Many programs have already filled a majority of the spots in their 2016 recruiting classes. But plenty of high-profile prospects won’t make their college decisions until the weeks leading into National Signing Day in early February. While fans, for the most part, have shifted their attention to their favorite programs’ recruiting efforts, learning how other programs are faring on the trail will provide context. With the 2015 college football season kicking off in less than a week, here are 10 storylines to track: Ohio State’s bid for the nation’s top class Ohio State has had plenty of success on the recruiting trail since it hired Urban Meyer as head coach in November 2011, but winning the national championship—after dealing a major blow to the five-star-hoarding SEC with a win over Alabama in the playoff semifinals—makes Columbus an even more attractive option for the nation’s top prospects. The Buckeyes currently lead Rivals.com’s 2016 team rankings. Their class comprises verbal commitments from 19 players, including two five-star prospects (defensive end Nick Bosa and running back Kareem Walker) and 13 four-stars. For the purposes of Ohio State’s roster, whether or not it finishes with the No. 1 recruiting class is immaterial. The Buckeyes are going to bring in a talented group of players this cycle—even if that group ultimately registers below, say, what LSU or USC adds. Still, if Ohio State remains atop the recruiting rankings, this would mark the first time in Rivals.com’s history that a Big Ten team lands the nation’s top class. Every top QB has already made his college decision If you were holding out hope that the team you root for could add a top-flight quarterback in the class of 2016, here’s some bad news: There are zero passers ranked in the Rivals250 who have yet to issue a verbal commitment. …
Continue Reading: Fall recruiting primer: 10 storylines to follow ahead of Signing Day 2016
