Every Power 5 College Football Conference Team's Top Recruit

Every power conference program had an amazing recruiting class in 2015, each getting exactly the players they wanted to fill all the holes and provide necessary depth at key positions. At least, that's how the schools' coaches want it to look like.

Now that the glitz, glamour and drama of national signing day has passed us by, and Alabama has once again secured the nation's top-rated recruiting class according to 247Sports' composite rankings (despite a late push from USC), it's time to break down each group that the big schools landed to see what they've got to work with for 2015.

This starts at the top, by evaluating each one's top-ranked signee. Though they may not end up being the one that makes the greatest impact or contribution—either this fall or over the course of their career—at this juncture their pedigree makes them the most important newcomer and the key ingredient to improvement, sustained success or championship aspirations.

Check out our assessment of the top recruit that every team from the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC (as well as Notre Dame) landed for 2015.

Alabama: Calvin Ridley

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 6'0", 170 lbs

Ranking: 11th

What he brings

Calvin Ridley was an unstoppable force at Monarch High School in Florida, and now he has a chance to replace someone who was even more difficult to slow down: Amari Cooper.

Ridley isn't as big as Cooper, but he's just as skilled and has the upside to become Alabama's best receiver ever. The Crimson Tide locked him down early and kept him from the clutches of in-state suitors Florida State and Miami (Florida).

Of the 34 5-star players Alabama has signed in the past decade, 247Sports rates Ridley as the 13th-best of the lot.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Cooper, Christion Jones and DeAndrew White have departed, taking with them 183 receptions for 2,495 yards and 21 touchdowns. To say that Alabama needs Ridley to contribute immediately is a severe understatement.

Arizona: Keenan Walker

247Sports

Position: Offensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'6", 280 lbs

Ranking: 140th

What he brings

With young skill players for miles, Arizona's offense is set up for a long and productive future. That is assuming the Wildcats are able to have time to throw the ball or can open holes, which is why their top target this year was offensive lineman Keenan Walker.

The second-best product in the state chose Arizona over offers from Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio State, among others.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Walker tore his ACL during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and his status for the fall is up in the air.

Arizona State: Brady White

USA TODAY Sports

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'0.5", 180 lbs

Ranking: 67th

What he brings

Rated as a pocket passer, Brady White ran for 753 yards and 16 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Hart High School in Newhall, California. That mobility will come in handy in an Arizona State offense that thrives on players being able to do multiple things.

Brady, who also threw for 10,835 yards and 106 touchdowns in three high school seasons, was a U.S. Army All-America Bowl participant and made the finals of the Elite 11 competition at The Opening last summer. He's in line to be the Sun Devils' next great quarterback.

Chances he'll play in 2015

White very likely will redshirt in the fall, or at the most get some mop-up time behind Mike Bercovici. Bercovici, a senior, started three games in place of the injured (and now graduated) Taylor Kelly in 2014 and appears the shoo-in to start this season.

Arkansas: Hjalte Froholdt

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'4", 282 lbs

Ranking: 143rd

What he brings

Arkansas' re-emergence under coach Bret Bielema has happened because of diligent work in the trenches, loading up on big and athletic guys who can block on offense or get through and around blockers on the other end. Hjalte Froholdt was the Razorbacks' top get in 2015, and he has the potential to be another standout defensive lineman.

A native of Denmark, who played high school ball in both Ohio and Florida, Froholdt has been on board with Arkansas since December 2013. By identifying him so far in advance, the school was able to guide Froholdt during his prep career in order to better prepare him for the college game.

Chances he'll play in 2015

The surprise move by redshirt sophomore Darius Philon to turn pro leaves an opening at defensive tackle, but Froholdt won't just slide into that role. DeMarcus Hodge and promising 2014 recruit Bijhon Jackson will get first dibs, though the newcomer should get some reps.

Auburn: Byron Cowart

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Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6'4", 250 lbs

Ranking: 3rd

What he brings

Byron Cowart provided a lot of excitement and drama to Wednesday's national signing day, first giving Auburn a huge boost by picking the Tigers over Florida in the morning, then making them wait roughly seven hours for his letter after reports surfaced he'd signed to both Auburn and Florida and was having second thoughts about his choice.

In the end, Cowart's fax arrived on The Plains, and Auburn gets the top-rated defensive end in the country to help shore up a line that struggled mightily with getting pressure on the quarterback in 2014.

The Tigers had only 21.0 sacks in 2014, with no player netting more than 3.5 quarterback takedowns. Cowart himself had 11 (along with 21 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles) as a senior at Armwood High School in Florida.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Auburn lost a lot on its defensive line to graduation, but not as much on the edges. Still, expect new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp (whose move from Florida helped land Cowart) to find a way to get this top prospect involved early on.

Baylor: Jarrett Stidham

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'4", 195 lbs

Ranking: 38th

What he brings

Jarrett Stidham spent a long time as a Texas Tech commit, and his dual-threat skills are something that could have helped broaden what that school did on offense. But after backing out of that pledge in December, the Stephenville, Texas, product decided Baylor was a better fit for what he wanted to achieve, and he enrolled early to get the process started.

Stidham threw for 2,934 yards and 35 touchdowns (with only three interceptions) last season, numbers that are similar to what outgoing Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty became known for. But he also ran for 969 yards and 15 scores, which could make the Bears' already hard-to-stop offense even more dynamic.

Chances he'll play in 2015

With Petty graduating, backup Seth Russell figures to get first crack at taking his place. Stidham could end up sitting out the first year to get better acclimated to the college game, but if his mobility stands out during the offseason he could end up getting used as a freshman.

Boston College: Wyatt Knopfke

Position: Offensive guard

Height, weight: 6'4", 290 lbs

Ranking: 487th

What he brings

Boston College coach Steve Addazio is a big fan of having a team full of "dudes," what he calls hardworking players who buy into his tough-as-nails approach. His most notable such dude for 2015 is one of a slew of offensive linemen the Eagles signed to fill a major immediate need.

Wyatt Knopfke, a Florida native, had offers from Kentucky and Miami (Florida) but chose to head north and committed in April.

Chances he'll play in 2015

BC's entire line from last season has graduated, and if Addazio wants to continue to be a run-first team as it's been the past two years, it might require getting his young linemen up to speed immediately.

California: Carlos Strickland

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 6'5", 194 lbs

Ranking: 165th

What he brings

Though defense is where California needs help the most, it can never have too many receivers in coach Sonny Dykes' Air Raid offense. Carlos Strickland is one of several wideouts the Golden Bears signed, leading the way as the 20th-best receiving prospect in the country and one of the tallest as well.

Pulled out of Dallas and away from Oklahoma, TCU and UCLA, the former Texas Tech commit averaged nearly 22 yards on 41 receptions with 15 touchdowns last season.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Cal had eight players with at least 20 receptions last season, and though all but one of them are set to return this fall, there's more than enough targets to go around. Quarterback Jared Goff has attempted 1,038 passes in his two years, and he's never shy about spreading the ball around.

Clemson: Deon Cain

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 6'1.5", 194 lbs

Ranking: 18th

What he brings

The NFL has been learning what the benefits are to drafting wide receivers that have come out of Clemson's system, and there are a few more on the way that haven't become eligible. Deon Cain is likely to join that list in a few seasons, but not before becoming another go-to wideout for the Tigers.

The third-best wide receiver in the 2015 class picked Clemson over Auburn, LSU and Miami (Florida), and in addition to starring at Tampa Bay Tech High School in Florida he was a standout at The Opening and in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. With 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash, Cain will be among the fastest receivers in the country this upcoming season.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Clemson's top three receivers from last year were freshmen and sophomores, but the Tigers had seven players with at least 12 receptions. Cain might not break records his first year, but he's going to get targeted.

Colorado: Tim Lynott

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Position: Offensive guard/center

Height, weight: 6'4", 290 lbs

Ranking: 328th

What he brings

Nearly every Pac-12 school offered Tim Lynott, as did the likes of Kansas State and Miami (Florida), but the Aurora, Colorado, resident decided to stay close to home. And in doing so, he becomes the highest-rated in-state player to sign with the Buffaloes since 2009, per Tyler Ziskin of BuffStampede.com.

Lynott can play multiple positions on the line, which gives coach Mike MacIntyre some much-needed flexibility.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Both of Colorado's starting guards from last season have graduated, and that line allowed only 23 sacks but struggled to block for the run. Considering how highly rated he is, odds are Lynott will get a chance to contend for a starting job or at least be part of the rotation this fall.

Duke: Ben Humphreys

USA TODAY Sports

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6'1", 200 lbs

Ranking: 164th

What he brings

Duke isn't a national program in football like it is in basketball, but the Blue Devils' recruiting class was heavy on out-of-state kids. That included several from California, led by 4-star prospect Ben Humphreys.

A U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant, Humphreys showed off his versatility in that game last month by recording three tackles, a sack, forcing a fumble and returning an interception 21 yards for a touchdown.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Duke played a 4-2-5 defensive alignment last season, and both starting linebackers have graduated. Look for Humphreys to challenge the returning backups for immediate playing time.

Florida: Martez Ivey

USA TODAY Sports

Position: Offensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'5.5", 275 lbs

Ranking: 2nd

What he brings

Florida didn't get all of the names they wanted on signing day, but it got the biggest one and the guy who has the best chance to help out immediately. Martez Ivey, the top-rated player in the state and the No. 1 offensive lineman, figures to be an instant contributor on an offensive line that graduated 80 percent of its starters.

Ivey was part of the intense recruiting battle between the Gators and Auburn, where former Florida coach Will Muschamp is now defensive coordinator.

His body frame has much room to grow, as he'll need to put on more bulk in order to handle the rigors of the college game. But his skills are already at the level, and he figures to be playing in September.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Ivey might not start at first, despite Florida losing seven linemen from its depth chart, but he'll get in there soon enough.

Florida State: Derwin James

Position: Safety

Height, weight: 6'2", 201 lbs

Ranking: 5th

What he brings

Florida State avoided any major signing day drama by locking up most of its top targets a month ago, led by the early enrollment of Derwin James. The top-rated safety in 2015 has been committed to the Seminoles since February 2012, long before they won a national title and played in the national semifinals.

Known as one of the hardest-hitting players in the class, James has a big body that will patrol the middle of the secondary and has the size and speed to cover any level of receiver.

"James is as prepared as any high school senior to play safety in Tallahassee," 247Sports' Barton Simmons wrote.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Both of Florida State's starting safeties return this fall, but James figures to still get a shot to compete for playing time. He's too talented to be kept off the field.

Georgia: Trent Thompson

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'2.5", 313 lbs

Ranking: 1st

What he brings

The top overall player in 247Sports' composite rankings avoided any of the drama that comes around signing day, sticking to his commitment to in-state Georgia that he made in August.

"They were still coming after me, but I told a lot of them to stop because I wasn’t interested," Thompson told Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer of his many non-Bulldog suitors, including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida and USC.

Georgia was thankful to hold onto the instant contributor, as it lost other commitments in the final weeks that lowered the prowess of the overall class. But Thompson kept it ranked high because of the expectation that he'll be a superstar from the opening snap.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Starter Mike Thornton and backup Toby Johnson have graduated, so there's little in the way of Thompson being the opening day starter in early September.

Georgia Tech: Christian Philpott

247Sports

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 6'3", 203 lbs

Ranking: 499th

What he brings

Despite throwing less often than nearly every team in FBS, Georgia Tech still has a need for big-play receivers to target when the option run game has lulled defenses into overloading the box. Paul Johnson has a certain type he likes out of those wideouts, tall pass-catchers who can go up and get the ball at its highest point.

Christian Philpott fits that description to a tee, and the Yellow Jackets pulled him out of Tallahassee and away from offers by Iowa State, Louisville, Maryland, Miami (Florida) and Wisconsin.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Only 12 of the 106 receptions made by Georgia Tech players last season have graduated, so there's an immediate need to get wideouts into the rotation. Look for Philpott to be a prime candidate to start, assuming he's able to meet the blocking needs that come with the option game.

Illinois: Gabe Megginson

247Sports

Position: Offensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'5", 295 lbs

Ranking: 193rd

What he brings

The best recruiting class that Tim Beckman has landed in his four seasons still ranked only seventh-best in the Big Ten, but the progress was noticeable. Grabbing the second-best prospect from in the state was a step in the right direction.

Megginson was a standout at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, and has the versatility to play multiple offensive line positions.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Illinois' starting tackles were underclassmen last season, but it graduated a guard and its center. If Megginson is able to slide into one of those roles, he'll see plenty of time this fall.

Indiana: Jordan Howard

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Position: Running back

Height, weight: 6'1", 228 lbs

Ranking: N/A (transferred from UAB)

What he brings

The decision to shut down UAB's football program just as it was starting to make strides was one of the most depressing storylines of the 2014 season. But it also meant that some of the Blazers' best players who still had eligibility had a chance to head elsewhere and make an impact at a bigger program.

Indiana landed the biggest UAB fish, picking up Jordan Howard on the heel of his 1,587 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. With eight 100-yard games (and a solid 89.5 yards-per-game average against SEC opponents) last season, Howard gives the Hoosiers an instant replacement for 2,000-yard rusher Tevin Coleman.

"He's a great fit in the Big Ten, especially with the weather being a factor late in the year, and he fits what Indiana wants to do offensively," former UAB coach Bill Clark told Kyle Rowland of The Journal Gazette. "He's stepping into a place that really needs him and is going to be a great addition to that program."

Chances he'll play in 2015

It's as close to a guarantee as possible that Howard will be Indiana's starting tailback this fall. With Coleman leaving for the NFL and No. 2 rusher D'Angelo Roberts graduating, the Hoosiers have no returning player who had more than 118 yards last season.

Iowa: James Daniels

247Sports

Position: Offensive guard

Height, weight: 6'4", 304 lbs

Ranking: 336th

What he brings

Iowa is always in the running for top-tier offensive linemen, considering the program's history of developing them into NFL standouts. James Daniels could be the next in that group, leaving Ohio for Hawkeye country.

Daniels is a lineman that Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said he's had on his radar for three years, since recruiting current Hawkeyes junior running back LeShun Daniels to the program.

"We're just really fortunate to have the opportunity to recruit James and get him out here," Ferentz said, per Todd Brommelkamp of 247Sports.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Iowa graduated two linemen from last season, but neither was a guard. The Hawkeyes tend to redshirt their big guys, so Daniels might sit out this fall in order to develop and build strength.

Iowa State: Demond Tucker

247Sports

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'1", 285 lbs

Ranking: 38th (junior college)

What he brings

The loss of three players from its defensive line—two due to dismissal, one who quit the program—last offseason put Iowa State in a major depth situation up front for 2014. As a result, the Cyclones pushed hard to fill some holes on the line, and Demond Tucker topped their list.

Tucker, the 2013 NJCAA defensive player of the year, spent the past two seasons at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi. He chose ISU over Arizona State, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Iowa State used five freshmen and sophomores at the tackle positions last year, so Tucker will step right in and be as experienced as those returners. The Cyclones had only 15 sacks and 58 tackles for loss in 2014.

Kansas: Ryan Willis

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'4", 195 lbs

Ranking: 698th

What he brings

Ryan Willis is the fourth-rated player from the state of Kansas, a pro-style passer that former coach Charlie Weis got a commitment from in May and who stuck around after Weis was fired and David Beaty took over. He threw for 3,003 yards and 35 touchdowns last year for Bishop Miege in Mission, per Max Preps.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Willis won't show up until the summer, at which time Kansas holdovers Montell Cozart and Michael Cummings handle Beaty's more uptempo attack.

"Willis probably fit the offense of Weis a bit better, but he has the accuracy to make a push in the Jayhawks’ new system, likely a version of Air Raid," Kevin Flaherty of 247Sports wrote.

Kansas State: Elijah Sullivan

247Sports

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6'1", 215 lbs

Ranking: 382nd

What he brings

Kansas State dipped into SEC territory to find its top two players, both of whom starred together at Tucker High School in Georgia. Duke Shelley, a 3-star defensive back, had been on board since April, but teammate Elijah Sullivan gave the Wildcats their best signee when he committed Wednesday.

Sullivan, rated as the 30th-best outside linebacker in the country, opted not to sign with Auburn after being asked to grayshirt this season, per Justin Hokanson of 247Sports.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Leading tackler Jonathan Truman has graduated, as did solid veteran Dakorey Johnson, leaving a gaping hole in the linebacker corps. Expect Sullivan to get a shot to contribute immediately.

Kentucky: Eli Brown

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6'2", 190 lbs

Ranking: 277th

What he brings

The second-best prospect in Kentucky has been on the Wildcats' board since last spring, after originally committing to Vanderbilt during his junior year. On the small side, he's got room to grow and figures to be a key piece of Kentucky's defense in the future with proper development.

"He can run and change direction," Kentucky coach Mark Stoops told Jon Hale of 247Sports. "He's very explosive and very talented."

Chances he'll play in 2015

Because of his size, Brown is a prime candidate to be redshirted. He'll need to get a lot bigger and stronger to be able to contribute, but he has huge upside.

Louisville: Devonte Fields

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Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6'4", 240 lbs

Ranking: 5th (junior college)

What he brings

Louisville didn't just land a player who had a monster year in junior college, including 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. It also grabbed a once-great prospect who in 2012 was the Big 12 Conference's defensive player of the year, but who because of injuries and legal troubles has played only three games at the Division I level since.

Fields was hurt early in the 2013 season, resulting in a redshirt in his second year with TCU, then was dismissed the following summer after being arrested for misdemeanor assault in connection with a domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend. He spent last season at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas before choosing Louisville, a team that has picked up other dispatched players from FBS teams under coach Bobby Petrino.

"I believe in second chances," Petrino told The Associated Press (h/t Fox Sports). "And sometimes third chances. Every one of them is (judged) on an individual basis."

Chances he'll play in 2015

The Cardinals graduated one defensive end and two linebackers, and Fields has the size, speed and skills to play either position. Expect him to be involved in the front seven in multiple facets.

LSU: Kevin Toliver II

Position: Cornerback

Height, weight: 6'2", 185 lbs

Ranking: 8th

What he brings

He flirted with Florida State and UCLA, but Kevin Toliver II aligned with LSU early and stuck to his guns, enrolling in January as the top recruit the Tigers landed this season. He joins a position group that was hardest hit by the program's annual attrition that comes from graduation and NFL early entry, and can provide instant relief.

Toliver had only six interceptions in high school in Florida, but his numbers don't show how great he was at locking down strong receivers. He has the skills to be the one guarding opponents' best targets and taking them out of the offense.

"He's technically sound for a freshman, physical and has displayed a good attitude and good work habits," Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com wrote. "His fluid running style puts him in the race for a starting job."

Chances he'll play in 2015

Toliver has a very good shot at that starting gig, with his main competition being Ed Paris. The NFL departure of Jalen Collins (along with both starting safeties, who each graduated) leaves LSU's secondary lacking in experience.

Maryland: Adam McLean

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Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'2", 290 lbs

Ranking: 124th

What he brings

Though it seemed silly at the time, Maryland's attempt to create a rivalry with Penn State by refusing to shake hands during the pregame coin toss before their Nov. 1 road win had some lingering positive results. A few week later, Adam McLean decommitted from the Nittany Lions and eventually switched to Maryland, adding to this burgeoning feud.

McLean has a reputation for being a noted recruiter himself, per Kevin Ryan of 247Sports. His joining the Terrapins could pay off dividends for years to come.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Maryland's entire starting defensive line has graduated, so expect McLean to be thrown into the mix as soon as he arrived this summer.

Miami (Florida): Mark Walton

Position: Running back

Height, weight: 5'10", 179 lbs

Ranking: 83rd

What he brings

Miami's recruiting goals included finding a replacement for Duke Johnson, who it assumed would turn pro after this past season. The best option for a running back prospect happened to be in the Hurricanes' backyard, as they tapped into the fertile territory of Booker T. Washington High School to nab Mark Walton.

Walton, who ran for 1,470 yards and 22 touchdowns last season for the 4A state champions, is smaller than Johnson but still runs with power as well as speed. He can bulk up and fit well with Miami's offense, which he ended up choosing despite late pushes by Florida, Georgia and West Virginia.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Though Johnson turned pro, Miami still has a decent amount coming back to its backfield. Joseph Yearby ran for 500-plus yards as a freshman, while Gus Edwards scored six touchdowns as a sophomore.

Walton figures to get some action, but he won't be carrying the load anytime soon.

Michigan: Brian Cole

Position: Cornerback

Height, weight: 6'2", 190 lbs

Ranking: 74th

What he brings

Jim Harbaugh and his staff made a heck of a late push to flip a number of prospects from other schools, but in the end Michigan's top recruit was one that was still on board when Brady Hoke was fired in December.

Brian Cole, the top-rated player in Michigan, committed to the Wolverines in July and he remained loyal despite the team struggling and other Big Ten schools jumping into the race. He had five interceptions as a senior at Saginaw's Heritage High School, and also has the skills to be part of the return game or potentially on offense.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Slated as a defensive back before anything else, Cole could be a perfect replacement for the graduated Raymon Taylor at cornerback.

Michigan State: Larry Scott

Position: Running back

Height, weight: 6'2", 228 lbs

Ranking: 59th

What he brings

Michigan State's offense has been efficient and effective the past two years, a lot of that because of the running style and strength shown by running back Jeremy Langford. The Spartans saw the same attributes while recruiting Larry Scott, one of the biggest backs in the 2015 class, and quickly realized he was the one they wanted for the future.

Scott ran for 2,819 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior in Hubbard, Ohio, and for his career had nearly 7,500 yards and 98 TDs.

"Scott is a battering ram with agility and he’ll be extremely productive for the Spartans," wrote 247Sports' Barton Simmons.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Both Langford and backup Nick Hill have graduated, so the Spartans have an immediate need for a go-to rusher. Scott showed the ability to be a workhorse in high school, carrying it 813 times in 46 career games, and he will compete with junior-to-be Delton Williams for the starting spot.

Minnesota: Dior Johnson

Position: Safety

Height, weight: 6'1.5", 195 lbs

Ranking: 706th

What he brings

Previously a Wake Forest commit, Dior Johnson backed out on Jan. 27 a few days after visiting Minnesota. He committed the next day, likely drawn by the ability to play closer to his Southfield, Michigan, home and alongside former high school teammate Ray Buford Jr., a 3-star athlete who had pledged to the Golden Gophers in the summer.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Minnesota signed several defensive backs, a necessity with two starters and two reserves graduating from the secondary. Considering the Gophers' late push to get him, Johnson will be considered for immediate playing time.

Mississippi State: Jamal Peters

Position: Safety

Height, weight: 6'1.5", 206 lbs

Ranking: 58th

What he brings

A defensive back who was as effective in the secondary as at the line of scrimmage, Jamal Peters comes to Mississippi State as the second-best prospect from Mississippi and helped the Bulldogs avoid many surprises on signing day. He was one of a slew of top recruits that coach Dan Mullen had lined up back in the summer, though Peters did visit LSU in January to keep his options open.

Last season, Peters had five interceptions but also recorded 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss along with a forced fumble. That versatility should fit in well with an MSU team that struggled down the stretch last year with tackling and slowing down running attacks.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Strong safety Deontay Evans has graduated, so there's a starting spot available. More likely, Peters will be used in a rotation with junior Kivon Coman and others until he's ready to take the job on full time.

Missouri: Terry Beckner Jr.

USA TODAY Sports

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'4", 293 lbs

Ranking: 13th

What he brings

Missouri's reputation for producing NFL-caliber defensive linemen paid off in spades on signing day, as 5-star prospect Terry Beckner went the Tigers' way instead of opting for Auburn, Florida State and Ohio State.

Beckner has registered 235 tackles over the past two seasons for East St. Louis High School, playing both tackle and end in an effort to maximize his skills. With tears in his eyes, Beckner chose the nearby school rather than set out away from family, and those family members will no doubt be making regular trips to Columbia over the next few seasons.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Defensive ends Markus Golden and Shane Ray have moved on, as has tackle Matt Hoch, but Mizzou's depth on the line is superb. Harold Brantley will anchor a group that brings back a number of contributors to a group that had 104 tackles for loss in 2014.

According to Bleacher Report's Tim Daniels, Beckner is "likely to play a rotational role" at first so he can learn the system and play alongside the Tigers' other defensive linemen. It's a formula that's worked over the years to turn Mizzou into a D-lineman factory. 

Nebraska: Eric Lee

247Sports

Position: Cornerback

Height, weight: 6'0", 175 lbs

Ranking: 127th

What he brings

Mike Riley had barely had time to put pictures of his family on his new desk at Nebraska when he was out on the recruiting trail, trying to hold on to the best of the prospects that had committed prior to Bo Pelini getting fired. He couldn't keep them all in tow, but he managed to hold onto a key player who figures to make a big impact in the secondary.

Eric Lee, the top-ranked player from Colorado, stayed loyal to Nebraska and enrolled in January.

"We made it a concerted effort to go out and say, ‘We want you to come and this is why you chose a great place, this is who we are, and hoped that it meshed,'" Riley told reporters Wednesday, per Michael Bruntz of 247Sports.

Chances he'll play in 2015

A corner spot is open with Josh Mitchell graduating, so look for Lee to get involved in the rotation during the spring and possibly be a starter when the season begins.

North Carolina: Jalen Dalton

Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6'5", 235 lbs

Ranking: 57th

What he brings

North Carolina needs defensive help in a big way, and Jalen Dalton figures to be a major boost to fixing a unit that ranked 120th nationally in yards allowed and gave up nearly 40 points per game in 2014.

Dalton, the nation's third-best weak-side defensive end and the No. 2 prospect from the Tar Heel State, also had a lot of interest from Virginia Tech, but he decided to stay in state and enroll early. He can get a jump on being part of the solution in 2015.

Chances he'll play in 2015

UNC graduated bandit Norkeithus Otis, leaving the door open for Dalton to start as a true freshman. Considering the amount of time he's already spent on campus, both during the recruitment process and since beginning school in January, he's shown his dedication to the program and will contribute right away.

North Carolina State: Johnny Frasier

Position: Running back

Height, weight: 5'10", 229 lbs

Ranking: 76th

What he brings

With a slew of running backs highlighting its class, North Carolina State is making a push to be a future rushing power in the ACC. Johnny Frasier was the best of the group, and figures to be involved in the Wolfpack's more immediate plans.

The nation's No. 7 rusher and third-best player in North Carolina ran for 2,266 yards and 33 touchdowns as a season, tallying 7,100 yards and 99 scores in three years. He was originally committed to Florida State, but he flipped closer to home about 10 days before signing. Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, South Carolina and Tennessee were also in the mix.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Three-year starter Shadrach Thornton is back for his senior year, so there's not an immediate need for Frasier's services. But expect him to get touches and work his way into action as the season goes on, eventually sliding into the starting role at some point.

Northwestern: Jordan Thompson

247Sports

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'3", 250 lbs

Ranking: 415th

What he brings

Jordan Thompson might not have been high on a lot of team's radars, but he did catch the eye of the nation's perennial recruiting powers. Just days after committing to Northwestern last May, the undersized defensive tackle landed an offer from Alabama.

He stuck with the Wildcats, though, and coach Pat Fitzgerald is none the happier about it.

"His size and athleticism goes a long way," Fitzgerald said of Thompson on Wednesday, per Chris Emma of 247Sports.

Chances he'll play in 2015

The Wildcats bring back most of their two-deep on the defensive line, so Thompson will be hard-pressed to get significant time unless he makes a great impression of injuries occur.

Notre Dame: Brandon Wimbush

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'2", 205 lbs

Ranking: 45th

What he brings

Controversy surrounding Notre Dame's quarterback position existed before last season and then re-emerged late in 2014 as Everett Golson struggled and Malik Zaire waited in the wings. This will carry over into the spring and summer, as Zaire has moved ahead and Golson could be a candidate to transfer.

The Fighting Irish are hoping their next top-flight quarterback, Brandon Wimbush, doesn't come with any such drama beyond flipping from Penn State to Notre Dame last October.

Wimbush didn't run much in high school, but he threw for more than 3,100 yards and 36 touchdowns in New Jersey. He has great mobility, something coach Brian Kelly is looking for in his passers, so look for him to become more of a dual-threat talent as he develops in Notre Dame's system.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Wimbush isn't likely to see the field this fall, unless Golson were to leave and Zaire gets hurt or struggles mightily.

Ohio State: Justin Hilliard

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6'0", 225 lbs

Ranking: 34th

What he brings

The reigning national champions landed only one five-star prospect in this recruiting class, and he's been on board for a while. Cincinnati product Justin Hilliard committed in the summer and stayed true to that pledge, keeping in regular contact with the Buckeyes' coaching staff to make sure he was still on board.

Hilliard is one of three linebackers that OSU signed this time around, helping to fill out depth at that position but also looking for guys that have the capability of contributing early.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Hilliard should play a little bit, but not as much as star recruit Raekwon McMillan did in 2014. Only Curtis Grant moves on from the two-deep depth chart, so Hilliard has the opportunity to be brought along slowly and without a need to rush him into action.

Oklahoma: Neville Gallimore

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'2", 330 lbs

Ranking: 72nd

What he brings

Some of the nation's top programs headed north of the border to try to land Canada's No. 1 prospect, with Auburn, Florida State and Ohio State all having the massive defensive lineman in for visits this fall. He stuck with his first choice, though, signing with Oklahoma after committing to the Sooners during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January.

With amazing explosiveness for a player his size, Gallimore has also been clocked at 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He'll be a space-eater and help plug up holes in the middle of the Sooners' defensive line for years to come.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Jordan Phillips went pro after his redshirt sophomore year, paving the way for Gallimore to get into the mix as soon as he arrives on campus. Oklahoma has redshirted many defensive linemen in the past few years, but Gallimore might buck that trend.

Oklahoma State: Darrion Daniels

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'3.5", 290 lbs

Ranking: 260th

What he brings

Darrion Daniels was heavily pursued by nearly every Big 12 team, as well as the likes of Iowa and Minnesota, and Oklahoma State wasn't given much of a chance. 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictor didn't give the Cowboys any hope, yet the weekend before signing day Daniels picked OSU and became their best prospect.

The Dallas native could end up being a major hole-plugger in the middle of OK State's defense.

Chances he'll play in 2015

James Castleman and Ofa Hautau both graduated, so the Cowboys have immediate needs in the middle of the defensive line. Look for Daniels to get a shot right away.

Ole Miss: Damarkus Lodge

LM Otero/Associated Press

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 6'2.5", 190 lbs

Ranking: 42nd

What he brings

Coveted by LSU, Texas, Texas A&M and USC, Damarkus Lodge instead decided to leave Texas for Ole Miss, where he can make an instant impact to a receiving corps that has talent but not much depth.

Lodge caught 25 touchdown passes last season, and 22 the year before that, both outleaping and outracing defenders to get to the ball. He'll look great opposite Laquon Treadwell and provide the Rebels' new quarterback with a big target who he can just throw the ball up to and expect a catch.

"I plan on coming in and playing as a freshman," Lodge said while announcing his decision on ESPNU on Wednesday, per David Johnson of 247Sports.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Treadwell broke his leg in November and will be working back slowly from that injury, while Ole Miss also graduated No. 1 receiver Vince Sanders. Lodge's prediction of immediate contribution figures to come true.

Oregon: Canton Kaumatule

247Sports

Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6'7", 290 lbs

Ranking: 16th

What he brings

Marcus Mariota's jump to the pros after his Heisman-winning junior year was the most glaring loss that Oregon suffered after the 2014 season. But with strong options on the roster (as well as through the transfer route, potentially), the need for instant help at that position wasn't as pressing as elsewhere for the Ducks.

Getting a ready-to-play defensive lineman was a much bigger deal, which made the commitment of Canton Kaumatule in the fall a huge get. The top-rated player from Hawaii—the same place Mariota came from—was a standout two-way player who has offensive and defensive line skills and also an amazing first step on defense.

Kaumatule "has the ceiling of the No. 1 player in the country," wrote Barton Simmons of 247Sports, which had him rated No. 1 overall during his junior year of high school.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Arik Armstead also turned pro as a junior, and his defensive end spot is up for the taking. Kaumatule enrolled in January to get a head start on landing the starting job and figures to be on the field for Oregon's first snaps in September.

Oregon State: Christian Folau

247Sports

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6'1", 240 lbs

Ranking: 388th

What he brings

Oregon State's recruiting class got a big boost right before signing day when Christian Folau, a former Stanford commit, decided to head to Corvallis rather than take offers from Oklahoma State, Utah and Wisconsin. He had visited Wisconsin shortly because Gary Andersen left to take the Beavers job, and the impression must have stuck with Folau.

"Gary Andersen was the first coach to offer me when he was at Utah State and that always meant a lot to me," Folau told Brandon Gurney of the Deseret News. "I was just a freshman when he offered and it was amazing and said a lot about how much he thought of me as a player."

Chances he'll play in 2015

None. According to Gurney, Folau plans to serve his Mormon mission before enrolling at Oregon State.

Penn State: Saquon Barkley

Position: Running back

Height, weight: 5'11", 190 lbs

Ranking: 123rd

What he brings

Penn State has its franchise quarterback, at least for one more season, while coach James Franklin has loaded up on playmaking wide receivers over the past two years. What the Nittany Lions' offense still needs is a reliable running back, and Saquon Barkely will be given a chance to be that guy as PSU's top recruit of 2015.

Barkley ran for 1,851 yards and 24 touchdowns last season for Whitehall High School in Pennsylvania, and he's been on board with the Lions for a year.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Leading rusher Akeel Lynch, who emerged last season after Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak faltered, was just a sophomore. There are other young running backs in the program as well, and Barkley could end up redshirting, but if Penn State continues to struggle with production on the ground he might be looked to as the answer by midseason.

Pittsburgh: Jordan Whitehead

Position: Cornerback

Height, weight: 5'11", 185 lbs

Ranking: 106th

What he brings

New coach Pat Narduzzi didn't have much time to make inroads among the state's top players, but he was able to hang on to Jordan Whitehead. The No. 1 prospect from Pennsylvania had committed to previous coach Paul Chryst's staff in October, and the cousin of NFL great (and Pitt alum) Darrelle Revis seems like the perfect fit for Narduzzi's style of play.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Pitt graduated safety Ray Vinopal, but the rest of the secondary is relatively young. He might not start, but Whitehead figures to get reps and could work out as a great nickel corner as he breaks into the rotation.

Purdue: Elijah Sindelar

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'4", 200 lbs

Ranking: 459th

What he brings

For the fourth straight season, a quarterback has been at or near the top of Purdue's recruiting acquisitions, yet the Boilermakers continue to be in the search of their next great passer. Elijah Sindelar is the latest potential savior, a 3-star pro-style quarterback from Kentucky who threw for 3,609 yards and 49 touchdowns last season for Caldwell County in 2014.

Chances he'll play in 2015

A pair of sophomores—Austin Appleby and Danny Etling—split time at quarterback in 2014, and Purdue also has redshirted 3-star passer David Blough from last year's class to work in as well. Sindelar would need to outshine them all, but he enrolled early and will get that chance in the spring.

Rutgers: Marques Ford

Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6'4", 230 lbs

Ranking: 275th

What he brings

Tennessee's loss was Rutgers' gain, as an overabundance of defensive end recruits pledged to the Volunteers prompted Marques Ford to reopen his recruitment late last month and ultimately decide to be a part of Rutgers' second season in the Big Ten Conference.

Ford, a 4-star prospect, is the 18th-best strong-side end in the 2015 class. He committed to the Scarlet Knights a week before visiting them.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Rutgers' roster wasn't exactly built for the Big Ten last year, so the Knights tried to load upon defensive line prospects this winter. David Milewski and Kenneth Kirksey also graduated, leaving openings available for the newcomers like Ford to get involved immediately.

South Carolina: Marquavius Lewis

247Sports

Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6'4", 271 lbs

Ranking: 3rd (junior college)

What he brings

South Carolina's defensive line went from unstoppable in 2013 to impossibly bad last season. This year's version figures to be a lot better, if only because of the influx of talent the Gamecocks signed for that unit.

Marquavius Lewis leads the pack, coming to Columbia after starring for two years at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. The South Carolina native had 11.0 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss this past season, and his time at that top-tier junior college has him ready to step right into the lineup.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Lewis might not start this fall, as South Carolina has a number of returners, but he figures to be a regular contributor and find his way onto the field for passing situations at the outset.

Stanford: Trent Irwin

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 6'1.5", 189 lbs

Ranking: 70th

What he brings

Roughly 40 percent of Stanford's receiving production has graduated in the form of Devon Cajuste and Ty Montgomery, and the Cardinal sought to address this pending hole in the 2015 class by targeting one of the top 10 wideouts in the country, Trent Irwin.

The in-state product also had offers from Arizona State, Minnesota, Texas Tech and UCLA after catching 106 passes for 1,974 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior. He finished his high school career with 57 TD catches.

"He is a guy with a wealth of offensive knowledge and arguably one of the best route-runners in the country," wrote Damon Griffin of 247Sports.

Chances he'll play in 2015

With Cajuste and Montgomery gone, Stanford's top returning receiver is a tight end. Only one receiver with more than 10 receptions is back, so Irwin very likely will be among the top candidates for a starting spot in September.

Syracuse: Dontae Strickland

Position: Athlete

Height, weight: 5'11", 180 lbs

Ranking: 460th

What he brings

Syracuse has many different holes that need to be filled in order to improve off last year's dismal 3-9 record, and Dontae Strickland could handle any or all of those needs depending on how he's used. At South Brunswick High School in New Jersey, he played running back, receiver, safety and also returned kicks and punts.

He ran for 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns and had more than 1,900 all-purpose yards in 2014.

Chances he'll play in 2015

The Orange graduated their top two running backs and have little experience coming back. Throw in that mobile quarterback Terrel Hunt is coming back from a broken leg, and Strickland figures to get touches in the backfield.

TCU: Deshawn Raymond

Position: Cornerback

Height, weight: 6'1", 190 lbs

Ranking: 280th

What he brings

TCU wasn't able to land any of the big fish it threw its line out for on the recruiting trail, but the Horned Frogs did answer their biggest need areas. Deshawn Raymond helps keep the rising power's secondary from skipping a beat by providing another fast and skilled defensive back into the mix.

An early enrollee, the Louisiana product also had offers from Arkansas, LSU and Mississippi State.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Lockdown corner Kevin White graduated, but TCU has plenty of other prospects waiting in the wings to take his spot. Raymond could get a shot, or might end up being held back for future use.

Tennessee: Kahlil McKenzie

247Sports

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'3", 354 lbs

Ranking: 6th

What he brings

Tennessee's second straight amazing recruiting class is headlined by a legacy player who would have been a top target even if his father hadn't starred for the Volunteers in the past.

Kahlil McKenzie, the son of former Tennessee linebacker Reggie McKenzie, was plucked out of California as that state's second-best prospect. He was a constant riser in the recruiting rankings after stellar showings at The Opening and in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and he's been one of the most colorful prospects throughout the process.

There's also that massive amount of size he possesses, which prompted Tennessee coach Butch Jones to quip "the first time I saw Kahlil McKenzie in a 3-point stance, I was like, 'Well, that takes care of the A gap, the B gap and the C gap,'" per Wes Rucker of 247Sports.

Paired with 2014 freshman breakout Derek Barnett at defensive end, Tennessee has the makings of one of the best defensive lines in the SEC, if not the country.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Starting tackle Jordan Williams graduated, so McKenzie has the chance to be the starter in the fall. If not, he'll certainly be in the rotation and get meaningful snaps.

Texas: Malik Jefferson

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6'2.5", 215 lbs

Ranking: 10th

What he brings

The top-rated player in Texas had pretty much every major in-state program hot on his trail during the recruiting process, as well as LSU, Oklahoma and UCLA. He didn't drag out the drama, though, tabbing the Longhorns as his choice in December and then enrolling in January.

Jefferson had 31 sacks in three seasons of high school football, and he figures to be a hybrid type of player who could line up on the line of scrimmage to rush the passer, hang back in coverage or dive at gaps where running backs are headed. Whatever he does, he'll make Texas' already strong defense that much more stout.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Jefferson is almost a guarantee to start as a true freshman, or at least see significant time. The Longhorns graduated two starters from the linebacker corps, and his skills are just too well-developed at this point to keep him off the field.

Texas A&M: Daylon Mack

USA TODAY Sports

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'1", 330 lbs

Ranking: 14th

What he brings

Defensive deficiencies have kept Texas A&M from being able to truly contend for top honors in the SEC and nationally, no matter how good it has been on offense on coach Kevin Sumlin. The work has been put in these past two recruiting classes to land some top defensive talent, with last season's group producing defensive end Myles Garrett and now this time around grabbing 5-star tackle Daylon Mack.

Mack, who decommitted from the Aggies in December but then still picked them on signing day—after visiting Auburn and Texas—will be a perfect complement to breakout star Garrett in A&M's effort to stop being the butt of jokes on defense.

An accomplished running back in high school who bulldozes his way into the end zone with regularity, Mack possesses far more speed than you'd expect from such a big body. He was regularly in the opposing team's backfield during January's Under Armour All-America Game, blowing right past highly regarded offensive linemen.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Mack could almost be penciled in to the open tackle spot left vacant by the graduation of Ivan Robinson, but it's not a guarantee. Other young prospects that A&M has brought in the past two years will be in the running, though come September Mack figures to have won that battle.

Texas Tech: Breiden Fehoko

USA TODAY Sports

Position: Defensive tackle/defensive end

Height, weight: 6'3", 290 lbs

Ranking: 50th

What he brings

Texas Tech will go only as far as its defense will allow it, as that unit has struggled the past two years to make many stops or have much of a semblance of a pass rush. Breiden Fehoko has the capability to fix almost every problem the Red Raiders have up front, and as an early enrollee he's already getting acclimated to what Tech's new defensive coaches want from him.

Plucked out of Hawaii, picking Tech over offers from Pac-12 schools as well as BYU and Oklahoma, Fehoko has a chance to be one of the biggest instant impact players in college this fall.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Nose tackle Jackson Richards graduated, but the rest of Tech's starting down linemen were juniors. Regardless, Fehoko will work his way into the lineup and likely will be starting at some point in 2015.

UCLA: Josh Rosen

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'4", 205 lbs

Ranking: 12th

What he brings

The No. 1 pro-style passer in his recruiting class, Josh Rosen has been on UCLA's campus for a month already in his effort to become the successor to three-year standout Brett Hundley. After dominating at the high school level and in various elite-level competitions, Rosen appears ready to play right away.

Rosen threw for 8,473 yards and 90 touchdowns in three seasons at Don Bosco Prep in California, helming a program that spent time as the No. 1-ranked high school team in the country.

"Rosen has one of the most accurate deep balls in the country," Damon Griffin of 247Sports wrote. "He plays with confidence and a moxie you want in your quarterback, there’s not a throw that Rosen doesn’t feel he can’t make."

Chances he'll play in 2015

It will be between Rosen, Hundley backup Jerry Neuheisel and redshirt sophomore Asiantii Woulard for the starting job. Rosen has the edge, based on his pedigree, but still has to perform in the spring and summer to lock up the gig.

USC: Iman Marshall

Position: Cornerback

Height, weight: 6'1", 190 lbs

Ranking: 4th

What he brings

California's highest-rated player and the No. 1 cornerback in the country made his college choice official through a slick video that he produced in conjunction with Bleacher Report (see above) and showed how he's a lifelong Los Angeles-area product who wanted to stay dedicated to his roots. The short film also showed the kind of flair and flash that USC is getting added to its already strong secondary.

Marshall made 79 tackles and broke up 16 passes for Long Beach Poly as a senior, taking on all comers in solidifying his reputation as a lockdown corner. Marshall has the size to match up with big receivers and can keep pace with the fastest of the lot, and there are quite a few of each in the Pac-12.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Adoree' Jackson has one corner position locked up, though his versatility that is used on offense and special teams makes him susceptible to needing breaks on defense. Marshall can get thrown into the mix in that manner, or try to beat out Kevon Seymour on the other side.

Utah: Cory Butler

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 5'11", 175 lbs

Ranking: 24th (junior college)

What he brings

Playmakers in the receiving corps showed up from time to time for Utah last season, but consistency didn't exist. As a result, the Utes' offense often became one-dimensional and focused too much on running back Devontae Booker.

Now quarterback Travis Wilson has another weapon to work with, as Utah brings in the fourth-best junior college wideout in the country. Originally a Kansas commit, Butler has a reputation as a speedster who can take the top off defenses.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Kaelin Clay graduated, one of three players among Utah's top four receiving targets who won't be back this season. Butler was brought in to play right away, and he should get a shot at starting.

Vanderbilt: Josh Smith

247Sports

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6'3", 228 lbs

Ranking: 142nd

What he brings

Vanderbilt's disastrous 2014 season could have led to a horrible recruiting effort, but Derek Mason was still able to land a pair of 4-star players including Josh Smith. The third-best inside linebacker and No. 5 player from the state of Tennessee, Smith helps salvage the worst class in the SEC.

It wasn't easy, though, as Smith made visits to Oklahoma and Oregon after playing in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl but stuck with the Commodores.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Vandy was very young at linebacker last season, with rising stars Nigel Bowden and Stephen Weatherly both underclassmen. A spot is open on the outside, but if the Commodores want to keep Smith at his natural position it might mean easing him slowly into action.

Virginia: Jahvoni Simmons

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6'1", 225 lbs

Ranking: 150th

What he brings

Another emphasis on immediate defensive help targeted Jahvoni Simmons early in the 2015 recruiting cycle, and Virginia was able to hold onto the in-state prospect despite offers from Alabama, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan State, Ole Miss and Oregon. 

Chances he'll play in 2015

All three starting linebackers have left the program, including middle linebacker and three-year starter Henry Coley. Simmons plays best on the inside, but will need to add a little more bulk in order to land the starting job as a true freshman.

Virginia Tech: Tim Settle

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'2", 361 lbs

Ranking: 101st

What he brings

Virginia Tech continues to be a destination for defensive linemen looking to make a name for themselves, as the in-state product picked the Hokies in January over Louisville, Oklahoma State, USC and Washington State. It was a huge get for the program, which has seen major programs jump into Virginia and take out top-tier defensive talent from Tech's backyard over the past few seasons.

The huge prospect figures to fit in perfectly with Bud Foster's defense, and while he can use some toning of that massive frame the strength and speed are already there.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Fifth-year senior Corey Marshall, rising junior Nigel Williams and injured standout Luther Maddy all return in the middle for Virginia Tech. However, Settle is the future and likely will get snaps in order to prepare him for a more involved role in 2016 and beyond.

Wake Forest: Kyle Kearns

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'3", 195 lbs

Ranking: 519th

What he brings

Kyle Kearns was on his way to SMU as a potential savior for that program's offensive struggles, but with the switch to a more uptempo spread attack under new coach Chad Morris he no longer fit in there. Instead, the 3-star pro-style passer will try to fix Wake Forest's equally woeful problems on offense.

Kearns threw for more than 7,700 yards and 90 touchdowns during his career at Foothill High School in California, and he followed some family ties to Winston-Salem. Uncle Kenny Moore was a standout wide receiver for the Demon Deacons.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Wake went with a true freshman at quarterback last season, but he threw only 12 touchdowns and had 14 interceptions. That job doesn't figure to be locked up by incumbent John Wolford, so expect Kearns to compete for playing time.

Washington: Jake Browning

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'2", 185 lbs

Ranking: 71st

What he brings

Unlike other positions, quarterbacks tend to commit early in the recruitment process and don't waver much from those initial pledges. Even when they end up setting national passing records, most of the top players at this position end up sticking with who they went with early.

Jake Browning never wavered after committing to Washington in March, three weeks after receiving an offer from Alabama. Because of this, other schools backed off while the Folsom, California, product set records for touchdowns in a season (91) and career (229) while leading his team to another state title.

An early enrollee, Browning is already showing humility while on campus by showing the willingness to go back to "dirt level," he told Mason Kelley of GoHuskies.com.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Washington had sophomore Cyler Miles start most games last season, but he and two backups didn't put up great numbers. It will take a massive performance during the spring and summer for Browning to emerge ahead of this group, though, so he could very well redshirt his first year to get more acclimated.

Washington State: Thomas Toki

247Sports

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 5'11", 308 lbs

Ranking: 252nd

What he brings

Washington State had some bad luck toward the end of the recruiting cycle, losing several notable offensive commits to other schools. But the Cougars' biggest needs were on defense, and they managed to hold on to their best player despite a late push from other suitors.

Thomas Toki, the fourth-best player in California, visited Oklahoma State in mid-January but stuck to his pledge to play for Mike Leach in Pullman. Washington State was surprisingly good against the run last season, and having guys like Toki there to plug up the middle can keep that trend going.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Xavier Cooper declared for the NFL draft after leading Washington State in tackles for loss, so Toki will get to compete with backup Daniel Ekuale for the starting job.

West Virginia: Jovon Durante

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 6'0", 162 lbs

Ranking: 157th

What he brings

Wide receivers in West Virginia's system need to be fast, agile and elusive. Jovon Durante is all of those things, having split time as a football player and track star at Miramar High School in Miami.

The Mountaineers were able to pluck him away from hometown Miami (Florida) as well as Clemson, both of whom desperately wanted the swift wideout who has the ability to play in the slot or line up outside. He's one of two Miramar players that West Virginia signed, along with 4-star cornerback Tyrek Cole, continuing a pipeline between the schools that has existed for several years.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Kevin White and Mario Alford, who accounted for 174 receptions and 21 of West Virginia's 26 receiving touchdowns, have both graduated. Look for Durante to get targeted almost right out of the gate.

Wisconsin: Jordan Stevenson

Position: Running back

Height, weight: 5'8", 185 lbs

Ranking: 204th

What he brings

One of the keys to Wisconsin's sustained success running the ball has been making sure there's a next man up behind the primary ball-carrier. Melvin Gordon was that person to Montee Ball, and Corey Clement was Gordon's No. 2.

Jordan Stevenson can slide right into that scenario, and as a smaller back to the 5'11", 217-pound Clement he provides a different look that can make the Badgers' run game more diverse and harder to key on certain plays. Once a Texas commit, he backed out in December and almost immediately flipped to the Badgers but still entertained an offer from Oklahoma State before ultimately sticking with Wisconsin.

Chances he'll play in 2015

Stevenson will see time as a freshman, but how much depends on how he fares during the summer and whether he can pass the other running backs that are already in the system to sit behind Clement on the depth chart.

All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports, unless otherwise noted.

Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.