SAT/ACT Scores of Big Ten Football Recruits

In one of the more interesting articles that I have read in terms of recruiting, the Star Tribune (Based out of Minnesota) compiled a list of eight Big Ten schools (Michigan, Northwestern, and Penn State did not respond) and the average ACT scores that their football recruits had for the Class of 2008.  These athletes are now freshman and in their first fall camp as you read this.

Why this article is so interesting to me is that I have not seen anything like this before.  This information usually stays hidden for coaches, compliance officers, and administrators at the schools that are recruiting him.  The main reason that the Star Tribune did this article is that their Golden Gophers have already lost a surprising number of players despite signing in February of this year.

Because not all recruits took the ACT or SAT, the article had to make the ACT score equivalent to the SAT.  For those curious, the reason that the SAT score was used over the ACT is because the SAT is a test more recognized in the Midwest.  From what I have heard and seen, the ACT is bigger on the east coast.  Anyways, here is a look at the scores:

School ACT SAT Composite
Minnesota 20 9 17.20
Indiana 14 9 17.80
Ohio State 15 4 17.86
Mich. State 18 3 17.90
Illinois 12 8 18.80
Purdue 8 13 19.10
Iowa 16 7 20.20
Wisconsin 11 5 22.69

Let me state that with Northwestern not submitting a score, I would assume the Wildcats would have actually been the leader in the Big Ten.  They have always been known as a strong academic school and this would be something they would likely have dominated.  As for the actual schools that submitted scores, it is a good showing for Wisconsin and Iowa.  Remember, this is the average of the entire class.  So if an athlete scores an 18 and another scores a 28, they only average out as having a 23 between them.

What is interesting about this is that the average of these athletes at most schools would struggle to qualify for academic help if they were forced to go to a smaller school.  Only two of the schools have a chance (Iowa and Wisconsin obviously) and the other would be paying a lot of money if they were attending a private school.

The sad part about these averages is that four of the schools were unable to average over 18.  While some have trouble, getting at least a 20 is not rocket science.  It is a rather easy test that is not all that difficult if you try and study beforehand.

For those curious, click here for the entire article.