Ohio State proved one year ago that a team could reach the College Football Playoff even if they don’t win a Power Five conference championship. However, it’s fairly unlikely that the Buckeyes will get back to the big dance unless they finish atop the Big Ten this coming season. Ohio State certainly has the weapons to contend for a national title including several intriguing young freshman that are expected to make an instant impact. Here is a look at the most intriguing freshman on Big Ten teams heading in to the 2017 season.
RB: J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State Buckeyes
Urban Meyer’s incoming freshman class is absolutely loaded with a handful of 5-star players and 13 more 4-star players looking to make an immediate impact. At the top of the list of freshman talents is Robbins, who has already put himself in the conversation for touches at the running back position this spring. Dobbins has an incredible blend of speed and power. Those close to the Buckeyes think that he is primed to steal touches from Mike Weber and Demario McCall from the outset. There is no doubt that Dobbins has the skill set to make an immediate impact. All eyes will be on Dobbins to see if he can establish himself as a star freshman in a loaded buckeyes backfield.
WR: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan wide receiver core was hit hard this offseason with the losses of Amara Darboh, Jehu Chesson and tight end Jake Butt. While the Wolverines will have a tough time replacing all three of those pass-catchers, they do have a potential star on the way in Peoples-Jones. The 5-star receiver is expected to shine in a relatively inexperienced wide receiver core where he has the potential to put up big numbers from the outset. Peoples-Jones might not start right away but it won’t be long before he assumes one of the starting roles for Michigan.
CB: Lamont Wade, Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions feel like the College Football Playoff committee owes them a debt after leaving them out of the four-team selection after they won the Big Ten last season. Penn State has a lot to prove and they undoubtedly have the talent to contend for another conference title. The Nittany Lions will once again rely on a number of young talents to make an immediate impact including their freshman cornerback Wade, who is the favorite to be their breakout player of the year. Wade took advantage of John Reid’s potential season-ending injury to earn a starting job this spring and he isn’t likely to relinquish it at any point. Wade has the skill set and the confidence to thrive at Penn State so keep an eye out for him in his freshman season.
QB: Jack Coan, Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers brought in Malik Zaire as a grad transfer from Notre Dame so he is expected to be the starting quarterback this season. However, Zaire will need to prove he can stay healthy and start every game, which clearly didn’t happen when he was with the Fighting Irish. Another injury to Zaire could open the door for Coan to start in his freshman season so he will need to be ready for the opportunity. Coan has the raw skills to eventually produce as a starter but he is still fairly raw. It will be very interesting to see if Coan gets the opportunity to start as well as how he will perform if he gets the chance.
DE: A.J. Epenesa, Iowa Hawkeyes
Epenesa is an Iowa legacy and a five-star prospect. Nobody will be surprised if he makes an immediate impact for the Hawkeyes this coming season. The 6’5’’, 260-pound defensive end will undoubtedly come off the bench behind established starters in Anthony Nelson and Parker Hesse, but he has the potential to be the most disruptive player on their defensive line. Iowa has a talented front-four but keep an eye out for Epenesa as a freshman that could have a greater impact than expected this coming season.
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