The Ohio State football program is a monster in recruiting, but that’s not always the most important thing when you look at the prospects of the next season once it’s time to turn the page. Sometimes it has more to do with what’s leftover in the cupboard that has a bigger bearing on winning shiny objects and trinkets that sit in trophy cases for years to come.
ESPN has looked at returning production for all teams in the FBS (subscription required), and since we’re more interested in what happens in the neighborhood OSU has been the bully on the block for quite some time — the Big Ten — we’re giving you a peek ahead with all fourteen teams in the conference.
We must remember that returning talent doesn’t always equate to a better team or one that can contend (see Michigan), but it can often be an indicator of improvement and stability.
Here’s how things shake out with all of the Big Ten football teams when it comes to returning talent according to the worldwide leader in sports programming.