Big Ten tidbits and notes

Plenty has gone on lately around the Big Ten both in terms of recruiting and football in general. This week's edition of "Tidbits and notes from around the Big Ten" features a look at how many verbal commitments each Big Ten school has, information on a few fast rising prospects, how Ron Zook's recruiting at Illinois might be helped, and more.

Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central wide receiver Adrien Robinson attended the NIKE Football Training Camp at Ohio State and indicated that Michigan State offered him a scholarship last week. Ole Miss offered as well. Robinson also has offers from Indiana, West Virginia, Louisville, Marshall, and Arkansas.

Holland (Mich.) Christian tight end Josh Rooks also helped himself by attending the NIKE Football Training Camp at Ohio State. Purdue was represented at that camp, and afterward Rooks called the Boilermakers and landed a scholarship offer. Northwestern offered Rooks the same day.

The Michigan Wolverines are once again doing very well in the state of Indiana. Last week the Wolverines landed a commitment from Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central defensive back Jerimy Finch. Michigan already had a commitment from Ft. Wayne (Ind.) Snider defensive back Artis Chambers. The pair are two of the top four prospects in the Hoosier state.

Ohio State has stopped recruiting Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson quarterback Stephen Garcia. Michigan is also no longer recruiting Garcia after the Wolverines landed a commitment from Texarkana (Texas) Texas quarterback Ryan Mallett.

Speaking of quarterbacks, Lowell, Mich., and Michigan State commitment Keith Nichol was named to the EA Sports Elite 11 Team.

Memorial Stadium, home of the Illinois Fighting Illini, will undergo big change. A $116 million renovation project has been approved for the 83-year old stadium. The renovation should do nothing but help the Fighting Illini's recruiting efforts.

Penn State has extended 23 written scholarship offers. Included in those are Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech defensive lineman Joseph Barksdale, Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's wide receiver Taurian Washington, Catawissa (Pa.) Southern Columbia offensive lineman Josh Marks, and Massillon (Ohio) Washington linebacker Andrew Dailey.

Michigan currently leads the Big Ten in number of commitments with seven. Minnesota has six, Michigan State and Iowa have four, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin have two, and Penn State and Northwestern each have one.

Wisconsin has commitments from two of the top three prospects in the state of Wisconsin in Milwaukee Saint Francis offensive lineman Josh Oglesby and Madison Midletown wide receiver Nick Toon.