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Emma: Big Ten's Signing Day Winners & Losers

By Chris Emma-

(CBS) Once a year, on the first Wednesday of February, college football coaches across the country stand before cameras and microphones and use the same lines.

"We're building something."

"Our team is laying the foundation."

"I'm not worried about stars and rankings."

Signing day is as repetitive as it is bizarre. Everybody wants to declare themselves as a winner on this day, but we're here to break down the real winners and losers from the Big Ten on the big day. Let's take a look.

All ratings and rankings according to 247Sports.

Winners

Ohio State
A microcosm of the Buckeyes' dominance -- fresh off a national title -- can be found in the recruitment of Torrance Gibson, the four-star quarterback who voluntarily joined a depth chart with three studs at his position. There's no guarantee he'll ever see the field. Of course, maybe he'll come off the bench for a playoff push like Cardale Jones.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer can do no wrong in building the Buckeyes, bringing in the Big Ten's top recruiting class once again. Of the 27 signings, 15 were rated a four-star or better. Oh, and did I mention that Ohio State just won a championship?

Penn State
Hardly a full year into his time with the Nittany Lions, coach James Franklin has done a terrific job establishing a recruiting plan for his program. Penn State has enjoyed success attacking the state of Pennsylvania and much of the Atlantic corridor, with each of its 13 four-star commitments coming from either Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Virginia.

The prizes of the class were running back Saquon Barkley and 6-foot-4 receiver Juwan Johnson. Christian Hackenberg has some new toys to work with.

Illinois
Yes, the Fighting Illini just finished their third consecutive losing season, one for each of coach Tim Beckman's three seasons, but they continue to improve. Illinois has gone from two wins in 2012 to six last season, and the top recruiting class Beckman has brought in brings hope that the victory total will continue to rise.

Before Wednesday, Illinois could feel good with the recruiting wins of four-star tackle Gabe Megginson and standout running back Dre Brown, but it wasn't done. Beckman's bunch won by late by signing four-star tailback Ke'Shawn Vaughn and three-star defensive tackle Jamal Milan at the last minute. Quarterback Jimmy Fitzgerald could compete for the starting job as a freshman. However, the steal of the class may be cornerback Cameron Watkins, Vaughn's teammate who also picked Illinois on Wednesday.

Losers

Iowa
The continued regression of Iowa under coach Kirk Ferentz can also be reflected in recruiting, where the Hawkeyes are hurting. Their 2015 class ranks 12th in the Big Ten and shines a light on how far Iowa has fallen.

For years, it seemed that Ferentz and his staff could pull from much of the Midwest's top talent. Now, Iowa has just one four-star joining its core and little to brag about in the skill positions on offense. Maybe this group can overachieve with the help of good coaching, but stronger classes underachieved with Ferentz and his staff. Why will this be different?

Purdue
Coach Darrell Hazell talks a big game and is never short on confidence, which can't be easy with the mighty struggles his Purdue program has faced. The Boilermakers have gained some distance from the rock bottom, which hit hard in 2013, but it's hard to see them going anywhere.

The Boilermakers finished dead last in the Big Ten recruiting rankings, bringing in a group that's not going to challenge for a Rose Bowl. Quarterback Elijah Sindelar and running back Markell Jones are talented skill players who could make a big impact, but Purdue's roster didn't get a big boost with this class. It's only Hazell's second full recruiting class, but this is alarming.

Tim Beckman
While the Fighting Illini won on signing day, their coach lost. His antics about reporters' jobs and their place in Illinois football were misguided and just plain wrong. This is a day for celebration, one where sentiments are going to be positive. Most reporters won't question motives in recruiting. Heck, most don't even pay attention to it.

The unnecssary rambling from Beckman put a damper on a day that should be celebrated in Champaign. The Illini made vast improvements and continued to show potential for their future. Instead, Beckman's comments overshadowed what should have been a happy occasion.

Follow Chris Emma on Twitter @CEmma670.

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