on the "recruited to the B1G" issue -
you are leaving out a word -
originally recruited to play in the B1G.
it's like saying Kirk Cousins was "signed by the Vikings." Well, he was originally signed by Washington. then he moved to MN.
Fox was originally recruited to play at a DII school. then he was re-recruited to play at D1.
So, at one point of his career, he was not seen as a D1 caliber player. Now that he has been re-assessed, he is now seen as a D1 caliber player.
In other words, the Gophers had a number of players this year who were originally not recruited to play in the B1G. Obviously, they ended their careers playing in the B1G. But, just as obviously, that is not where they started.