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The old coach has everyone beat when it comes to new strategies. The Nittany Lions are relying on securing commitments earlier and earlier -- they had 19 before September -- and then they finished strong, too, getting Top 100 running back Tony Johnson in the final week approaching signing day.

Penn State having recruiting success is no shock. The same is true for Ohio State.

Michigan State is the thriller in this year's recruiting race, taking the beginnings of a Nick Saban-recruited group, and accelerating the process under Bobby Williams, to the point where the Spartans arguably have the best collection of prospects in the league … although third is the consensus.

"Usually when there is a coaching change, the class kind of goes into the dumper," said PrepStar managing editor Rick Kimbrel. "It's just the opposite here. It got a kick start."

That smooth-running Spartan machine sputtered a bit at the end. The top-rated player in Canada, defensive end Nautyn McKay-Loescher, changed his mind after previously declaring that he was headed for Michigan State, and signed with Alabama instead. And the status of Eric Knott, the nation's top tight end prospect, is on hold until resolution of a charge involving criminal sexual misconduct.

Michigan State's leftovers are still the envy of most teams -- even Michigan.

How about this group of skill players: Jeff Smoker, the nation's No. 3 quarterback; Charles Rogers, the No. 3 receiver; Tyrell Dortch, the No. 9 receiver.

Ohio State simply ruled New York state, where the Buckeyes got Top 100 selections:

• The No. 1 prospect: Running back Sam Maldonado.
• The No. 2 prospect: Defensive end Will Smith.
• The No. 3 prospect: Offensive lineman Shane Olivea.

Two more of SportsLine's Top 100 decided to become Buckeyes: Defensive lineman Alphonso Townsend and linebacker Marco Cooper from Detroit, described as an early impact player.

"Ohio State raided Michigan for Cooper," said Kimbrel. "Usually, it's the other way around."

No need to be too blue for Big Blue. This is not Michigan's typical top five-quality class, but it's plenty good, even if Lloyd Carr couldn't hook some of the biggest names on his list.

Two he did get were receiver Markus Curry and offensive lineman Jeff Gaston. And the Wolverines went to Washington to pluck one of that state's best -- linebacker Larry Stevens.

Rounding out the Big Ten's top five is two-time defending Rose Bowl champ Wisconsin.

"Wisconsin is always a very interesting team," Kimbrel said. "They are a lot like Nebraska. They don't care what anybody is ranked. They just get guys who they think can help. They get a couple of stars and a bunch solid guys who are role players -- the kind of players you go to the Rose Bowl with."

The Badgers signed one player off the Top 100 list -- linebacker Darius Jones from Beliot, Wis.

Best of the JCs

Ohio State doesn't dabble too often in junior-college players, but the Buckeyes found one they liked in Jack Tucker II from Cerritos (Calif.) College. Tucker, too small out of high school, filled out in junior college to 6-2, 235, and he has already enrolled at Ohio State. That will give him a head start on the five high school linebackers the Buckeyes will add to the team in the fall.

Minnesota will get quicker with the addition of wideout Antoine Burns, who has a reported 40 time of 4.28 seconds. Maybe a little too fast to be believable, but even if he runs a "slow" 4.4 … that's plenty swift. The Gophers also got themselves a quarterback of note -- Travis Cole.

Tug-o'-wars

Penn State signing a player from State College, Pa., whose father is an assistant coach to Joe Paterno sounds like a slam dunk. Far from it. Tony Johnson, whose dad, Larry, coaches defensive ends and special teams, waited until the final couple of days to make up his mind, having the Penn State staff worried that he would pick Kentucky. At issue? Playing time. Johnson will begin his career behind a long line of runners, including his brother, Larry Jr.

One of Illinois' top prospects, quarterback Mark Kornfeld, originally was committed to Iowa State. He is the career passing leader in the city of St. Louis (5,867 yards).

Ohio State benefited from a change of assistant coaches in the Southeast. When offensive line coach Doug Marrone left Georgia Tech for Georgia, offensive line recruit Shane Olivea rethought his Yellow Jackets commitment. Liking who the Buckeyes' hired to coach their line (veteran George Belu from Wake Forest), Olivea switched to Ohio State.

Golden in Minnesota

For years, Big Ten powers … or Nebraska … or Notre Dame … would pop into the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and snap up the best recruits. And in a state that is hardly the Land of 10,000 Quality Recruits, that was a big problem for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

But not any more.

For the third year in a row, Glen Mason kept the state of Minnesota's top recruit at home.

This time, Mason landed Dominique Sims, a quarterback/defensive back who's first task might be to replace safety All-American Tyrone Carter. Last year's state player of the year, Thomas Tapeh, has a good shot at being the starting tailback in 2000. …

The 1997 state player of the year -- Ryan Iverson -- left the team.