College Football 2012: The Top Incoming Freshman for Each Big Ten Team

Just moving forward in our series of top Freshman for each BCS Conference team. Let's head to the Midwest, as we pull into Big Ten country.

The Big Ten is trying to re-raise it's profile after hearing so many questions about the overall speed of the conference. With an infusion of more talent and the arrival of one Urban Meyer, this conference has become very sexy again. This will be a prime year for the Leaders and Legends divisions.

For this read, I'm going to give you the top incoming freshman for each Big Ten team.

Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana

Minnesota: Joe Pirsig, OT

At 6'9", 290-pounds, Pirsig is a tall OT prospect that can play RT or even LT.

Illinois: T.J. Neal, LB/FB

Neal is a 6'1", 225-pounder that can play MIKE 'backer or punish as a fullback.

Indiana: Nate Sudfeld, QB

Heart-broken after losing Gunner Kiel, Kevin Wilson has a 6'5", 215-pound young QB to groom and develop for the Hoosiers.

Iowa: Greg Garmon, RB

Garmon is a 6'2", 200-pound long and lean RB that can get it done in the Big Ten. He's very athletic, can run to his size and also has good speed with the football.

For someone so big as a runner, he's extremely elusive in space. Garmon is very creative with the football, has excellent vision, sets up blocks well and can reel off big runs in bunches.

Michigan: Ondre Pipkins, DT

Out of Terry Richardson, Devin Funchess, Kyle Kalis and the four great linebackers in the 2012 Michigan Class, I'm rolling with Pipkins.

At 6'3", 320 pounds, Pipkins has Alan Branch-or-better potential. He's explosive at the snap, powerful in his punches on blockers and has some range to chase and pursue. He'll be a natural space-eater, but Pipkins will likely grow into a playmaking role.

Michigan State: Aaron Burbridge, WR

Burbridge will come into the Big Ten and automatically be one of the fastest players in the conference right off the bat. He's a lean 6'1", 180-pound receiver that's whose strongest asset is his deep speed.

Burbridge can stem up a defensive back, get even and leave 'em in a flash. He'll haul in the deep ball by tracking with his eyes and has the crucial extra gear to go get the football anywhere it's thrown on the field.

Sparty got itself a pretty talented WR here in Burbridge.

Nebraska: Tommy Armstrong, QB

We watch Nebraska every Saturday run some option stuff with Taylor Martinez. Well, Tommy Armstrong will be doing the exact same things and more when he takes over in Lincoln.

A Texas native, Armstrong stands 6'1", 205 pounds and can make plays with his arm and feet.

He's an athletic signal-caller that fits perfectly in what Big Red wants to do offensively: use their QB as a rusher and make solid, high percentage throws.

Northwestern: Ifeadi Odenigbo, DE/OLB

Easy pick here with the Wildcats, as Odenigbo is the top incoming freshman for Pat Fitzgerald. 6'4", 220 pounds, he's an uber-athletic edge defender that has elite snap quickness, easy COD, length and an explosive burst to rush the passer.

Odenigbo is one of my top 100 players in the 2012 class and will be a superstar for Northwestern. He's still raw, but with some seasoning, I think he can factor as a DPR as a true freshman.

Ohio State: Noah Spence, DE

Spence is a top 10 recruit and the best pure pass-rusher in the 2012 national class. He's a 6'4", 240-pound DE that has excellent athletic ability, awesome explosion at the snap, length to stay clean and a sheer burst to finish on the passer.

I think he'll play the stand up rush end spot for the Buckeyes, but his speed and athleticism will get him on the field early.

He should be a superstar in two seasons.

Penn State: Eugene Lewis, WR

If you're like me, then you have to be thinking Penn State needs more pure talent on its roster. I just think an upgrade in athleticism and speed is needed in Happy Valley.

Eugene Lewis, a Pennsylvania native, helps out with that. At 6'2", 180 pounds, Lewis is a dynamic receiver that reminds a bit of Reggie Wayne. He grades out well in many positional factors and categories, and will be a prime weapon in Bill O'Brien's passing attack moving forward.

Purdue: Ryan Watson, OG

Watson is Purdue's man for this list, as he's a 6'3", 265-pound OL that I think will be an OG for the Boilermakers. He's very nasty at the point of attack and has great technique.

Watson has been coached up well, his technique is sound and he can pull well. He'll tag a moving target, is productive in space and can pass protect with solid foot quickness to recover.

Wisconsin: Dan Voltz, OG

I really like Voltz, as I have him among my top 100 or so prospects for 2012. At 6'4", 290 pounds, Voltz fits perfectly in Madison.

He's a tough, rugged interior line prospect that plays with a solid base, good strength and technique. He'll work each snap is a lunch-pail type and can perform many blocks for a front. He should develop into a solid OG for the Badgers.