Big Ten Football: Every Team's Most Important 2015 Recruit
The Big Ten signed 31 players from the national Top 250, but the best players aren't always the most important.
Certain lower-ranked recruits are more vital to their signing class—at least in the immediate future—because they fill a position of need. Over time, it's important that the blue-chip players develop. But for now, it's more important to plug every hole on the depth chart.
The list that follows includes the most important 2015 player from each Big Ten team's new class. It's a projection of whom each team needs the most production from next season. In other words, it's the player each team can least afford to bring along slowly.
Sound off below and let us know what you think.
Indiana: S Tyler Green
1 of 14
Overall Rank: 533 S Rank: 31 Profile: S Tyler Green
What He Is
A tall (6'3"), lean (195 lbs) safety who looks the part of a future Big Ten starter. Has long arms and makes aggressive plays in coverage but lacks ideal bulk in run support. Flipped from Ohio State to Indiana in December 2014.
Why He's Important
Mark Murphy was a senior in 2014, so there's an opening across from Antonio Allen at safety. Chase Dutra and Tony Fields are sophomores who ranked outside the top 900 as recruits. Green has the highest ceiling of that trio, and head coach Kevin Wilson, who is squarely on the hot seat, cannot afford to give him a redshirt.
What They're Saying
"Green can play at both the free and strong safety spots, but his greatest asset at this point in his development is his diagnosis of plays and acceleration and attacking skills when going for the ball. With good speed and change-of-direction skills, Green is rarely out of position and looks comfortable dropping into coverage as well."
Illinois: OLB Justice Williams
2 of 14Overall Rank: 1,273 OLB Rank: 82 Profile: OLB Justice Williams
What He Is
A 6'3", 200-pound outside linebacker who also played receiver and ran track in high school. Has speed to make plays on the edge, although he lacks the strength to shed blocks. Chose Illinois over offers from Mississippi State, Virginia, Indiana and Kansas.
Why He's Important
Illinois loses "Star" linebacker Earnest Thomas III and "Leo" linebacker DeJazz Woods to graduation. The Illini have struggled for a long time to make plays in the backfield, and losing a pair of starters doesn't help. They need someone who can get to the quarterback.
What They're Saying
"We're excited to get Justice here, get him in the weight room and see what he develops into. Every time we see Justice, he's grown about half an inch and gained about 10 pounds."
Iowa: WR Jerminic Smith
3 of 14Overall Rank: 1,431 WR Rank: 165 Profile: WR Jerminic Smith
What He Is
A 6'1", 175-pound receiver with smooth athleticism. Lacks ideal height, weight and speed but knows how to get open. Had more than 1,100 receiving yards as a senior at South Garland High School in Texas.
Why He's Important
Iowa loses Kevonte Martin-Manley and Damon Powell, its Nos. 2 and 3 wide receivers from last season. Matt VandeBerg and Jacob Hillyer and fine, but neither inspires excitement opposite Tevaun Smith. The new Smith, Jerminic, has been raised against strong competition and will factor into the equation at some point as a freshman.
What They're Saying
"We run a spread and we have to move him around quite a bit to try to fight the double teams. We use him in the slot and on the outside and put him in motion quite a bit. He gets bracket coverage pretty much all the time where they bring down a safety on him. He's a really good route runner and has great hands."
-High school coach Mark Cox, per Rob Howe of Hawkeye Insider
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Maryland: DT Adam McLean
4 of 14
Overall Rank: 124 DT Rank: 14 Profile: DT Adam McLean
What He Is
A 6'2", 290-pound rock who can play anywhere on the defensive line. Has strength to hold the edge and surprising burst to shoot through the gap. Flipped from Penn State to Maryland in December 2014. Suffered a season-ending knee injury in October 2014.
Why He's Important
Maryland loses all three starting defensive linemen: Andre Monroe, Darius Kilgo and Keith Bowers. If he's healthy, McLean's versatility allows the Terps some freedom with their new rotations. Or, if they opt to have McLean add weight, he could instantly start at nose tackle.
What They're Saying
"I’m preparing myself to be out there on the field and that’s what I’m looking forward to. I have no doubt I’ll be able to go next year, and God willing and if I’m able to, then that's what it’ll be. If I can’t and I redshirt, then that’s what it’ll be and we’ll take that step when it gets here and be even better for the next season."
-McLean, per Mark Giannotto of The Washington Post
Michigan: ATH Brian Cole
5 of 14
Overall Rank: 73 ATH Rank: 5 Profile: ATH Brian Cole
What He Is
A 6'2", 190-pound athlete who can play defensive back, running back or wide receiver (most likely starting his career at WR). Strong, aggressive runner with speed to break long runs and power to shed arm tackles. Great acceleration to hit holes as they develop.
Why He's Important
Last cycle's top-ranked recruit, Jabrill Peppers, took a redshirt after injuries. Peppers, like Cole, was a listed as an athlete and valuable because of his speed and power. Michigan can't afford to miss on two straight top-ranked freshmen. With Devin Funchess gone and questions at quarterback, Cole must become a weapon.
What They're Saying
"We don't mandate what position the student-athletes start at. ... Brian wants to do that at receiver."
Head coach Jim Harbaugh, per Mark Snyder of The Detroit Free Press
Michigan State: RB Larry Scott
6 of 14Overall Rank: 59 RB Rank: 6 Profile: RB Larry Scott
What He Is
A 6'2", 228-pound running back and future workhorse. Downhill runner who finishes plays for extra yards, but who's also quick enough to make the first man miss. Doesn't have exceptional speed, but can break the long run here and there. Highest-ranked offensive recruit of the Mark Dantonio era (since 2007).
Why He's Important
Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill were seniors in 2014. Combined, they had 383 carries for 2,144 yards and 31 touchdowns. The top two returning backs (Delton Williams and Gerald Holmes) had 69 carries for 360 yards and five touchdowns. Scott will battle them and Madre London for the starting job (and has a good chance to win).
What They're Saying
"I think Larry Scott is going to play immediately. That's Le'Veon Bell, that's Jeremy Langford. They're gonna run him. They're gonna work him to death. That boy's gonna run the football a lot."
Minnesota: WR Hunter Register
7 of 14
Overall Rank: 1,178 WR Rank: 142 Profile: WR Hunter Register
What He Is
A 6'5", 200-pound receiver with long arms and giant hands. Doesn't create great separation, but is comfortable making plays in traffic. Recruited to Minnesota from Lafayette, Louisiana.
Why He's Important
Minnesota loses two of its top three pass-catchers: tight end Maxx Williams and receiver Isaac Fruechte. Williams is 6'4" and Fruechte is 6'3". There's a lot of height missing from this passing game, whose best receiver, KJ Maye, is only 5'10". Register can serve as an immediate red-zone target and occasional deep threat.
What They're Saying
"Most people don’t know. They think it’s cold, but it’s in the south part of Minnesota. On the average game, the temperature is 64.5 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s not really that cold.
"I was real worried about that, because I wasn’t going to go up there if it was snowing every game. But they told me about the (average temperatures), and that’s basically what it was today—a nice cool day."
-Register, per Luke Johnson of The Advocate
Nebraska: CB Eric Lee
8 of 14
Overall Rank: 127 CB Rank: 18 Profile: CB Eric Lee
Who He Is
A 6'0", 175-pound corner with a squat frame and physical coverage style. Sees the ball well and reacts to the quarterback's eyes in zone coverage. High-effort player who could stand to shore up his tackling, but who otherwise looks ready to contribute.
Why He's Important
Starter Josh Mitchell was a senior in 2014. Backups Daniel Davie and Jonathan Rose will be seniors in 2015. Nebraska needs depth at corner for both the present and the future. It's counting on Lee to play as a freshman and, ideally, to start as a sophomore.
What They're Saying
"This is a guy who has an understanding of what he's doing. …You want to see guys get off blocks; wide receivers can't block, and if a wide receiver's blocking him, you've got a problem. …I think he and Avery Anderson are two guys you can expect to play early."
Northwestern: Flynn Nagel
9 of 14
Overall Rank: 568 WR Rank: 64 Profile: WR Flynn Nagel
What He Is
A 5'11", 190-pound receiver with quickness to play in the slot. Unafraid to run through traffic on crossing routes and make catches away from his body. Flipped from Duke to Northwestern in February 2015. Highest-ranked receiver of the Pat Fitzgerald era (since 2006).
Why He's Important
Northwestern loses its top two wide receivers: Kyle Prater and Tony Jones. Miles Shuler can play the slot, but he missed the second half of last season with a serious-looking injury. Whoever starts at quarterback will need a possession receiver to count on (beyond super H-back Dab Vitale). Nagel has a strong chance to fill that role.
What They're Saying
"Northwestern fits my style. They told me I'll start off in the slot (receiver), but once I get a feel for the offense, they'll move me around. I'm willing to play wherever they need me. I'm really excited."
-Nagel, per Pat Disabato of The Chicago Tribune
Ohio State: DE Jashon Cornell
10 of 14
Overall Rank: 91 SDE Rank: 7 Profile: DE Jashon Cornell
What He Is
A 6'4", 260-pound defensive end with college-ready measurables. Has strength to hold the edge and drive blockers off the point of attack. Quickness off the line is less impressive but still up to par. Finishes plays in the backfield with strong pursuit angles and tackling.
Why He's Important
Noah Spence was dismissed before last season, and his replacement, Steve Miller, was a senior. Defensive end is one of the only spots on the roster with questions. Cornell enrolled early and will push the likes of Sam Hubbard, Jalyn Holmes and Tyquan Lewis for playing time.
What They're Saying
"Here's why Cornell is a candidate to be an instant impact player: Remember Alabama? The thing talked about in the build up to the Sugar Bowl was how much the Crimson Tide rotated on defensive line, particularly with its pass rushers. That's where Meyer wants to get with this defensive line."
Penn State: OT Paris Palmer
11 of 14
JUCO Rank: 12 JUCO OT Rank: 2 Profile: OT Paris Palmer
What He Is
A 6'7", 290-pound offensive tackle with a 34-inch reach and decent flexibility. Spent the past two years at junior college, so his body is more in-line with an upperclassman than a freshman. Flipped from South Carolina to Penn State in December 2014.
Why He's Important
Starting left tackle Donovan Smith declared for the NFL draft. An offensive line that finished No. 111 in adjusted line yards (run blocking) and No. 101 in adjusted sack rate (pass blocking), per Football Outsiders, just lost its most experienced player. Palmer is the oldest of a long list of players who will compete to start at tackle.
What They're Saying
"We have some guys in the program that we feel really highly about, but this is another guy who's going to be able to come in and compete with them. And that's what we're trying to do; we're trying to create the most competitive environment in the country.
"He's interesting because he came in at around 297 (pounds) and is actually down to 288 now. I think he's going to put the weight back on, but it's going to be the right weight."
-Head coach James Franklin, per Mark Brennan of Fight on State
Purdue: RB Markell Jones
12 of 14
Overall Rank: 1,302 RB Rank: 95 Profile: RB Markell Jones
What He Is
A 5'11", 205-pound running back with an all-around skill set. Doesn't excel in any one area, but neither does he struggle. Was named 2014 Mr. Football by The Indianapolis Star.
Why He's Important
Purdue loses its two leading rushers, Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert, to graduation. Dalyn Dawkins transferred to Colorado State before last season, leaving Keyante Green as the only viable returnee. Jones enrolled early and will be counted on to play.
What They're Saying
"As a senior, Jones was simply far better than his competition. He rushed for 290 yards or more in six games. He rushed for five touchdowns or more in six games. He averaged— averaged—11.3 yards per carry. In a 70-7 win over Jennings County, he rushed for 257 yards and five touchdowns—on nine attempts."
Rutgers: S Najee Clayton
13 of 14
Overall Rank: 620 S Rank: 40 Profile: S Najee Clayton
What He Is
A 6'3", 215-pound safety who also plays wide receiver. Has long, bouncy legs and covers a ton of ground in the secondary (although he's raw at the position, having only moved to DB as a senior). Was teammates with Jabrill Peppers at Paramus Catholic.
Why He's Important
Rutgers loses its top three defensive-back tacklers, two of whom (Lorenzo Waters and Johnathan Aiken) were safeties. There are reps to be had in this secondary, which finished No. 92 in the country in opposing QB rating last season. Clayton will not be eased along.
What They're Saying
"Last season was Clayton's first at safety and he is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. His play on the defensive side of the football caught a lot of people's attention, including Rutgers. Clayton started since he was a freshman and showed a lot of progress at wide receiver, but that progress seemed to jump tenfold last season when he moved to safety."
-Bobby Doren of ScarletNation.com (via App.com)
Wisconsin: TE Kyle Penniston
14 of 14
Overall Rank: 349 TE Rank: 7 Profile: TE Kyle Penniston
What He Is
A 6'5", 230-pound "Y" tight end who excels in all phases of the game. Has long arms and understands how to seal the edge as a run blocker. Capable receiver when called upon. Played at one of the best high-school programs in the country (Mater Dei in Santa Ana, Calif.).
Why He's Important
One year after losing Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin loses Sam Arneson. Troy Fumagalli played well as a freshman but projects more as a backup than a longterm starter. The Badgers rely heavily on their tight ends, and Penniston has what it takes to be their next All-Conference player. He's enrolled for spring camp to get a jump on the playbook.
What They're Saying
"The Badgers have always managed to run two or three-tight end sets on a regular basis, and sure it could be T.J. Watt that ends up being the third tight end, but Penniston is already on campus and a strong blocker with good athleticism. Penniston will get packages early, and I wouldn't be surprised if he supplants Austin Traylor to be the second tight end by the end of the season."
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
