CFB: National Signing Day

Every year, a National Champion is crowned in mid-January. A team ends the season with a huge win for their program. The entire season comes to an end, after countless thrillers and heartbreaks. Then just a few weeks later, another champion is crowned - The National Signing Day Champion. Alabama has finished with the number one recruiting class each of the last six years, but found more competition than usual in 2016. A few teams from the SEC, two teams from the Big Ten, and a few sleepers made noise on National Signing Day. Here are five takeaways and a final 10-team ranking.

1. Michigan gets the biggest prize of them all.

Rashan Gary is the consensus top recruit. He has been getting heavily recruited since his middle school days and now all of these years later, he is ready to make Ann Arbor his home for the next "three or four year." Gary is a defensive tackle who will not only make noise himself, but will draw double teams to ensure open lanes to the backfield for his fellow defensive lineman. Michigan capped off a busy recruiting season, with a great pick up. The Wolverines return a defense that was already solid, and now will only get better. This is a team that can contend for a National Championship.

2. Alabama finishes strong.

The Crimson Tide were hidden for most of the recruiting season. People were overlooking them for the likes of LSU and Ole Miss out of the SEC. However just like every other year, Nick Saban finishes with a bang. His best get of the day was linebacker Ben Davis. The #10 recruit according to 247Sports will reside in Tuscaloosa next year. His will be a keep piece in the next few years for an already stacked Alabama defense.

3. Ohio State and LSU are looming.

The Buckeyes and Tigers did not do much on National Signing Day. It is usually the busiest recruiting day for most teams and yet these powerhouses already had their work done. LSU only received one high profile commit on February 3rd (and lost one to Texas), and yet they still finishes with a Top 5 class. Ohio State was done receiving faxes by 11:00 this morning, and they still finish with a Top 3 class. Les Miles and Urban Meyer had their ducks in a row earlier than most coaches, which can make for a boring day but does not impact how good they will be in 2016. Two players to keep an eye on for these teams are Rashard Lawerence (LSU) and Nick Bosa (Ohio State).

4. Texas jumps 20+ spots in less than 24 hours.

The Longhorns were ranked as the fifth best class in the state of Texas and the fourth best in the Big 12. Then Charlie Strong happened. As the clock ticked quickly, it seemed like every minute there was a new UT commit. Their biggest signee of the day was Brandon Jones, a safety and a top 40 player according to 247Sports. The Horns also had a few players flip, including Erick Fowler who decided to change from LSU to Texas. The defense will be considerably better next season if these players can play up to their full potential. It would be hard to get any worse for the UT defense, as they finished 5-7 in Charlie Strong's second season.

5. Florida State beats out SEC schools.

The Seminoles were overshadowed by a lot of the South schools, but not for good reason. Florida State finishes with one of the best classes in the country, and the biggest piece of that is Levonta Taylor. The #7 overall recruit according to 247Sports, and a physical cornerback will step in and play during his freshman season. The moment he steps on the practice field, he will be one of the most talented players on the team. His defense will be key to another National Championship run for FSU. The Southern schools did not go quietly as Florida State took over. Auburn, Georgia, and Ole Miss all finish with Top 10 classes. Three players to look out for are Derrick Brown (Auburn), Jacob Eason (Georgia), and Gregory Little (Ole Miss).

Top 10 Recruiting Classes (Post Signing Day)

1. Florida State (Top Recruit: Levonta Taylor)

2. Alabama (Top Recruit: Ben Davis)

3. Ohio State (Top Recruit: Nick Bosa)

4. LSU (Top Recruit: Rashad Lawrence)

5. Michigan (Top Recruit: Rashan Gary)

6. Ole Miss (Top Recruit: Gregory Little)

7. Georgia (Top Recruit: Jacob Eason)

8. Clemson (Top Recruit: Dexter Lawerence)

9. Auburn (Top Recruit: Derrick Brown)

10. Texas (Top Recruit: Brandon Jones)

Photo Credit: NJ.com.