Big Ten football roundup: Penn State’s has league’s 2nd-best ‘triplets’; Ohio State’s top 5 DT recruits

Today’s Big Ten football news features a look at the league’s best offensive “triplets” and the top five defensive tackle recruits for Ohio State, including a PSU target in five-star New Jersey prospect Rashan Gary. Penn State’s trio of Christian Hackenberg, Akeel Lynch and DaeSean Hamilton rank only behind Ohio State’s Cardale Jones, Ezekiel Elliott and Michael Thomas in a list compiled by Athlon Sports. Nebraska, Wisconsin and Illinois rounded out the top five. Each of the three Nittany Lions players ranked among the top five in the Big Ten at their respective positions in previous rankings compiled by Athlon. Athlon’s Steven Lassan wrote: Ranking Penn State at No. 2 in Big Ten triplets largely depends on how far the offensive line develops during the offseason. The Nittany Lions struggled up front in 2014 and prevented the offense from taking off in coach James Franklin’s first year. Improvement is expected up front, which should allow quarterback Christian Hackenberg to rebound after an up and down 2014 campaign. Akeel Lynch rushed for at least 75 yards in three out of his last four outings, while Hamilton – only a sophomore – is among the Big Ten’s top receivers. Like many programs across the country, Penn State included, Ohio State has Gary atop its wish list at defensive tackle. The Buckeyes have another five-star in Dexter Lawrence on a list of targets that was shared by Cleveland.com. Alabama and Michigan are considered heavy favorites to land Gary. In other Big Ten football news, football is a “bottom-line business” for Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, and six non-coaching assistants make at least $100,00 at Michigan. Michigan State’s Jack Conklin, Connor Cook are rising in ESPN’s offseason 2016 NFL draft projections, and Nebraska goes 2 for 2 in landing quarterback recruits. Those headlines and more highlight today’s Penn State football news roundup: Ranking the Big Ten’s offensive triplets for 2015 [Athlon Sports] All-in on reform, Big Ten needs others to join its fight for change [ESPN.com] ILLINOIS 7 more Illinois women’s basketball players pile on claiming abuse [Herald & Review] INDIANA 2016 OT Ean Biancardi talks Indiana offer [247 Sports] IOWA Column: Numbers aside, football a bottom-line business for Ferentz [Des Moines Register] Iowa’s C.J. Beathard cuts hair for a good cause [ESPN.com] Beathard family reunion set for Sept

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