A team-by-team look at the 2016 recruiting classes in the Big Ten:
National rank: 5
The Buckeyes have been lights-out on the recruiting trail, as expected, capitalizing off a 2014 national championship and a strong '15 season. The headliner of the class is five-star defensive end Nick Bosa, the No. 3 overall prospect, and Maryland flips Dwayne Haskins Jr. and Keandre Jones. A second impressive defensive end in the class is ESPN 300 in-state end Jonathon Cooper. More speed and playmaking are on the way to Columbus in ESPN 300 running back Demario McCall, while ESPN 300 back Antonio Williams will bring a between-the-tackles presence in the class. On the offensive line, ESPN 300 prospect Tyler Gerald is a key get at guard, as is ESPN 300 tackle Michael Jordan. Tight end will also be in good hands with ESPN 300s Luke Farrell and Jake Hausmann. Receivers Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor are sizable future targets.
National rank: 6
Jim Harbaugh's first full class in Ann Arbor is one of the strongest in the country -- amid some controversy over dropping players from the class. DT Rashan Gary (No. 1 in ESPN 300) was the icing on the cake and should step in and produce at a high level from Day 1. ESPN 300 tackle Ben Bredeson is an offensive headliner and is joined on the offensive front by four-star Michael Onwenu. ESPN 300 Brandon Peters is the big-time quarterback in the class and has a big, athletic target in TE Devin Asiasi (No. 44 in ESPN 300). The state of Florida has been fruitful, led by Miami flip Devin Gil and Joshua Metellus, but the plum is ESPN 300 linebacker Devin Bush Jr. New Jersey is key for the Wolverines, and the early returns feature five of the state's best in Gary, ESPN 300 running back and Ohio State flip Kareem Walker, receiver Brad Hawkins, defensive end Ronald Johnson Jr. and athlete Ahmir Mitchell. ESPN 300 cornerback David Long was a key January win.
National rank: 18
James Franklin is continuing his recruiting prowess with a quality class in Happy Valley. ESPN 300 prospects Shane Simmons and Daniel Joseph are terrific talents at defensive end and are joined by ultra-quick ESPN 300 tackle Ellison Jordan on the defensive front. ESPN 300 linebacker Cameron Brown is full of upside, as is ESPN 300 corner Zechariah McPhearson. Four-star Jake Zembiec is the signal-caller in the class and has one of the nation's top center prospects joining him in Connor McGovern. ESPN 300 running back Miles Sanders is one of the more versatile in the class, as is ESPN 300 tackle/guard Michal Menet.
National rank: 22
ESPN 300 defensive end Josh King leads a Spartans class that also includes size and strength at defensive tackle with four-stars Naquan Jones and Mike Panasiuk. The Spartans are bringing in playmakers at receiver with size in ESPN 300 Justin Layne and four-star Cameron Chambers, but it's ESPN 300 wideout Donnie Corley who is the headliner of the group. Quarterback Messiah DeWeaver was a big win in April. Four-star tackle Thiyo Lukusa was a key regional win, while three-star tight end Noah Davis is a need filler. Three-star athlete Demetric Vance has a bright future.
National rank: 26
The Cornhuskers landed one of the top physical athletes in this class with ESPN 300 prospect Lamar Jackson. They have a solid class led by quarterback and spring riser Patrick O'Brien. Protecting the QB in Lincoln will be ESPN300s John Raridon and Matt Farniok, along with guard Bryan Brokop. ESPN 300 safety and former California commit Marquel Dismuke was a huge win, as was four-star end Quayshon Alexander. Linebacker Greg Simmons is a flip from Miami (FL). Three-star tight end Jack Stoll was a key win out of Colorado.
National rank: 41
As usual, a talented offensive lineman from the Midwest is in the fold in ESPN 300 Cole Van Lanen, along with upside tackle Patrick Kasl. ESPN 300 defensive tackle Garrett Rand is one of two big wins out of Arizona, along with three-star signal-caller Kare' Lyles. Four-star safety Eric Burrell and athlete A.J. Taylor are good bets to see the field early. Three-star defensive end Keldric Preston was a key July grab.
National rank: 43
The Terrapins' first class under D.J. Durkin will be talked about more because of the two massive defections, but there is still talent headed to College Park. Two ESPN300s from DeMatha Catholic Terrance Davis and Tino Ellis will play from day one. There are multiple players from Florida on the list, including running back and Virginia flip Laderrien Wilson and cornerback Antwaine Richardson with all three likely to see time as freshmen. Three-star corner Travon Stott, who missed his senior year due to injury, is a name to remember.
National rank: 49
Iowa is an evaluating and developing machine under Kirk Ferentz, so looking at the class ranking to form a final opinion is short-sighted. Top-rated prospect Noah Fant exemplifies that philosophy with his well-rounded skill-set. The Hawkeyes' class of three-star prospects is headlined on the defensive side by inside linebacker Kyle Taylor and defensive end Brandon Simon. The offensive side is the strength of the class, however, with quarterback Nate Stanley being a big win over Wisconsin, and a pair of 200-pound running backs Toks Akinribade and Barrington Wade. Receiver Frank Darby is a good pick to see the field in Year 1.
National rank: 52
The Wildcats always cast a net nationally due to academic requirements, and the 2016 class is more of the same. The offensive line has help on the way at guard and tackle with three-stars Cameron Kolwich and tackle Jesse Meyler leading the way. Three-star receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman is a good bet to play Year 1, as is defensive end Tommy Carnifax. The linebacker duo of Paddy Fisher and Jango Glackin will likely produce multi-year starters for Pat Fitzgerald.
National rank: 55
The Golden Gophers have a solid class, led by ESPN300 linebacker Carter Coughlin. Another four-star in the fold is quarterback Seth Green, and is joined at quarterback by three-star Kamal Martin. Three-star athlete Phillip Howard could line up on either side of the ball. Three-star offensive tackle Sam Schlueter has a nice ceiling, as does fellow tackle Conner Olson. Junior college running back Kobe McCrary is a Sunshine State talent headed to Minneapolis.
National rank: 58
Coach Kevin Wilson got the Hoosiers to a bowl game in 2015, and that performance has carried over to the recruiting trail. The top two members of the class come from the junior college ranks in quarterback Richard Lagow and safety Jayme Thompson, and both have already enrolled. Three-star tackle Grayson Stover and athlete Brandon Drayton lead a talented group of players from the Sunshine State. Three-star offensive guard Mackenzie Nworah was a flip from Missouri.
National rank: 61
The Boilermakers’ class includes four spring enrollees, including junior college prospects who are considered plug-and-play prospects. Cornerback Kamal Hardy, defensive end Austin Larkin and offensive tackle Jalen Neal will all play early. Purdue dipped into Texas on defense, grabbing tackles Lorenzo Neal and Anthony Watts out of the Houston area. Georgia athlete Benaiah Franklin could end up on either side of the ball. The fastest player in the class could be running back Jack Wegher.
National rank: 64
A class with more downs than ups got better in late January when three-star quarterback Tylin Oden flipped from Louisville to give Chris Ash his future signal-caller. Wide receiver was a position of need, and three-stars K.J. Gray and Taysir Mack greatly help fill the need. The state of Florida is always key for Rutgers, and the 2016 class has delivered three-star running back Trey Sneed and linebacker Jonathan Pollock. Linebacker was also a position of great need, and there is range and speed headed to campus, led by three-star Rashawn Battle.
National rank: 71
The Illini have built a class that includes key prospects from the states of Texas and Florida. The Lone Star State was key in January, with the hire of AJ Ricker, who recruited the Houston area while at Missouri, being a factor. Three-star tight end Zarrian Holcombe and guard Darta Lee will bring much-needed athleticism at their positions. In the Sunshine State, three-star quarterback Eli Peters is already on campus, and is joined by receiver Dominic Thieman. The top in-state prospect is safety Stanley Green. Defensive end Tymir Oliver is another name to remember.