One of the most exciting elements of a new college football season is grading the incoming talent and figuring out which freshman players are set to make the biggest impact. That is definitely true in the Big 12 where a number of impact players will be looking to shine in their first college seasons. Here is a look at the most intriguing freshman on Big 12 teams heading in to the 2017 season.
RB: Trey Sermon, Oklahoma Sooners
Sermon isn’t a speed back by any means but he is a physical beast that is extremely difficult to bring down. The 6’0’’, 215-pound Sermon has tremendous wiggle and burst and his ability to break tackles makes him stand out on tape. The 4-star running back prospect is a goal-line specialist that can really carve out a role as a specialist in the Sooners backfield. Sermon’s overall numbers might not be outstanding but he should have some solid touchdown totals as a goal-line specialist in his freshman season. He’s one of the key reasons why the Sooners are expected to win the Big 12 again next season.
RB: Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State is loaded at every skill position but the one freshman name that stands out the most is Hubbard. Justice Hill has the potential to be a 1,000-yard rusher so Hubbard’s touches might be limited in the beginning but there is no doubt he has the potential to make a serious impact. Hubbard is an accomplished sprinter that will also participate on the Cowboys track team this season and his elite speed makes him that much more intriguing of a prospect. Hill will handle the bulk of the touches but don’t sleep on Hubbard as a potential star freshman this season.
S: Derek Pitts, West Virginia Mountaineers
It won’t take long at all for Big 12 offenses to get a look at the Mountaineers’ freshman safety Pitts. The 6’2’’, 180-pound boomer knows how to play the position and he is capable of laying out some big hits. Pitts showed off his tackling ability with a strong spring game in which he registered several hits and recovered a fumble. Pitts is considered an elite prospect with play making ability and it will be intriguing to see what kind of an impact he has in his freshman year.
The Mountaineers went 7-2 in conference play last season and 10-3 overall. A lot is expected of them in the Big 12 this season – especially with Texas rebuilding and Oklahoma going into the season without Bob Stoops.
LB: Daniel Green, Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats lost Elijah Lee, Charmeachealle Moore and Will Davis, which means the door will be wide open for Green to earn a starting linebacker spot in 2017. No returning player at the position has recorded more than 15 tackles in a season so Green should be able to lock down a starting job from the outset. Kansas State needs Green to contribute at a high level right away and it will be interesting to see what he is capable of accomplishing in his freshman season.
TE: Cade Brewer, Texas Longhorns
Texas might end up needing Brewer to start in his freshman season if Reese Leitao misses time after he was charged with possession of drugs. That might not be a bad thing for their offensive production with Brewer ready to contribute right away. The 6’3’’ pass-catcher has soft hands and is capable of making plays in tight windows. Brewer could use some time to bulk up but there is no doubt his receiving skills should translate to success in his freshman season at Texas.
Texas might be a team on the rise but they have a very tough schedule to start the 2017 season. They’ll get a stern test from an up-and-coming Maryland squad in Week 1. Then they’ll have to visit USC – a Top 10 team – in Week 3 and then they’ll get back-to-back games with Kansas State and Oklahoma to start October. They will have a home game versus San Jose State and a road trip to Iowa State sandwiched in, but that is a very tough start to the season for the Longhorns.
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