Yet in the class of 2014, Illinois’s top recruit went to L.S.U., and Iowa’s went to Alabama. In the class of 2013, SEC and Atlantic Coast Conference programs poached premier prospects from Indiana and Pennsylvania, and Maryland’s top recruits went to Virginia Tech and Southern California. By contrast, Texas’ best went to Texas A&M, Louisiana’s to L.S.U., California’s to Southern California and Virginia’s to Virginia.

Dan MacLean, a successful coach at Detroit Country Day, said that in the past five years, he has seen heightened interest in, and from, programs farther outside Michigan. He recently sent players to Stanford and Texas Tech.

“Going back 10, 20 years ago, this was pretty much Big Ten country — and Notre Dame,” he said.

During spring break of Baker’s junior year, he spent a few days in Gainesville, Fla., on an unofficial visit. He liked Coach Will Muschamp’s defensive-mindedness and tough-love approach and appreciated that Muschamp made time for Baker around Easter. He also meshed with the players.

Baker said he liked that his lead recruiter, the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach D. J. Durkin, spoke honestly with him, saying that if Florida had another poor season after going 4-8 in 2013, the coaching staff might not look the same. Joe Schaefer, Baker’s coach at Benedictine, had played for Durkin at Bowling Green and vouched for Durkin.

The SEC sold excellence. The Big Ten sold tradition.

“I love tradition,” Baker said. But, he continued, “I know in my heart I can make it to the N.F.L. — that’s my dream since I was a little kid. I don’t want any questions of, ‘You went to the Big Ten?’ There’s not that many teams that are good in the Big Ten anymore.

“I wanted to say that I played against great backs every game. I wanted the challenge. It was a test of myself, my pride. And the SEC is the biggest test.”

Opportunity to Rebound

Baker is not yet the new normal. Ohio’s other top prospect, linebacker Justin Hilliard of Cincinnati’s St. Xavier, has committed to Ohio State.