Last month, Eric took a look at some of Ohio State's newcomers who could see playing time as true freshmen in 2016. Around the conference, there are a number of other talented youngsters to keep an eye on.
Starting in the state of Michigan, the Wolverines have a number of early enrollees who could play major roles this fall, but it all starts with what was a major signing day victory for Jim Harbaugh.
Rashan Gary, the nation's top 2016 prospect, would likely make every early-impact list whether he had signed with Alabama, Ohio State, or any other school. The 6-foot-5, 293-pounder was the top player at every camp he attended and should be impossible to keep off the field, even with some key contributors returning.
As for the players who are already in Ann Arbor, Devin Bush Jr. and Kareem Walker appear to be in the best position to see early playing time. Last week we talked a bit about Big Ten position battles and new defensive coordinator Don Brown being faced with the tall task of replacing all three starting linebackers. Bush Jr.'s early arrival certainly should put him right in the mix for playing time despite being a bit undersized at just 5-foot-11 and 226 pounds.
Kareem Walker looks to see playing time as a freshman.
Kareem Walker opened as the nation's top running back for the 2016 cycle, but the former five-star saw his stock plummet late in the process. Still, Walker could be in a position for some carries this fall. Michigan definitely has some depth at the position with De'Veon Smith and Ty Isaac leading the way, but neither of the two have set the world on fire thus far.
Wide receiver and defensive line should be the story in East Lansing as the Spartans look to replace their top wideouts and three linemen from a season ago. Donnie Corley and Cameron Chambers both enrolled early and should see playing time at wide receiver. It wouldn't be surprising to see Corley become the guy early on in his career; he's got that kind of talent.
Malik McDowell is the lone returning starter at defensive line, so newcomers like Josh King, Naquan Jones, and Mike Panasiuk should all compete for playing time. King, the nation's 6th-ranked defensive end, was a standout in January's Army All-American Bowl.
For the folks in Happy Valley, the biggest "locks" to see early playing time are probably the specialists. James Franklin brought in a pair and the newcomers will be the only two specialists on scholarship in 2016. Thus, kicker Alex Barbir and punter Blake Gillikin should absolutely be kicking some footballs this season.
Miles Sanders, the nation's top-rated tailback, will look to complement Saquon Barkley.
The other expected contributors really shouldn't come as much of a surprise as they're the three top prospects the Nits signed last month. Saquon Barkley burst onto the scene last year as true freshman, and another youngin' is expected to play early and often in 2016. Miles Sanders, a Pittsburgh native, was the nation's top-ranked running back in the class. He and Barkley should be quite the duo for the next couple years. Offensive lineman Michal Menet and defensive end Shane Simmons are both expected to contribute as well.
Over at Wisconsin, the Badgers could turn to some youngsters to help out at wide receiver, along the offensive line, and in the secondary. Paul Chryst will need to replace Alex Erickson, last year's leading wideout. Kansas City's A.J. Taylor was recruited as an athlete but is expected to play wide receiver at the next level. Green Bay's Cole Van Lanen was the top-ranked signee for the Badgers and the 6-foot-5, 285-pounder could battle for playing time in the trenches.
The departures of Darius Hillary, Tanner McEvoy, and Michael Caputo have left Wisconsin with some holes in the secondary. Eric Burrell, the top safety in Maryland last year, could be in line for early playing time at safety. The Badgers' punting game has been abysmal for the last few seasons, and incoming freshman Anthony Lotti could be given an opportunity to help remedy that.
Outside of the traditional conference powers, there are several other newcomers to keep an eye on. The Gophers won out over the Buckeyes for the top player in Minnesota as linebacker Carter Coughlin elected to follow in the footsteps of his mother and father. The legacy should see early playing time and perhaps even compete for one of the starting linebacker or edge-rushing spots.
The Terrapins' top incoming recruits both hail from the powerhouse DeMatha Catholic program. Wideout Tino Ellis and offensive lineman Terrance Davis – a pair of four-stars – should both see the field early and often.
Mike Riley used his West Coast connections to nab one of the nation's top safeties in Lamar Jackson. The Elk Grove, CA standout chose the Huskers over USC and a number of other top programs.
In Bloomington, the Hoosiers will welcome in Akron athlete Jonah Morris. The one-time Spartan pledge played a number of positions in high school, and while some schools were recruiting him as a safety or outside linebacker, he appears to be in line to play wideout at Indiana. Morris also had offers from Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
