Big Ten Teams Most Likely to Start True Freshmen in 2016

National signing day is in the books for 2016, and the Big Ten has added a new crop of talent to its core for the coming years.

Overall, it was an impressive day for the conference, with two top-five classes and five top-25 finishes in the 247Sports' national rankings.

Some players will wait longer to develop, while other true freshmen will make an instant impact in the 2016 season. Much of that will be based on the specific needs of each team and the ability of its true freshmen to contribute immediately.

When it comes to the Big Ten, 2016 should be an interesting year, as several of the league's high-profile teams may need to count on true freshmen at one point or another. With that in mind, let's take a look at the Big Ten teams that are most likely to start their recently signed players in 2016.

Maryland

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

4-star wide receiver Tino Ellis

While he may have lost his two highest-ranked recruits to Ohio State just a few weeks before signing day, D.J. Durkin still managed to ink an impressive class in his first signing day as the head coach at Maryland. The Terrapins' class ranked 42nd in the nation and seventh in the Big Ten, despite only possessing 21 signees.

After a 3-9 season and with a new coaching staff in charge, no starting spot in College Park is safe, which should open the door for multiple opportunities for playing time in the 2016 class. The most likely freshman to start in the coming year is 4-star wide receiver Tino Ellis, who could make an instant impact in a receiving corps whose returning leading receiver caught just 35 balls for 425 yards and three touchdowns in 2015.

"I want to build a relationship. They feel like I’m loyal, and I’ve got trust," Ellis said of his decision to sign with the Terrapins, per Brandon Parker of the Washington Post. "That was the main thing I wanted to focus on."

While his receiving skills may need some sharpening, the 6'1", 185-pound Ellis has all the ability to make an instant impact in his college career. Playing on a team clearly in need of adding talent, he may not be alone, as offensive guards Terrance Davis and Richard Merritt and cornerback Antwaine Richardson could all see significant playing time in the coming year.

Minnesota

Credit: 247Sports

4-star outside linebacker Carter Coughlin

In his first offseason as Minnesota's head coach, Tracy Claeys hasn't been afraid to make changes in Minneapolis. And while many of his adjustments have come on his own staff, the Golden Gophers' starting lineup could soon be next.

That could mean playing time being readily available for Claeys' 2016 class, which ranked 48th nationally and ninth in the Big Ten. While short on high-level prospects, the crown jewel of the class, 4-star linebacker Carter Coughlin, could find himself in the starting lineup as soon as the start of the season, filling the void left by De'Vondre Campbell.

"He runs awfully well, he plays physical," Claeys said of Coughlin during a signing-day appearance on the Big Ten Network. "We have a good linebacking corps coming back, but because of his ability, he'll have a chance to make plays...you don't find too many kids as ready physically and mentally to come out and play the game of football in the Big Ten and he's ready to do that."

Other Golden Gophers signees with a shot to start in the coming year include 3-star cornerbacks Kiondre Thomas, Antoine Winfield and Coney Durr. Whether they're starting or not, several Minnesota freshmen should end up on the field sooner rather than later in 2016.

Penn State

Credit: 247Sports

4-star defensive end Shane Simmons

With the nation's 19th-ranked class—the third-ranked in all of the Big Ten—Penn State's 2016 class has one of the best chances of making an instant impact in the coming year. The Nittany Lions possess what could be considered the best marriage of incoming talent and immediate needs to be filled for 2016.

The gem of the class comes in the form of 5-star running back Miles Sanders, the nation's top-ranked player at his position. And while Penn State already possesses star running back Saquon Barkley in its backfield, head coach James Franklin has already stated a desire to use both players in 2016.

"If you look around college football right now and you look in the NFL, you need multiple backs," Franklin said in his signing-day press conference. "You look at the programs like Penn State, they're going to go out and sign significant players at the same position every single year. And you have to embrace competition. You have to embrace the ability to come in and compete."

Other true freshmen with a chance to play in Happy Valley include 4-star defensive tackle Ellison Jordan and 4-star defensive end Shane Simmons, who could each start right away on a depleted defensive line. The first two years of the Franklin era may not have gone according to plan, but the Nittany Lions' 2016 class could go a long way toward helping fix what's been an inconsistent on-field product thus far under their head coach.

Michigan State

Credit: 247Sports

4-star wide receiver Cameron Chambers

After winning two of the past three Big Ten championships and appearing in last year's College Football Playoff, no Big Ten team may have more holes to fill than Michigan State. The Spartans lost several key contributors to last year's 12-2 team, including quarterback Connor Cook, defensive end Shilique Calhoun, wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, left tackle Jack Conklin and center Jack Allen.

Fortunately for Michigan State, head coach Mark Dantonio signed his highest-ranked class since arriving in East Lansing, inking the nation's No. 22 class. Dantonio's haul possesses several players who could play right away in 2016, specifically at receiver, where the Spartans signed a pair of 4-star prospects who have already enrolled in Donnie Corley and Cameron Chambers.

"Bringing in guys like Donnie Corley, who we've talked about extensively when he came here and enrolled. He had a great first-day workout and looks very, very special out there," Dantonio said. "You also bring in Cam Chambers, another guy that as I'm leaving today is sprinting in the indoor facility."

Defensive end Josh King could see playing time immediately as well, as could safety Demetric Vance. Michigan State may be losing a lot from last year's team, but the fruits of its labor are just starting to be realized on the recruiting trail.

Ohio State

Credit: 247Sports

4-star wide receiver Binjimen Victor

Every year, Urban Meyer promises that he's going to play his true freshmen.

And every year, very few wind up contributing.

But 2016 could well be different, given the number of holes Ohio State has to fill on its roster. The Buckeyes will return just three starters on each side of the ball in 2016, with a 25-man class ranked fourth in the nation freshly inked to help fill some of those voids.

"I say this every year. I don't want to redshirt. It's not our plan," Meyer said on signing day. "We don't recruit you and say let's sit them down for a while. We want to play them immediately."

Some of the newest Buckeyes who could do just that include 5-star defensive end Nick Bosa, 4-star outside linebacker Keandre Jones and 4-star wide receiver Binjimen Victor. As is often the case in recruiting, the rich only seem to get richer, and Ohio State's situation with its new true freshmen certainly seems to fit that bill.

Michigan

Credit: 247Sports

4-star linebacker Devin Bush Jr.

While his class ranked one spot behind Ohio State's, measuring in as the nation's fifth-ranked class, no coach made a splash on national signing day quite like Michigan's Jim Harbaugh did.

Aside from hosting the likes of Tom Brady, Derek Jeter and Ric Flair for a "Signing of the Stars" event, the second-year Wolverines head coach managed to sign the nation's top prize, No. 1 overall prospect and 5-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary. At 6'5" and 293 pounds, Gary will likely be considered a starter from the moment he steps on campus—and he may not be alone in that regard when it comes to Michigan's 2016 class.

Running back Kareem Walker, wide receiver Ahmir Mitchell, linebacker Devin Bush Jr. and fullback Kingston Davis are each already on campus and could contribute immediately in their college careers. Even quarterback Brandon Peters is a candidate to play right away as the Wolverines search for the heir apparent to Jake Rudock.

"A natural player," Harbaugh said of his new quarterback signee. "Not over-coached or over-mechanic, but naturally out there playing."

Whether or not Peters will manage to crack the starting lineup as a true freshman remains to be seen. But regardless of that, there should be no shortage of new Wolverines on the field in the coming year.

Ben Axelrod is Bleacher Report's Big Ten lead writer. You can follow him on Twitter @BenAxelrod. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes were obtained firsthand. All statistics courtesy of cfbstats.com. Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports.