Michigan loses star to NFL, but pulls in Big Ten's best recruiting class

In the same hour, Michigan had an expected departure and a surprise signing.

Star linebacker Devin Bush announced Wednesday he will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. He shared his decision on Twitter and Instagram shortly after the Wolverines welcomed five-star defensive back Dax Hill to its 20-plus player recruiting class.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Hill, who is from Tulsa, Okla., had committed to play at Alabama after previously planning to attend Michigan. He is the younger brother of Oklahoma State running back Justice Hill.

The Wolverines, whose recruiting class is ranked No. 8 in the country and first in the Big Ten by 247 Sports, appear to have playing time available for their top freshmen next season.

Hill, one of the top players in the country at any position, appears to be talented enough to slide into the starting safety spot vacated by senior Tyree Kinnel.

Michigan also landed two other players — running back Zach Charbonnet and defensive lineman Chris Hinton — ranked among the nation's top 50 by 247 Sports.

The eighth-ranked Wolverines will play No. 10 Florida on Dec. 29 in the Peach Bowl.

He's a headliner for a good, 19-member recruiting class unveiled by the Badgers which was ranked No. 27 nationally.

The class is also highlighted by Graham Mertz, a four-star quarterback out of Overland, Kan. Coach Paul Chryst is already talking about how Mertz, the Kansas 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year, has taken a leadership role in the class.

Iowa signed 20 players to national letters of intent, a group headlined by instate linemen Ezra Miller of Holstein and Tyler Endres of Norwalk.

Miller and Endres were two of Iowa's four-star signees, joining linebacker Justin Jacobs of Ohio, helping the Hawkeyes to a No. 39 recruiting ranking nationally.

The Hawkeyes also signed quarterback Alex Padilla, a two-time, first-team all-state pick out of Colorado. He likely will compete with Peyton Mansell for playing time after Nate Stanley departs following next season.

Iowa (8-4) closes out the season against Mississippi State (8-4) in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day.

Nebraska's first full signing class under second-year coach Scott Frost, ranked No. 24 nationally, was highlighted by a group of versatile and speedy prospects to fit the Cornhuskers' spread offense.

Wandale Robinson, a four-star prospect out of Kentucky, was maybe the biggest prize in the class of 25 signed by Frost. The 5-9, 179-pound Robinson was a late flip from his home state Wildcats. The Huskers also signed four-star athlete Luke McCaffrey, the brother of Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffery.

Nebraska signed players from 15 states.

Michigan State signed offensive lineman Devontae Dobbs of Detroit to highlight its 2019 recruiting class.