Every Power 5 College Football Team's Top 2016 Recruiting Target This Summer
Recruiting is a year-round endeavor in college football, with coaches hitting the trail whenever they get a free moment. No time is more critical to this pursuit than in the summer, however, when prospects are participating in camps and all-star showcases that are meant to draw college recruiters to one place to find their next stars.
Every FBS power-conference team has been hot on the trail of 2016 recruits for some time, with schools like Miami (23), Florida State (17) and Michigan State (17) nearly done filling out their next class. Others have a lot more work to do, such as Iowa State, which has zero commitments for 2016, while four other power programs have two or fewer commitments.
This summer will be critical for each team's future, and each power-conference school has a particular player it's interested in more than any other. We've identified a top uncommitted recruiting target for every team in the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC as well as Notre Dame and note why he's important to each school (as well as who else wants him).
Alabama
1 of 65
Lyndell Wilson, LB
Height, weight: 6'2", 220 lbs
National rank: 8th
Alabama is involved in trying to recruit nearly every unavailable 5-star prospect who hasn't pledged for 2016, but the one who matters most to future success is someone who can contribute in multiple ways.
Wilson fits that bill. He's an athletic outside linebacker who would help in stopping the run and putting pressure on the quarterback but could also drop back into coverage.
The Montgomery, Alabama, prospect was just named MVP of the Rivals 5-Star Challenge in Baltimore, where he intercepted five passes, per Ethan Bernal of the Montgomery Advertiser.
Wilson attended Alabama's camp at the end of May, and while Auburn and Florida State are also hot after him, he looks like someone the Crimson Tide should land with continued contact.
Arizona
2 of 65
Chase Lucas, ATH
Height, weight: 5'11", 166 lbs
National rank: 178th
Arizona has made the most of players who can handle multiple roles of late, with receiver DaVonte' Neal switching to cornerback this season and fellow wideouts Samajie Grant and Tyrell Johnson getting looks in the backfield. This approach is also part of the 2016 recruiting plan, which is why trying to get a player as versatile as Lucas would be huge.
The running back, receiver and cornerback at Chandler (Arizona) High School had more than 1,300 all-purpose yards last season and was also a lockdown defender in the secondary. He could play in any of those spots with the Wildcats, depending on their needs next year.
Arizona State
3 of 65
Devin Duvernay, WR
Height, weight: 5'11", 195 lbs
National rank: 33rd
Arizona State is deep at nearly every position thanks to its current roster and what it brought in for 2015, except at wide receiver. It lost a projected key contributor to a knee injury during spring (Cameron Smith), and while converted running back D.J. Foster and UCLA transfer Devin Fuller are good options, both are seniors.
The push to add some new blood to the receiving corps for 2016 has the Sun Devils targeting several top wideouts, with the most coveted being Duvernay. And don't let his lack of height fool you, since he makes up for it with power and speed.
For the past two years in Sachse High School in Texas he has tallied 27 total touchdowns, including two on kickoff returns and five as a running back.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Arkansas
4 of 65
McTelvin Agim, DE
Height, weight: 6'2", 268 lbs
National rank: 53rd
Arkansas' resurgence last season wasn't enough to help it hold onto the state's top player in the 2015 class when receiver K.J. Hill opted to go with defending national champion Ohio State over the Razorbacks. They're not going to lose out on No. 1 again, not if Bret Bielema and his staff have anything to say.
Agim, rated as the fifth-best strong-side defensive end in the 2016 class, has registered 38 sacks and 62 tackles for loss the last two seasons for Hope High School. That play landed him an invite to The Opening later this summer in Oregon, where he'll likely pick up even more offers than the 19 he has at this point.
Eight of those are from the SEC, with Missouri the latest to extend an offer on May 20.
Auburn
5 of 65
Derrick Brown, DT
Height, weight: 6'4", 305 lbs
National rank: 4th
With only six commitments at this point, Auburn still has a lot of work to do in order to secure another major recruiting class for 2016. We'll get a clearer picture this summer of whether Will Muschamp's arrival will have an impact on recruiting beyond just the present, and being able to grab Brown from Georgia would be a huge step toward that mission.
Georgia had been the clear leader for the state's top prospect for months, but in late May he told Kipp Adams of 247Sports the Bulldogs were no longer the overwhelming favorite because that might make the rest of the time he has before committing more stressful—not just for him but for the schools that want him on board.
"I just want to be able to step back and take a look at all the schools, and with having a favorite, I do not feel like I would be able to give every school a fair opportunity," Brown said, noting that Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee were his favorites.
Baylor
6 of 65
Michael Divinity, LB
Height, weight: 6'2", 218 lbs
National rank: 59th
With 29 offers before the start of his senior year of high school, Divinity is going to need some time to figure out where he's headed to college. The first step was cutting his list down a bit, but the nation's sixth-rated outside linebacker is still considered 15 programs.
Baylor made that list, which also includes schools from all five power conferences, and now it has to work on getting the Louisiana prospect to make a visit to campus and see how he would fit in the Bears' athletic but underperforming defense.
Though far smaller than Bears defensive end Shawn Oakman, Divinity has the look of a player who could strike similar fear into opponents.
Boston College
7 of 65
Jordan Fuller, QB
Height, weight: 6'2", 190 lbs
National rank: 119th
Boston College has been working to get in early on as many recruits as possible in the next few classes, in hopes that being among the first to make an offer and maintain contact will reap benefits come decision time. If that ends up working, it could help the Eagles get another dynamic athlete in Fuller.
The dual-threat passer—whom 247Sports ranks as the No. 11 athlete in the 2016 class—has been visited by Alabama, Ohio State and Stanford in recent months and also picked up new offers from Michigan State and Wisconsin. The New Jersey product is the younger brother of former UCLA receiver Devin Fuller, who transferred to Arizona State for his final season.
Fuller played as a quarterback and receiver for Northern Valley High School last season, producing 11 touchdowns in eight games after returning from a broken wrist, per MaxPreps.
California
8 of 65
Camilo Eifler, LB
Height, weight: 6'1", 215 lbs
National rank: 208th
Oakland product Eifler announced his top six in late May, and it includes plenty of the usual suspects that end up getting a shot at the top prospects. But joining Michigan, Oregon, Texas A&M, UCLA and Washington was California, which hasn't had a winning record since 2011 and hasn't been known for strong defensive players for even longer.
Eifler, the 14th-best outside linebacker in the 2016 class, would be a huge get for the Golden Bears, which last year ranked 124th in FBS in total defense last year.
Clemson
9 of 65
Darnell Salomon, WR
Height, weight: 6'3", 198 lbs
National rank: 47th
Clemson is loading up on skill-position players for 2016, with five commitments already among its eight pledges in the class. But the Tigers aren't stopping there, pursuing several other potential big-play receivers with similar body types.
Salomon's frame is similar to 6'4", 210-pound Mike Williams, Clemson's leading receiver, who is a junior this season and could be headed to the NFL with another big year. Salomon is the fourth-best wideout in the 2016 class, and pulling him out of Hollywood, Florida—and away from Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas, among others—would continue enhancing the Tigers' reputation for drawing strong skill talent.
Colorado
10 of 65
Darius Anderson, RB
Height, weight: 5'10", 182 lbs
National rank: 605th
Colorado grabbed its one and only 2016 commitment earlier this month when 3-star dual-threat quarterback Sam Noyer pledged to the Buffaloes. It was a good pickup, but the Buffs' offensive priorities are much greater in the running department than through the air.
Anderson, from Rosenberg, Texas, is considered the 43rd-best running back in the country. He's recently added offers from Boise State, Texas and Utah, but none of those could use his talents more than Colorado.
In 2014 the Buffaloes split carries between four rushers and only had 13 total touchdowns on the ground.
Duke
11 of 65
Prince Sammons, DE
Height, weight: 6'8", 280 lbs
National rank: 94th
Duke's unprecedented success the past three years hasn't yet translated into landing big-name recruits, but it is getting the Blue Devils in the door. The next step is convincing a top-100 prospect to play in Durham rather than for one of the more-established powers.
Sammons, from Cincinnati, could be the player who tilts things in Duke's favor. He's highly coveted by Ohio State and has more than 20 offers, including plenty from the Big 12 and SEC, but Adam Rowe of 247Sports notes that a recent visit with Duke coaches left a strong impression on the long and rangy edge-rusher.
Florida
12 of 65
Shavar Manuel, DE
Height, weight: 6'4", 290 lbs
National rank: 5th
Florida is a recruiting hotbed, and the in-state teams are in a constant battle to hold off outsiders for the top prospects. The Gators already had 12 commitments in 2016 from players in the Sunshine State, but those would all take a backseat to being able to get Florida's No. 1 prospect.
Manuel, who will play at IMG Academy in Bradenton this fall, is the nation's top-rated strong-side defensive end and would make for a scary companion to incoming Florida freshman CeCe Jefferson on the defensive line. But to get him, the Gators are going to have to push past heavy favorite Florida State.
Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer says Florida is recruiting Manuel "the hardest," but he only gives it an 8-1 shot to gain his commitment.
Florida State
13 of 65
Nick Bosa, DE
Height, weight: 6'4", 265 lbs
National rank: 7th
The defensive line was probably the weakest part of Florida State's team in 2014, though that wasn't saying much since most of the Seminoles' position units were strong. But the line is young now and needs to be replenished, which FSU is trying to do with its 2016 recruiting.
Florida State is considered the heavy favorite to grab at least one 5-star defensive end, that being Shavar Manuel, but also landing Bosa would make for a heck of a one-two pickup in this class.
The younger brother of Ohio State superstar Joey Bosa is in high demand, holding offers from Alabama, FSU, Ohio State and eight others. He had 29.5 tackles for loss last season at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale.
Georgia
14 of 65
Rashan Gary, DT
Height, weight: 6'4", 290 lbs
National rank: 1st
Georgia landed the top overall player in the country last season in defensive tackle Trent Thompson, so it doesn't have an immediate need for another player at that position. But when you have a chance to grab the No. 1 guy two years in a row, you run with it.
That's what the Bulldogs are trying to do with Gary, a New Jersey product who has the entire SEC chasing after him. This week alone he has unofficial visits scheduled with Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss, while in May Georgia assistant Tracy Rocker visited him.
Gary had 14 sacks and 55 tackles as a junior for Paramus Catholic, the school that produced Jabrill Peppers two years ago.
Georgia Tech
15 of 65
Antonneous Clayton, DE
Height, weight: 6'4", 218 lbs
National rank: 230th
Georgia Tech usually has to search out diamonds in the rough to find players who want to operate out of the triple-option on offense, but the hunt for defensive players is much more straightforward: look for superb athletes like Clayton and try to bring them to Atlanta.
Clayton, a Georgia product who is rated as the 14th-best weak-side defensive end in the 2016 class, has offers from more than two dozen schools including nearly every ACC and SEC team. He's seen his stock (and interest) rise in the past few months.
The difficulty that Tech has in recruiting top-tier defensive linemen is getting them to be OK with practicing against the option all the time while also preparing them for more traditional offenses.
Illinois
16 of 65
Jauan Williams, OT
Height, weight: 6'7", 303 lbs
National rank: 138th
Illinois faces an uphill battle in trying to rise up the Big Ten rankings, both on the field and in the recruiting world. Landing a prospect of the caliber of Williams would boost both efforts while also getting the Fighting Illini back into the business of contending.
Williams, from Washington, DC, has offers from 40 different schools. Illinois isn't getting any prediction love in 247Sports' Crystal Ball—which has Alabama, Maryland and Ohio State as the favorites—but expect Tim Beckman and his staff to keep pushing to get on Williams' final list this summer.
Indiana
17 of 65
Jovan Swann, DT
Height, weight: 6'3", 255 lbs
National rank: 566th
Indiana is far down the list for most of the state's top prospects each year, but the Hoosiers remain adamant about trying to keep some of their closest recruits from leaving for other Big Ten programs or ones in the ACC and SEC. One of their best chances to succeed in this area might be with Swann, the sixth-best player in Indiana.
The Greenwood native has recently added offers from Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri and North Carolina, all of whom like Swann's upside. He had seven sacks and four pass breakups as a junior, according to 247Sports, and at 255 pounds he still has plenty of room to grow.
Iowa
18 of 65
Toks Akinribade, RB
Height, weight: 6'0", 210 lbs
National rank: 635th
Iowa hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2011, a shocking reality that doesn't mesh with the fact the Hawkeyes regularly have some of the best offensive linemen in the country. It also makes it difficult to recruit notable running back recruits to Iowa City, though Iowa is in good position to get a solid rushing prospect for 2016.
Akinribade, the No. 7 player in Indiana and the 46th-best running back in this class, is likely choosing between the Hawkeyes, Indiana and Michigan, though he has offers from 13 total schools.
In three seasons at Brownsburg High School, he has run for 3,560 yards and 37 touchdowns, including 1,579 yards and 15 TDs as a junior.
Iowa State
19 of 65
Jake Heinrich, OG
Height, weight: 6'4", 285 lbs
National rank: 369th
The first commitment that Iowa State gets this month for 2016 will also be the first it's managed to collect for the class altogether. The Cyclones have the infamy of being the only power-conference program (and one of just 11 in FBS) without a single pledge at this point.
Heinrich would make for a nice initial acquisition, though, since he's an in-state prospect from Urbandale. He's ranked second in Iowa and also has offers from Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas State.
Kansas
20 of 65
Amani Bledsoe, DE
Height, weight: 6'5", 270 lbs
National rank: 218th
Kansas hired new coach David Beaty for, among other things, his great recruiting success as an assistant at Texas A&M. To prove that, he needs to make sure the best prospect in his own city doesn't go elsewhere.
Bledsoe, from Lawrence, is the state's second-best prospect and the No. 14 strong-side end in the 2016 class. But despite being the local boy, most experts in 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictor have him going to Oklahoma. He also has received offers from Florida State, Iowa, Michigan and Notre Dame.
Kansas State
21 of 65
Zach Shackelford, OG
Height, weight: 6'3", 290 lbs
National rank: 1,116th
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder's recruiting plan frequently includes a lot of junior college transfers, many of whom don't end up committing until the fall. But with only two prospects on board so far in the 2016 class, it's time to get moving on grabbing some prep pledges as well.
Shackelford is a recruit that K-State would benefit from landing, as he can provide much-needed depth on the interior of the Wildcats' line for the future. The Texas native has more than a dozen offers, most recently picking up ones from Houston, Illinois and Navy this spring.
Kentucky
22 of 65
Kash Daniel, LB
Height, weight: 6'1", 235 lbs
National rank: 752nd
The state of Kentucky doesn't tend to have a lot of major talent, but when it does, the Wildcats would like to be the first choice of those prospects. They missed out on the best one to come from the Commonwealth in a while last year when 5-star running back Damien Harris chose Alabama, but they got 4-star linebacker Eli Brown.
Kentucky has commitments from the state's top two players in 2016 but doesn't want to stop there.
Daniel, from Painstville, plans to make his college decision on Aug. 13. Ben Roberts of Kentucky.com reported that Daniel, who also has offers from Louisville and South Carolina and is getting interest from Florida State and Ohio State, will take some visits this summer before deciding just prior to the start of his senior year.
Louisville
23 of 65
Jawon Pass, QB
Height, weight: 6'5", 220 lbs
National rank: 132nd
The second Bobby Petrino era at Louisville had a solid debut in 2014, though not in the way the previous tenure went since the Cardinals offense was uneven and inconsistent. Quarterback play was a big part of that issue, which is why Louisville is pushing hard to pick up an impact passer in this class.
The Cardinals already have a commitment from 4-star pro-style QB Tylin Odin, but there's a much bigger fish they're pursuing. Pass, who is a target of Alabama, Auburn, North Carolina and Virginia Tech, is the nation's No. 3 dual-ranked quarterback and would be the crown jewel of Louisville's first full class under Petrino.
Pass plans to announce his college decision on July 13, shortly after competing in The Opening in Oregon. 247Sports lists Alabama and Louisville as co-favorites at this point.
LSU
24 of 65
Keion Joyner, LB
Height, weight: 6'3", 200 lbs
National rank: 14th
New defensive coordinator Kevin Steele inherits a good crop of linebackers, but it's also a thin one. LSU didn't sign any players from that position in the 2015 class, and just two in 2014, so there's a major need to load up on playmakers in the middle of the field.
Joyner would be the best possible acquisition, as he's the nation's No. 2 outside linebacker and would help fill the void that could come with the Tigers losing all three starters after this season. Kendell Beckwith, a junior, could turn pro, while outside linebackers Deion Jones and Lamar Louis are seniors.
LSU is among Joyner's four finalists, along with Auburn, Florida State and North Carolina, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports. Knowing that he could start right away should make LSU a favorite, which explains it being in the lead in 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictor with a 79 percent chance.
Maryland
25 of 65
Trevon Diggs, WR
Height, weight: 6'0", 183 lbs
National rank: 70th
Stefon Diggs just completed a successful but injury-plagued career at Maryland, one that could have been so much better had he not been hurt so often. Now the Terrapins are hoping they can grab Diggs' younger brother and have him carry on the family tradition.
The 4-star receiver from Rockville, Maryland, is the state's third-best prospect and is considered No. 4 athlete in the nation by 247Sports. He had 78 receptions and 15 touchdowns last season and likely would be a starter at receiver for the Terps as soon as he got on campus.
With Maryland recently landing quarterback Dwayne Haskins for 2016, it could be in line for a heck of a one-two offensive combo if Diggs also comes on board.
Miami (Florida)
26 of 65
Marcus Tatum, OT
Height, weight: 6'6", 255 lbs
National rank: 715th
With 23 commitments already, including nine of the 4-star variety and nine from the top 50 in Florida, Miami could get away with taking the rest of the 2016 recruiting cycle off other than checking in with previously pledged prospects. But Al Golden and his staff know their jobs are on the line, so the more players the Hurricanes can snag for next year, the better.
Amazingly, none of Miami's commits play on the offensive line, an area that's always in need of depth to deal with inevitable injuries. The 'Canes took six linemen in 2015 and have 13 on the roster that will be freshmen or sophomores, per Cameron Underwood of SB Nation, but there's always room for more.
Tatum is ranked 97th among Florida prospects and 61st among 2016 tackles, but the Daytona Beach prospect recently picked up offers from Alabama and Arkansas and has the frame that could still add plenty of bulk without losing its shape. He'd be a strong candidate for a redshirt, but he's still someone the 'Canes should try to land for the future.
Michigan
27 of 65
Caleb Kelly, LB
Height, weight: 6'3", 215 lbs
National rank: 18th
Michigan's slow start to the 2016 recruiting cycle has picked up this month, with four commitments since the start of June. Expect plenty more in the next few months, and if that were to include Kelly, then the Wolverines could be in line for a top-10 class.
The fourth-ranked outside linebacker in the country, Kelly is also California's top prospect. Based in Fresno, most of his 23 offers have come from the Big 12, Big Ten and SEC. They would all like this still-growing prospect to be part of their next recruiting class, though 247Sports has the competition mainly between Michigan and Oklahoma.
Michigan State
28 of 65
Donnie Corley, WR
Height, weight: 6'2", 180 lbs
National rank: 109th
Michigan State has cleaned up already this spring, particularly on the defensive side, getting four major commitments since Friday to replenish that side of the ball in 2016. The program has more work to do in order to make the offensive half of the 2016 class shine as well as what the Spartans have coming their way on defense, though.
Corley would look great lining up outside as a receiver, or he could be a part of the next great MSU secondary. He's more likely to see time on offense, where he had 18 touchdown catches last season for Detroit's Martin Luther King High School, though he was also recorded nine interceptions.
Corley visited MSU in mid-May but has since picked up offers from Auburn, Florida State and Nebraska.
Minnesota
29 of 65
Tyler Johnson, ATH
Height, weight: 6'2", 185 lbs
National rank: 637th
There aren't a lot of major recruits who come from the state of Minnesota, but the ones who do are regularly high on the Golden Gophers' list. They have commitments from the top two players in the state for 2016, and getting Johnson would make them three-for-three.
The Minneapolis native played quarterback and safety for North Senior High School, where he threw for 1,820 yards and 27 touchdowns, ran for 1,480 yards and 15 scores and also had nine interceptions. He brought four of those back for TDs.
Iowa and Wisconsin are also interested in Johnson, but he looks to be a lock for Minnesota at this point.
Mississippi Sate
30 of 65
Dillon Sterling-Cole, QB
Height, weight: 6'2", 183 lbs
National rank: 420th
Dak Prescott's return for his senior year kept Mississippi State from having to face the reality that it really doesn't have an idea of who will succeed the Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback once he's moved on. It signed 3-star prospect Nick Tiano in the 2015 class, but he was only the 32nd-best pro-style passer last year.
Sterling-Cole is rated No. 15 in the 2016 class, and if the Bulldogs were to emerge from a final eight that also includes Arizona State, Boise State, Florida, Houston, Texas A&M, UCLA and Washington, they wouldn't have that future uncertainty anymore.
The Houston passer, who earned an invite to the Elite 11 finals earlier this year, is coming off unofficial visits to ASU and UCLA this week. He told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles he's in no hurry to make a decision, but playing time will be an important factor in the process.
Missouri
31 of 65
A.J. Taylor, RB
Height, weight: 5'11", 190 lbs
National rank: 280th
According to 247Sports, Missouri has already gotten commitments from the five players who were considered its top targets for 2016. But with only nine players in the class to this point, there's still much more out there for the Tigers to bring in.
For instance, how about the state's top prospect and one who could help ease the impending loss of senior running back Russell Hansbrough?
Missouri is the first place the Taylor is set to visit this summer, as he heads to Columbia on Wednesday. He is also scheduled to visit Iowa State on June 20 and plans to check out Kansas and Maryland, per Evan Flood of 247Sports. Wisconsin is also in the mix, but the Badgers are looking at Taylor more as a wide receiver.
Nebraska
32 of 65
Matt Farniok, OT
Height, weight: 6'6", 290 lbs
National rank: 164th
Mike Riley might have a different coaching approach than predecessor Bo Pelini, both in demeanor and offensive style, but he still knows the importance of having big bodies blocking up front. That's why Farniok is a top target for the Cornhuskers in 2016.
The highest-rated player in South Dakota and No. 19 offensive tackle prospect in the country, Farniok will be the third of four brothers (all linemen) from his Sioux Falls family to play FBS football, per Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles. Tom Farniok just finished his career at Iowa State, while Derek Farniok will be a senior this year at Oklahoma.
Groomed as a tackle, Farniok could play guard or center, depending on what his school needs from him, he told 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong.
"If it means I have to play center to get the most reps I'll play center," he said. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep on playing."
North Carolina
33 of 65
Dexter Lawrence, DT
Height, weight: 6'5", 310 lbs
National rank: 10th
The more meat and muscle that North Carolina can put on its defensive line, the better chance it has of moving past last year's horrific results that saw more than half of its opponents gain 500-plus yards and six top the 40-point mark. The Tar Heels tried to address this in the 2015 class and continue to do so with their pursuit of the third-best defensive tackle in 2016.
Lawrence, from Wake Forest, is the highest-rated player in North Carolina and one who is causing schools from Florida to make regular visits into the state. However, he has twice unofficially visited UNC since November and also attended the school's junior day in January.
As a junior, he had 10 sacks and 25 tackles for loss, per Langston Wertz Jr. of the Charlotte Observer.
North Carolina State
34 of 65
Tre Nixon, WR
Height, weight: 6'1", 170 lbs
National rank: 234th
North Carolina State's persistence paid off late in the 2015 recruiting cycle when it stole running back Johnny Frasier from Florida State just before signing day. This year the Wolfpack have their sights set on convincing Nixon to forgo more notable programs like Florida State, Notre Dame and Oregon.
The Melbourne, Florida, wideout is ranked as the No. 33 receiver in the 2016 class and reports more than 40 offers, with the most recent coming from Oregon last month. He had 13 touchdowns on 43 receptions as a high school junior, a production level that would help boost N.C. State's offense.
Northwestern
35 of 65
Jeremy Larkin, RB
Height, weight: 5'10", 180 lbs
National rank: 529th
Northwestern needs some versatility on offense, particularly in the backfield where it hasn't gotten much production the last few seasons from its running backs. Larkin could change that, bringing the added element of being a great pass-catcher as well.
Though on the small side for a rusher, the Cincinnati product averaged better than five yards per carry with eight touchdowns as a sophomore in 2013. He ran for eight touchdowns and added four more on 30 receptions.
Larkin has unofficially visited Cincinnati and Northwestern this spring, and those look to be his top suitors.
Notre Dame
36 of 65
Ben Davis, LB
Height, weight: 6'4", 230 lbs
National rank: 19th
Manti Te'o was the heart and soul of a Notre Dame team that reached the national championship game after the 2012 season, and Jaylon Smith could be leading the Fighting Irish into a similar scenario this year. Linebackers have been key to what Brian Kelly's teams have accomplished at Notre Dame, and the next potential star at that position in South Bend could be coming from Alabama.
Davis, a 5-star prospect who is the fourth-rated outside linebacker in the country, has Notre Dame among his many suitors. The Irish offered him in March, and since then the Gordo native has picked up offers from Florida State, Iowa and Michigan. But it's Alabama that's the real challenger to beat out, as the Crimson Tide have been Davis' focus of late.
He attended the Tide's first summer camp at the end of May, and in April he made an unofficial visit to the campus and also had staff check in with him in Gordo.
Ohio State
37 of 65
Rashan Gary, DT
Height, weight: 6'4", 290 lbs
National rank: 1st
The defending national champions continue to ride the momentum that came with that title by cleaning up on the 2016 recruiting trail, with 16 commitments already. Five of those are in the top 100 of the class, but the Buckeyes have so many more players they want to add to the list.
First and foremost is the one atop every team's wish list, as Gary is the No. 1 player in the country and one that OSU has identified as a key target in order to continue having a strong defensive line presence. The Buckeyes are set to lose at least half of that line after 2015, so getting him to replenish the ranks would be huge.
The school last had contact with Gary in April, when assistant Larry Johnson visited him in New Jersey, but expect far more interactions this summer.
Oklahoma
38 of 65
Erick Fowler, DE/LB
Height, weight: 6'1", 232 lbs
National rank: 83rd
Primarily a defensive end in high school who figures to work better as an outside linebacker in college because of his size, Fowler is just the type of dynamic player that Oklahoma's defense needs more of, especially after losing the likes of Eric Striker after the 2015 season.
Fowler, ranked as the 11th-best player in Texas for this class, had 12.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles for Manor High School last year. He's strong enough to overpower offensive linemen but would fit better in a position where he can build up speed before making the tackle.
Oklahoma offered Fowler in August, and since then plenty of others have come along. Texas is the prime competition for his services.
Oklahoma State
39 of 65
Tren'Davian Dickson, WR
Height, weight: 6'0", 171 lbs
National rank: 110th
Oklahoma State has its quarterback of the future in Mason Rudolph, whose redshirt was pulled late in 2014 and just in time for him to lead the Cowboys into a bowl game. Rudolph needs more weapons to throw to, and having Dickson as a target in 2016 would be a major boost for O.K. State's offense.
Dickson had a massive junior year at Navasota High School in Texas, hauling in 90 receptions for 2,166 yards and 39 touchdowns. He led his team to a state title and the third-most receiving yards in Texas history, while his 39 TD catches are a national prep record.
Plenty of uptempo offensive teams are after Dickson, including Baylor, Texas A&M and USC.
Ole Miss
40 of 65
Jeffery Simmons, DE
Height, weight: 6'4", 262 lbs
National rank: 163rd
Ole Miss already has a commitment from a potential replacement (Benito Jones) for standout defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, who almost certainly will head to the NFL after his junior season. But the Rebels still need help at Nkemdiche's natural position, defensive end, and the guy they want most of all is also sweet on in-state rival Mississippi State.
Simmons, from Macon, Mississippi, is a bull of a prospect who not only excels in football—he had 11.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles for Noxubee County High School in 2014, returning two fumbles for touchdowns—but as a shot putter. He threw nearly 50 feet to finish second in the state meet in May.
Oregon
41 of 65
Devin Asiasi, ATH
Height, weight: 6'5", 260 lbs
National rank: 54th
Oregon's top recruit for 2015 was an unconventional two-way star who will make a huge impact on defense but could also contribute on offense in needed. Like freshman Canton Kaumatule, Asiasi has the potential to make just as much of an impression on the Ducks if he ends up there.
A tight end and defensive end at national power De La Salle in Concord, California, Asiasi is rated as the second-best athlete in the country by 247Sports. He had five sacks and three offensive touchdowns as a junior, and his size would be perfect on either side of the ball in college.
Oregon was the last school that Asiasi had an unofficial visit to, in April, and that same month he visited Alabama, Oregon State and Washington.
Oregon State
42 of 65
Bryson Young, LB
Height, weight: 6'5", 220 lbs
National rank: 271st
Oregon State has regularly recruited California to find players to fill out its classes each year, and 2016 is no different. According to 247Sports, a high number of the prospects the Beavers are targeting come from the Golden State, including standout linebacker Young.
A 4-star product from Clovis, Young recently picked up an offer from Michigan to go along with the ones from OSU and USC, but his recruitment is just starting.
Penn State
43 of 65
Oluwole Betiku, DE
Height, weight: 6'3", 240 lbs
National rank: 42nd
A cross-country battle is underway for one of the top defensive ends in the country and one of the best prospects out West. Penn State has made the final cut for Betiku, and if it can pull him out of California, it will be a major catch.
Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and UCLA are the other teams in contention for Betiku, who had 11.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss last season for Junipero Serra High School. He's been on a major rise in the rankings this year, starting 2015 in the 300s but now sitting on the cusp of picking up a fifth star heading into his senior season.
Pittsburgh
44 of 65
Damar Hamlin, CB
Height, weight: 6'1", 175 lbs
National rank: 152nd
Pat Narduzzi left the Big Ten to get his first head coaching job, but on the recruiting trail he continues to run into old colleagues who are after the same players he wants at Pittsburgh. One such common target is Hamlin, a Pitt resident who is high on the radars of Penn State and Ohio State as well as Notre Dame.
The 13th-best cornerback and No. 4 player in Pennsylvania was impressive at The Opening regional in Columbus, Ohio, as well as last season at Central Catholic, where he had four interceptions as a junior.
Purdue
45 of 65
Dontavious Jackson, LB
Height, weight: 6'2", 239 lbs
National rank: 131st
Purdue has an overwhelming number of personnel deficiencies that it hopes to address in the 2016 recruiting class, but so far all the Boilermakers have accomplished is getting a trio of commitments at cornerback. Help closer to the line of scrimmage is also necessary to shore up the defense, starting with improved linebacker play.
Jackson, from Houston, has plenty of more notable schools after him than just Purdue. Boise State, Notre Dame and Ole Miss are among his newest offers.
He had six sacks and 27 tackles for loss last season for Alief Elsik High School in 2014.
Rutgers
46 of 65
Ahmir Mitchell, ATH
Height, weight: 6'3", 206 lbs
National rank: 74th
Even as Rutgers pulled itself off the FBS scrap heap under Greg Schiano and has been able to maintain success under Kyle Flood while also getting into the Big Ten, the school hasn't managed to protect its home turf in the recruiting world. Managing to convince Mitchell to be a Scarlet Knight would help reverse that trend.
The sixth-best athlete in the 2016 class is best known as a receiver, where he's stood out the most at Cedar Creek High School and in camps. Michigan and Ohio State are also high on Mitchell, who in March said those schools were in his final six along with Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Rutgers and Virginia Tech. Since then he's tweeted that he's down to two schools, but he didn't name them.
Beating out those other schools for Mitchell would be as big as any on-field win the Knights have had over the past few seasons.
South Carolina
47 of 65
Eric Monroe, S
Height, weight: 6'0", 180 lbs
National Rank: 31st
South Carolina loaded up on defensive players for 2015, but so far it has just one commitment from that side of the ball for the 2016 class. Look for the Gamecocks to go hard at defenders this summer, particularly in the secondary.
Rated as the second-best safety in the country, Houston product Monroe has offers from throughout the SEC and Big 12. He'll show off his talents at The Opening this summer, where favorites such as LSU, Texas A&M and Baylor will try to keep him from heading east.
Stanford
48 of 65
David Long, CB
Height, weight: 6'0", 175 lbs
National rank: 102nd
One of Stanford's top targets is now someone who most major programs are going after, since Long's performance at the Oakland regional for The Opening in May was quite impressive. He ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, per Barton Simmons of 247Sports, who said Long "plays the cornerback position with poise, patience and intelligence."
The seventh-best corner in the 2016 class picked up an offer from USC that weekend; it was his 23rd, joining ones from Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon and Washington.
Stanford is expected to have three seniors starting in the secondary this year, but getting Long to commit to 2016 will help the team cope with those impending departures.
Syracuse
49 of 65
Patrice Rene, CB
Height, weight: 6'1'", 180 lbs
National rank: 343rd
Syracuse's four commitments for 2016 are all on the offensive side, which is where it needs the most help after being lethargic with the ball this past season. But defensive help, particularly in the secondary, is just as important for rebuilding the program.
Rene would make for a potential instant contributor if Syracuse can pull him out of Virginia and away from the likes of Rutgers, Ohio State and other Big Ten schools that have come onto his radar of late.
Born in Canada, Rene moved to Alexandria prior to his junior year. His finalists include North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Rutgers, Syracuse and Virginia Tech.
TCU
50 of 65
Justin Madubuike, DE
Height, weight: 6'3", 255 lbs
National rank: 93rd
TCU's success last season has led to one of its best starts to a future recruiting cycle ever, as it sits 10th in 247Sports' composite rankings. It could rise even more if Madubuike joins the already strong list of prospects who are set to be Horned Frogs in 2016.
He is the eighth-best strong-side defensive end in the 2016 class and one that many major programs have offered in the past few months. TCU got involved in September, but Florida, Houston, Michigan State, Nebraska and UCLA have offered since April.
He had 16.5 sacks, 35 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles as a junior at McKinney North High School in Texas, and if he were to come to TCU, he would have a chance to make as much of an impact in his first season as Devonte Fields did in 2012.
Tennessee
51 of 65
Nigel Warrior, S
Height, weight: 6'0", 175 lbs
National rank: 68th
Tennessee continues to make major inroads on the recruiting trail under coach Butch Jones, first in the state and now across the country. The 2016 class already includes commitments from Alabama, Louisiana, New Jersey and North Carolina, as well as a handful from Georgia.
Another Georgia guy who could bolster the class is Warrior, a 4-star defensive back whom the Volunteers are fighting with Georgia to land this summer.
What could work in Tennessee's favor is that Georgia already has three DB commits for 2016, while Tennessee has just one. This would make it more likely that Warrior, rated as the fourth-best safety in the country, could get on the field with less competition if he chose Knoxville over Athens.
Texas
52 of 65
Willie Allen, OT
Height, weight: 6'7", 300 lbs
National rank: 22nd
Texas has a lot of catching up to do in the 2016 recruiting race, with only five commitments at this point. It's a top-heavy group with three 4-star pledges, but it's still not enough to be considered a strong collection, especially since the Longhorns already missed out on two prime in-state offensive line targets who went Texas A&M (Gregory Little) and Baylor (Patrick Hudson).
To fix that, Texas needs to beat out more than two dozen schools for Louisiana product Allen, who is the third-best tackle in the country. The Longhorns offered him in February, and recently he attended Ole Miss' summer camp.
SEC schools LSU, Alabama and Ole Miss look to be the favorites, but don't count Texas out as it searches outside of the state for talent.
Texas A&M
53 of 65
Brandon Jones, S
Height, weight: 5'11", 183 lbs
National rank: 20th
Texas A&M has been in on the nation's top safety prospect for quite some time, offering him midway through his sophomore year of high school in Nacogdoches in 2013. Since then dozens of others have jumped into the race, and while Jones has a list of 10 finalists, the others are all chasing the Aggies.
He is deciding between Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas, Texas A&M and USC. He'd be a great fit at all of those spots, but he'd likely be an instant star with the Aggies. They have a promising young safety in Armani Watts, who fared well as a true freshman in 2014, but overall A&M's pass defense remains atrocious and in need of help.
Texas Tech
54 of 65
Jeffrey McCulloch, LB
Height, weight: 6'2", 230 lbs
National rank: 103rd
Based on what 247Sports has listed, Texas Tech has hit it out of the park so far in its 2016 recruiting efforts by getting commitments from all its prospects who were considered top targets. Now it's time to land one that isn't as easy to secure, preferably one on the defensive side, where the Red Raiders are lacking.
With leading tackler Pete Robertson set to graduate after the 2015 season, it would serve well for Tech to load up on linebackers in this class. McCulloch makes for an excellent choice, but the Houston prospect won't be easy to get because he has offers from 36 schools.
Tech didn't make McCulloch's top 12 that he released in late May, but the summer could change that if the Raiders stay on him and show their interest is genuine.
UCLA
55 of 65
Boss Tagaloa, DT
Height, weight: 6'3", 295 lbs
National rank: 56th
With six 4-star commitments already in the 2016 class, the top four of which are defensive prospects, UCLA is well on its way to another top-10 class. But the Bruins are still missing an interior lineman to help with future run-stuffing—the exact thing that Tagaloa has become known for over the past year.
"For a 300-pounder, Tagaloa moves very well laterally and uses his leg and upper-body strength to frustrate offensive linemen," Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles wrote.
The Concord, California, prospect has risen to No. 9 among defensive tackles in his class, as well as ninth-best in the state. His top 12, announced in May, includes seven Pac-12 schools (Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oregon State, UCLA, Utah and Washington) as well as ones from the SEC (Alabama, Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee) and Big Ten (Michigan).
UCLA is set to start three juniors on the defensive line, and at least two of them could turn pro after this season. Having Tagaloa coming on board (along with 4-star defensive end commit Breland Brandt) would help mitigate those losses.
USC
56 of 65
Tyler Vaughns, WR
Height, weight: 6'3", 175 lbs
National rank: 35th
Big-play receivers at USC are as common as palm trees in Los Angeles, and the ones the Trojans have on the field regularly have the kind of reach of one of those trees as well. Vaughns would be the next tall and athletic wideout to join Troy, assuming none of his other suitors manages to pull him away from the region.
The third-best receiver in the country and No. 4 player in California, Vaughns had 83 receptions for 1,578 yards at Bishop Amat High School as a junior. He'll show off his talents next month at The Opening in Oregon, where he could end up adding to his 12 scholarship offers.
Utah
57 of 65
J'Marcus Rhodes, CB
Height, weight: 6'2", 202 lbs
National rank: 9th (junior college)
As a high school recruit, Rhodes was listed by 247Sports as a 3-star athlete from Texas who was known more as a wide receiver. He signed with SMU but left that program after redshirting in 2013.
Now the top-rated junior college cornerback in the nation following a strong 2014 season at Kilgore (Texas) Junior College, Rhodes is getting far more interest the second time around.
Utah is one of six FBS schools to offer Rhodes, with the most recent being Iowa State.
Vanderbilt
58 of 65
Bryce Mathews, OT
Height, weight: 6'5", 275 lbs
National rank: 228th
Vanderbilt's problems on offense last season were centered on poor quarterback play, as four different passers got a shot, and none of them did much. Had the Commodores had better play on the offensive line, though, maybe that could have led to a better overall performance by the entire offense.
Vandy returns four starters from that line, so it should be better in 2015, but for 2016 and beyond, additional depth will be crucial. Mathews would provide that, assuming the Commodores can sway the Brentwood (Tennessee) Academy standout from going to Tennessee, where teammate Ryan Johnson has already committed.
Mathews is the son of Jason Mathews, who played at Texas A&M and then spent 11 years in the NFL.
Virginia
59 of 65
Robbie Robinson, ATH
Height, weight: 5'8", 160 lbs
National rank: 393rd
He might not look that impressive out of uniform, but Robinson has drawn plenty of interest because of his skills as a defensive back and return specialist.
He would make for a great weapon in Virginia's push to get back to respectability. Grabbing this in-state product would be similar to the Cavaliers' landing a pair of top recruits from Virginia in defensive tackle Andrew Brown and safety Quin Blanding in 2014.
The Hampton prospect plays at Phoebus High School, the same place that produced former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd. That makes the Tigers one of Virginia's main challengers to land Robinson, who plans to announce on July 25.
Virginia Tech
60 of 65
Landon Dickerson, OT
Height, weight: 6'5", 306 lbs
National rank: 84th
One of the fastest-rising players in the 2016 class could make for a strong piece of Virginia Tech's future plans, particularly those that help solidify an offense that hasn't performed consistently the last few years.
Dickerson saw his rank with 247Sports rise from 156th on June 1 as a result of updated evaluations of the Hudson, North Carolina, prospect when he participated in the Charlotte Opening regional competition in May.
"He looks like a lumberjack," 247Sports' JC Shurbutt wrote. "He looks the part physically of a collegiate offensive lineman."
Wake Forest
61 of 65
Diondre Overton, WR
Height, weight: 6'5", 194 lbs
National rank: 107th
It's a long shot at best right now, but just being in the mix for a skill player like Overton should be a sign that Wake Forest might turn the corner offensively after last year's abysmal performance. The Demon Deacons were last in FBS in total offense in 2014.
Ranked as the fourth-best player in North Carolina and the No. 15 wide receiver in the 2016 class, Overton has 17 offers that include Clemson, Michigan, Nebraska and Tennessee. He'd be a nice piece of the puzzle for those schools, while he'd be a game-changer for Wake.
Washington
62 of 65
Byron Murphy, CB
Height, weight: 5'11", 160 lbs
National rank: 117th
Washington's pass defense was so bad last year that it had to move top receiver and return specialist John Ross to cornerback. Ross is missing the 2015 season because of injury, and the Huskies will remain young and inexperienced at the position, which could entice Murphy to want to join that program in 2016 and be a savior.
Rated as the ninth-best corner in the country and Arizona's No. 2-rated prospect, Murphy visited Seattle in April and since has picked up offers from Louisville, Michigan and Texas.
Murphy is the nephew of Mike Bibby, a former basketball star at Arizona, which could be Washington's main competition for his services.
Washington State
63 of 65
Michael Alves, OG
Height, weight: 6'5", 320 lbs
National rank: 290th
As long as Washington State continues to be a pass-happy team that relies on timing and accuracy, it's going to need its quarterbacks to stay upright and its linemen to hold their blocks for a few seconds. Getting top-notch blockers is as vital to the equation as getting a passer is, which is why Alves is a key target for the Cougars.
The 11th-rated guard in the country, Alves has the size to take on two defenders and keep them away from his quarterback and also the ability to open holes if WSU were to try to run the ball once in a while.
WSU is one of four schools that 247Sports says Alves is "warm" toward, along with Arizona State, Oregon and Washington.
West Virginia
64 of 65
Steven Smothers, WR
Height, weight: 5'10", 152 lbs
National rank: 168th
One of the most explosive athletes in West Virginia history stood only 5'9", but no one noticed Steve Slaton's height as he ran past defenders. The same is true of Smothers, who closely resembles Slaton in terms of size and athleticism, as well as his likely destination of the Mountaineers.
The two-way standout from Reisterstown, Maryland, is rated as the 29th-best wide receiver in the 2016 class and likely would be higher if not for his slight frame. But he's made up for that with elusiveness, scoring 29 receiving touchdowns and eight rushing TDs in three high school seasons while also intercepting five passes.
Wisconsin
65 of 65
Ben Bredeson, OT
Height, weight: 6'5", 293 lbs
National rank: 27th
There's a reason that Wisconsin regularly has one of the best run games in the country and tends to have at least one 1,000-yard rusher every season. Yes, this is partly because of the ball-carriers it develops but also the linemen it recruits to Madison.
Bredeson might be the next great Badgers blocker, assuming he stays in state as the No. 1 player from America's Dairyland instead of choosing offers from other Big Ten schools as well as ones in the SEC.
Rated as the No. 4 offensive tackle in the 2016 class, Bredeson would ensure Wisconsin continues to be a rushing juggernaut.
Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports, unless otherwise noted.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
