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          On The Trail

          Best of the visits: Big Ten

          • Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff WriterOct 26, 2014, 03:45 PM
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            • ESPN staff writer
            • Joined ESPN in 2011
            • Graduated from Central Michigan
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          Wisconsin had a big recruiting weekend, hosting several visitors for its game against Maryland. The Badgers came away with the win and the coaches also landed a few commitments.

          Athlete Zack Baun and linebacker Jordan Griffin both announced their commitment to Wisconsin on Saturday, giving the Badgers 21 commitments in the 2015 class.

          This type of visit is big for the uncommitted prospects, but it’s also important for the committed recruits to take in the atmosphere and spend time around the program.

          Michigan State had a huge game at home Saturday, hosting quite a few commitments, targets and in-state prospects. The Spartans beat rival Michigan in resounding fashion and in front of an exciting atmosphere.

          The visiting recruits got to see quite a show, and the Spartans likely helped themselves with the in-state recruits, especially the 2016 and 2017 class.

          Because Michigan State came away with the win, the prospects also got to see an exciting environment in the locker room after the game.

          While the Spartans handled Michigan fairly easily, the game in Happy Valley with Penn State and Ohio State turned into an outstanding game. The two teams went to overtime, where Ohio State eventually won. The sentiment from the prospects on campus, though, was that it was crazy and exciting.

          Penn State losing won’t matter as much to prospects because of the way it happened and the fact that the crowd was loud and the visit seemed to make a lasting impression on many of the recruits. The Nittany Lions had some big 2015 targets on hand, including ESPN 300 offensive lineman Matt Burrell, who was taking an official visit.

          Penn State coach James Franklin made sure to get a little recruiting done before the game with Burrell and Indiana quarterback commit Tommy Stevens, who was offered by the Nittany Lions.