2016 Recruits Who Could Start on College Football Teams Right Now

Playing time.

When conversing about where a recruit decides to play college football, playing time can be a taboo discussion topic for some recruits, an extremely public determining factor for others. Every incoming freshman wants the immediate game time he received during his time in high school.

For many, sitting the bench and further learning the position at the next level is a reality. For a handful of incoming freshmen, however, experiencing the Saturday college football experience starts early and often.

The 2016 class has a few players who could not only get playing time, but also ultimately start for their universities as freshmen. Here are seven players, listed in alphabetical order, to keep an eye on.

5-Star DE Nick Bosa

Credit: 247Sports

Hometown (School): Fort Lauderdale, Florida (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)

Size: 6'4", 265 lbs

247Sports Composite rank: No. 5 overall (No. 1 SDE)

Recruiting status: Committed to Ohio State

Ohio State loves defensive stud Joey Bosa. If younger brother Nick Bosa pans out the way he's expected to, he'll be just as loved in Columbus.

Reason being, Bosa is a beast on the defensive line and, like his brother, someone who plays with a mean streak. His combination of size, speed, strength and aggressiveness makes him a potential candidate of being a freshman getting starter's minutes next season.

Bosa committed to Ohio State in July. He was recruited by defensive line coach Larry Johnson, as well as receivers coach Zach Smith.

5-Star DT Rashan Gary

Credit: 247Sports

Hometown (School): Paramus, New Jersey (Paramus Catholic)

Size: 6'4", 311 lbs

247Sports Composite rank: No. 1 overall

Recruiting status: Considering Michigan, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Auburn, Georgia and Rutgers, among others

Landing elite defensive linemen who have the potential to individually disrupt offenses is every college coach's goal in recruiting. Rashan Gary has all of the tools to be special. Beyond special, even.

It's easy to see why Gary is the No. 1 player in the 2016 class. He possesses ridiculous speed for a 300-plus-pound athlete (He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds), and if he isn't using his speed, he's overpowering offensive linemen with lower-body strength and excellent pad level.

In short, Gary could be the next big thing wherever he ends up—and a few teams are hoping to hit the jackpot with his verbal commitment.

5-Star DT Dexter Lawrence II

Credit: 247Sports

Hometown (School): Wake Forest, North Carolina (Wake Forest HS)

Size: 6'5", 310 lbs

247Sports Composite rank: No. 3 overall (No. 2 DT)

Recruiting status: Considering Florida, Clemson, North Carolina, Alabama, Ohio State and South Carolina, among others

If there's a player who relies on natural talent, Dexter Lawrence II is that guy. Lawrence is teachable, which is what so many coaches are high on, but the majority of what he does on the football field comes from natural strength and instinct—a scary thought indeed.

Lawrence has more than 20 reported offers, and the good news for the schools interested is that he's keeping all of his options open. Lawrence admitted in May that Florida was a "childhood favorite." He added that distance will not play a factor in his final decision.

Wherever Lawrence ends up, he can be an outstanding defensive lineman with the right tutelage from a defensive line coach.

5-Star OT Greg Little

Credit: 247Sports

Hometown (School): Allen, Texas (Allen HS)

Size: 6'5.5", 305 lbs

247Sports Composite rank: No. 2 overall (No. 1 OT)

Recruiting status: Considering LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, Alabama and Auburn  

Few athletes can say they've won multiple one-on-one battles against Greg Little. And those who have won here or there, the victories didn't come without Little getting revenge.

Technically, there isn't a better offensive lineman in the 2016 class. In fact, it's Little's technique that makes him such an attractive get. The one-time Texas A&M commit takes pride in being the protector of his quarterback's blind side.

Little recently announced his top five in an exclusive interview with Bleacher Report. The winning school will get a player who not only will immediately challenge for a starting spot, but also will look to earn all-conference honors as a freshman.

5-Star DT Shavar Manuel

Credit: 247Sports

Hometown (School): Tampa, Florida (IMG Academy)

Size: 6'4", 290 lbs

247Sports Composite rank: No. 8 overall (No. 3 DT)

Recruiting status: Considering Florida State, LSU, Auburn, Florida and Clemson

A player like Shavar Manuel can see immediate game time because of his versatility on the defensive line. Colleges can use Manuel at defensive tackle and defensive end because of his strength and quickness.

Manuel, who said he is fully recovered after undergoing knee surgery in November, said earlier this month that he'll play wherever on the line, as long as he is playing "assignment football." His football IQ is high, and he has the tools to push the uppersclassmen when he arrives on a college campus.

Florida State and LSU are two schools that could ultimately battle for Manuel's services. The winning school will get a player capabale of putting on all-conference performances every game.

5-Star TE Isaac Nauta

Credit: 247Sports

Hometown (School): Atlanta (IMG Academy)

Size: 6'4", 237 lbs

247Sports Composite rank: No. 9 overall (No. 1 TE)

Recruiting status: Considering Georgia, Michigan, TCU, Ole Miss and USC

After decommitting from Florida State in July, Isaac Nauta once again became one of the most sought-after targets in the 2016 class. Nauta's size, pass-catching ability and overall versatility make him a wanted player.

With the way programs are using tight ends, Nauta can be a major benefit at the right college. His hands make him an option to line up as an outside receiver. The way he uses his body allows him to be a safety option in short-yard to mid-range passing situations.

Nauta is expected to be a dominant tight end at the next level. His top five all will get official visits, and a decision will be made with the help of how each school uses their tight ends.

5-Star DT Ed Oliver

Credit: 247Sports

Hometown (School): Houston (Westfield HS)

Size: 6'2", 277 lbs

247Sports Composite rank: No. 12 overall (No. 5 DT)

Recruiting status: Committed to Houston

He has an older brother there, but Ed Oliver—who has yet to play a down at Houston—has fans discussing him potentially being the most talked-about player to put on a Houston uniform since Andre Ware.

In short, Oliver is a disruptive playmaker who could see a lot of success early and often in the American Athletic Conference. Houston was beyond excited to get Oliver, the younger brother of offensive lineman Marcus Oliver, as the 5-star defender picked the Cougars over offers from LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama and others.

Oliver's explosiveness off the ball and lower-body strength make him a legitimate candidate to see starter's minutes the second he steps on campus. He's a stud who only will get better as long as he stays healthy.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.