Ohio State Football: The 5 Most Important Recruits for the Buckeyes' 2016 Season

Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class is ranked No. 2 nationally and is absolutely loaded with standout players who can make an immediate impact as freshmen next year.

The Buckeyes, who are currently riding the nation's longest winning streak at 23 games and are in prime position to make the College Football Playoff for the second straight year, will lose a lot of star power to the NFL draft next May.

That will create a number of opportunities for the elite crop of first-year players who will be making their way to Columbus, Ohio, for their collegiate careers.

Here are five players in particular who have a great chance of cracking the two-deep in 2016.

Nick Bosa, 5-Star Defensive End

Ohio State will almost certainly lose superstar defensive end Joey Bosa to the NFL at the conclusion of his junior season this year, but it will get a big boost in 2016 when his younger brother, Nick Bosa, joins the fold.

The 5-star defensive end out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is rated the No. 6 overall recruit nationally and the top prospect at his position. He was absolutely dominant during his junior season, totaling 56 tackles and 29.5 tackles for loss, and he was well on his way to another outstanding year before he tore his ACL in early November.

Nick underwent a successful surgery on November 10, and the Buckeyes are hoping to get him back to full speed before the start of the 2016 campaign. While the loss of Joey will leave a huge hole in the defense next year, Nick has the potential to fill that void, as some experts, such as Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue, believe he has the tools to be even better than his older brother.

Austin Mack, 4-Star Wide Receiver

Ohio State has had a tough time replacing Devin Smith and Evan Spencer—two key wide receivers who were taken in last year's NFL draft. But the perimeter depth is set to take another hit with Braxton Miller graduating and the expected departure of Michael Thomas, who checks in as the top wide receiver for the 2016 draft, according to ESPN's Todd McShay (h/t Andrew Holleran of CollegeSpun.com). 

That's why the addition of Austin Mack will be a huge key for next year's Buckeyes.

Rated the No. 12 receiver and the 90th-best prospect in the country, Mack has been explosive this season, hauling in 37 receptions for 765 yards and six touchdowns to complement 690 yards and 13 scores on the ground, according to MaxPreps. He's also an explosive threat in the return game, both on kickoffs and punts. 

If Ohio State does lose Thomas—the team's best route-runner and red-zone threat—Mack could step in and fill that role. 

Demario McCall, 4-Star All-Purpose Back

There's similar attrition coming at H-back for the Buckeyes—a key position in Urban Meyer's offense.

Braxton Miller was plugged in as the primary lead at the position this year, but he's posted ordinary numbers through 10 games. Dontre Wilson has been injured for most of the Buckeyes' last 15 games stretching back to last year, and Curtis Samuel will likely move back to running back when Ezekiel Elliott jumps to the NFL.

That should open the door for Demario McCall, an outstanding 4-star all-purpose back who committed to the Buckeyes in March.

McCall was utilized primarily as a running back for North Ridgeville High School, but he's projecting as a perimeter playmaker at the collegiate level. When you pair his ability to motion into the backfield and carry the ball between the tackles with his elusiveness at the second level, he's a natural fit for Ohio State's H-back position. And he's talented enough to make an immediate impact in 2016. 

Antwuan Jackson, 4-Star Defensive Tackle

Signing a top-flight defensive tackle is one of Ohio State's highest recruiting priorities for the class of 2016.

The Buckeyes lost senior defensive tackle Michael Bennett to the NFL last year, and with the way junior Adolphus Washington is playing this season, the Buckeyes will have to fill a big void with his likely exit to the NFL. The loss of senior Tommy Schutt will compound the issue, so Ohio State will have a big need in the middle of its defensive front.

That's where Antwuan Jackson comes in. The 4-star standout from Ellenwood, Georgia, has yet to announce his college decision, but the Buckeyes currently trail Auburn and South Carolina in 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions. That could change this weekend, when Jackson visits Ohio State for its marquee matchup with Michigan State.

If things go well and Jackson swings toward the Buckeyes, he could factor into the rotation as a freshman. 

Rashan Gary, 5-Star Defensive Tackle

The recruit who could have one of the biggest impacts on Ohio State's 2016 season (and beyond) is one who will likely never suit up in scarlet and gray. 

Rashan Gary is the country's No. 1 overall recruit, and while Ohio State is still technically in the running for his services, the standout defensive tackle is a significant lead to Michigan.

If Gary commits to Jim Harbaugh on national signing day next February, Michigan will have the centerpiece for a defense that could be absolutely dominant for years. 

That's how special a talent Gary is, and that's why losing his commitment could wind up as a loss two times over. Not only would the Buckeyes lose out on the best defensive prospect in the country, but they would also have to figure out a way to move their offense against him every November for the next three or four years. 

Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information via 247Sports.