).

“I like Ohio State,” Reeves said, via Kurelic. “I like West Virginia, Michigan State and Florida. (But) Ohio State, that’s my favorite school."

Where Do Nittany Lions Stand For #1 All-Purpose Back?
Ranked as the #31 overall prospect in the Class of 2017 by 247Sports, Philadelphia (PA) St. Joseph's Prep standout D'Andre Swift is the site's #1 all-purpose back and stands as one of the most versatile offensive threats in the class.

Penn State has had an eye on Swift since his freshman year, according to 247's Sean Fitz, and they're currently banking on the in-state rub to curry favor with the five-star back.

However, the presence of Saquon Barkley and recent commit Miles Sanders could prove to be a roadblock for James Franklin in his recruiting mission. If so, there's a host of top programs (Alabama, Clemson and Michigan being a few) who could lure him away and outside the Pennsylvania border.

Nebraska Going Big In WR Search
Huskers wide receivers coach Keith Williams is on the trail looing for 2017 standouts, and per 247Sports' Mike Schaefer, he may have one lined up in four-star Buena Park (CA) athlete Taariq Johnson.

Williams offered Johnson recently, reportedly prizing Johnson's versatility and size/range at 6'4", 210 pounds. 

“Coach Williams and I first talked about Nebraska a few months back,” Johnson said, via Schaefer. “I don’t know too much about the program but I want to learn more.”

Johnson's teammate, 3-star athlete Jeremiah Hawkins, is also on Nebraska's radar. In fact, Williams reached back into the buddy cop movie fold to pitch a two-for recruiting package.

“Coach Williams said he wants this to be like a Bad Boys thing with my teammate Jeremiah Hawkins,” he said. “I’m Will Smith!"

No word on how Hawkins feels about being cast in the Martin Lawrence role...

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Related Topics: Ohio State Football Recruiting, Penn State Football Recruiting, Taariq Johnson, Matt Dotson, D'Andre Swift