Big Ten Football Predictions: Every Team's Impact Freshman in 2011

Any coach that tells you true freshmen don't make an impact is lying.  It is all a matter of recruiting within your offense and defense, not going after just any player. 

There have been many freshmen that came into their college and made a huge impact immediately. 

Every team has one player that will contribute to their team's success as a freshman. It's just a matter of finding him. 

Jon Davis, Tight End (Illinois)

Illinois needs help in almost every way possible in football, and hopefully Jon Davis can have a productive season.  He is 6'3", 230 pounds and runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. 

Jon Davis is a down-field threat because of his speed and his ability to get off the line of scrimmage.  He might transition to wide receiver if his blocking doesn’t improve. Either way, he should be getting playing time come the beginning of the 2011 season. 

D'Angelo Robert, Running Back (Indiana)

As a speedy downhill running back, D’Angelo Roberts has the talent to start at Indiana. 

Their starting running back last season only had 352 rushing yards and has since graduated.  D’Angelo Roberts has a good chance to come into Indiana as a true freshman and start for the Hoosiers.

Indiana went 5-7 last year, so any improvement will surely be welcomed. 

Jordan Walsh, Guard (Iowa)

As the second best guard in the 2011 recruiting class, this 6'3" 275 pound guard should make an immediate impact. 

He is very aggressive, gets off the ball very easily and uses his hands very well.  He has 34 pancake blocks as a sophomore and can squat up to 515 pounds. 

He graduated high school with a 3.8 GPA and should be a huge addition to the Iowa offensive line.

Blake Countess, Cornerback (Michigan)

Every team could use as many fast and smart corner backs, Blake Countess is Michigan's for 2011.  He is a very physical corner and loves to play bum and run. 

He is very successful at playing so close to the receiver because he runs a 4.47 40 yard dash making it easy for him to make up ground if he gets beat off the line. 

I would expect Blake Countess to play the roll of the dime or nickle corner next year as a true freshman with the possibility of starting in years to come. 

Jack Allen, Center (Michigan State)

The Michigan State Spartans have a potential starting center arriving this summer in Jack Allen.  He is incredibly smart coming out of high school with a 4.3 weighted GPA. 

If he plans to start in his true freshman year, smarts and quickness are very important for a young offensive lineman.  He is decently sized at 6'2" 275 pounds and has developed phenomenal fundamentals. 

The center position is undecided after spring practices and with Jack Allen currently working out in East Lansing. Watch out for this true freshman to make a big impact for the Spartans

Quinn Bauducco, Middle Linebacker (Minnesota)

University of Minnesota should be very excited for Quinn Bauducco.  He is not the fastest or strongest middle linebacker, but he is extremely reliable. 

He has very good instincts and lays the hammer once he gets to somebody.  He has the size at 6'3" 220 pounds and runs a 4.75 40-yard dash. 

Minnesota finished 9th in the Big Ten and had a 3-9 overall record.  Any talent is appreciated for the Gophers, and Quinn Bauducco could be the answer in the middle of their defense. 

Charles Jackson, Cornerback (Nebraska)

After the loss of Prince Amukamara, Charles Jackson is perfect to fill that void.  He is the number two corner in the nation and has instincts with the best in the nation. 

He is a sure-fire defender on the outside; very crucial against the power running attacks of Wisconsin and Iowa. 

He runs a 4.4 40-yard dash, and plays zone and man coverage very well.  He can be left on an island and with no safety over the top.

Jordan Perkins, Running Back (Northwestern)

Northwestern pulled Jordan Perkins away from Stanford and signed the speedy running back.  He isn’t one of the highest rated running backs, but Northwestern could use the help. 

As a junior, he ran for 1,377 yards and 14 touchdowns.  Northwestern has two running backs that are splitting time as the starting running back, but Jordan Perkins should still be able to see playing time as a tail back. 

Braxton Miller, Quarterback (Ohio State)

This freshman will have the biggest impact out of any freshman in the nation.  He is lined up to be the starting quarterback for Ohio State as a true freshman. 

He runs a 4.47 40-yard dash and has an extremely strong arm.  Typical of most running quarterbacks, his one flaw is his accuracy, especially downfield. 

He is very dangerous when the defense loses outside containment because of his ability to run downfield. 

Angelo Mangiro, Guard (Penn State)

Angelo Mangiro has a good chance at becoming a very special college guard.  He has an enormous lower body, being able to squat 475 pounds. 

He has a very good punch off the ball and moves his feet very well for a man his size.  He primarily blocked in his high school team's offense. 

Joe Paterno will love Angelo Mangiro’s toughness and should be very fun to watch on Saturday next season.

Robert Kugler, Tight End (Purdue)

He can play on both sides of the ball, but all signs are pointing toward Robert Kugler playing tight end for the Boilermakers.  He runs very crisp, hard routes and has very good hands down in the trenches.

He has a low center of gravity while run-blocking and is one of the smartest kids in all of high school football.  He averaged an A-plus GPA in high school making him even more of a threat. 

This kid is the complete package at tight end.

Sam Arneson, Tight End (Wisconsin)

Wisconsin doesn’t normally go after the most athletic players in high school, but Sam Arneson is an exception. 

He is 6'4" tall and 225 pounds while being able to run a 4.7 40-yard dash.  He has good run-blocking ability and is sure handed. 

If anyone will fit in to Wisconsin’s offense immediately, it is Sam Arneson.  Watch out for him to make his way onto the field as a true freshman and really start to make a difference for the Badgers.