The upcoming college football season is loaded with questions – in this respect, it is no different from other seasons. The faces, though, are what change each year. Teams will expect their seniors and juniors to be the leaders, but they will need production from freshmen in at least a few spots at some times during the season. Here are some of the Big Ten freshmen who might be able to step in right away and positively change their teams’ seasons this fall.
Shaun Wade, Cornerback
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes lost multiple members of their secondary from the 2016 team which made the College Football Playoff. Ohio State got into the playoff because it was able to lock down Michigan’s passing game and score a defensive touchdown precisely when the Buckeyes’ offense was struggling. Ohio State’s defense carried most of the load for the 2016 team, while the offense was up and down, working through periods of both feast and famine. Shaun Wade should lend stability and a good set of instincts to the cornerback spot, where he can continue to enable Ohio State to keep Penn State’s and Michigan’s offenses in check.
Aubrey Solomon, Defensive Tackle
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan defensive line lost a lot of starters from 2016, so one thing the Wolverines need is not necessarily dominance, but production from a lot of different sources. Michigan needs depth to be able to maintain its 2016 level of defensive performance. Solomon is an interesting case in that Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh recruited him by going on a go-kart ride. Harbaugh is known for thinking outside the box and being willing to do just about anything to land a Big Ten recruit. If Solomon plays well, Harbaugh will realize how important it was that he was willing to go for a ride.
Luke Farrell, Tight End
Ohio State Buckeyes
When Ohio State starts the 2017 season, it will need to get more from its tight end and from sources other than its wide receivers. Ohio State has good running backs, but its passing game was hit-and-miss, and so while Urban Meyer recruits very capable wide receivers, he needs the tight end to become more of a focal point of the offense, because the tight end can occupy linebackers in the middle third of the field and make it harder for safeties to offer help on receivers on the outside. Ohio State’s passing game needs a degree of added diversity, and Farrell can be just the man to change the fortunes of the Buckeyes’ offense in the Big Ten.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Wide Receiver
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan offense has lacked something basic over the past few seasons under coach Jim Harbaugh: the big-play receiver who can stretch a defense. That could help put the Wolverines’ running game in better position to operate effectively. A weapon that can beat the defense over the top means that opposing defenders can’t crowd the box.
Donovan Peoples-Jones is viewed by many as the receiver who could change everything for Michigan. If he is even 70 percent as good as the hype, Michigan could take the next step in the Big Ten East against Ohio State and Penn State.
Lamont Wade, Defensive Back
Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions have the offense. However, their defense was exposed by USC in the Rose Bowl. While they won the Big Ten last season, they were still technically the team behind Ohio State and Michigan in the national picture. If they really want to reach that level, they will have to keep pace with Ohio State’s and Michigan’s athletes this season. That means finding a way to slow them down on offense.
Wade is a perimeter athlete who can provide sorely-needed reinforcements for the defending Big Ten champions. He looks like he’ll be one of the best freshman on the block. That’s exactly what the Nittany Lions need as their defense was picked apart by elite teams last season. We’ll see if Wade can give them the boost they so desperately need.
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