Big Ten Football: Which True Freshmen Will Make the Biggest Splash?

Seneca said that, "Luck is where opportunity meets preperation."

Perhaps that is the story of high-impact true freshmen. It's not strictly about talent.

For example, this recruiting season, Michigan State picked up the commitment of a talented, young running back in Onaje Miller out of Lansing. However, due to a stocked backfield that includes last season's true frosh sensation Le'Veon Bell, there just might not be enough carries to go around.

In the end, some teams have pressing needs, due to which a talented, hard-working freshman can come right in and contribute immediately.

Meanwhile, other talented, hard-working freshmen will have to wait their turn.

At this point, signing day is almost upon us. While most teams are still looking to sign a last recruit or two, and there may be some February 2 drama in store, the majority of classes are complete.

Given what we now know, we can begin to speculate which Big Ten true freshmen will have the biggest impact in their first year on campus.

Wisconsin Badgers: Kenzel Doe, Wide Receiver

From: Oak Ridge, North Carolina

Measurables: 5'8", 171 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.40 seconds.

Why Wisconsin Needs Him Right Now: The Badgers graduated three of their top five pass catchers from 2010, including receivers David Gilreath and Isaac Anderson.

While senior Nick Toon and sophomore Jared Abbrederis figure to start for UW, the Badgers will need to find a slot receiver as well as fill out their depth chart.

On top of that, Gilreath was the Badgers' return man. In effect, there will be a chance for an incoming player to compete for that spot.

Why Doe Can Compete Right Now: Doe graduated high school early so that he could be on campus this semester and compete in spring practices.

On top of that, Doe played receiver in high school and knows the ins and outs of the position. As his tape shows, he is an experienced route runner. He did not just outrun his high school competition, as is so often the case when talented young receivers play against obviously inferior high school competition.

That said, he is extremely fast, and is a dangerous player in space.

Illinois Illini: Donovonn Young, Running Back

From: Katy, Texas

Measurables: 5'11", 215 lbs. No listed 40 time.

Why the Illinois Needs Him Right Now: With the early departure of Mikel Leshoure, the Illini need running backs.

In all likelihood, senior Jason Ford will be the featured back for Illinois with fellow senior Troy Pollard backing him up. However, beyond that, there is opportunity.

Why Young Can Compete Right Now: Both Ford and Pollard are burners. The Illini need a bruiser to offset the styles of their top two backs.

Young is ideal in that respect. His style is purely bullish. He will run people over and get the ugly, in-between-the-tackles yards.

Moreover, at 215 lbs., he is physically ready to get involved.

Iowa Hawkeyes: Nicholas Law, Safety

From: Forestville, Maryland

Measurables: 6'3", 190 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds.

Why Iowa Needs Him Right Now: Iowa has started the same two safeties for three straight years. Now, both of them are gone. Needless to say, there are no players with any notable experience that are ready to step in.

Moreover, Iowa special teams were a mess last season. The Hawks need fast, hard-hitting defensive backs with special teams experience.

Why Law Can Compete Right Now: Law knows the safety position. Moreover, he is a very big hitter, and the Iowa defense is predicated on safeties that are solid in run support. 

Law will have a chance to compete immediately for a place on the depth chart, both as a safety and as a nickelback. He also has a good deal of special teams experience, and can be expected to play a major part on both the kick and punt coverage teams.

Northwestern Wildcats: Jarrell Williams, Cornerback

From: Oak Lawn, Illinois

Measurables: 5'10", 165 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.40 seconds.

Why Northwestern Needs Williams Right Now: The Cats graduated their best corner in Justan Vaughn. Senior Jordan Mabin will start at one corner position, but right now, the other spot is wide open.

On top of that, Pat Fitzgerald likes to use a lot of different packages on defense, and defensive backs are always invaluable on special teams.

Why Williams Can Compete Right Now: Even if Williams doesn't earn a starting spot, he can immediately play as a nickel or dimeback.

Moreover, a speedster like him can be invaluable as a gunner on punt coverage.

Ohio State Buckeyes: Braxton Miller, Quarterback

From: Huber Heights, Ohio

Measurables: 6'2", 185 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.50 seconds.

Why Ohio State Needs Miller Right Now: Terrelle Pryor is still the quarterback. However, as is fairly common knowledge by now, he will miss the first five games of the season.

OSU has solid backups in senior Joe Bauserman and sophomore Kenny Guiton, not to mention redshirt freshman Taylor Graham.

The problem is that all three of the backups have distinctly different skill sets than Pryor. The current OSU offense is built around Pryor. If Coach Tressel has to change his offense for five games, that could cause continuity problems when Pryor gets back.

Why Miller Can Compete Right Now: Miller has pretty much the same skill set as Pryor. Although he is nowhere near the physical specimen that Pryor is, he is a more polished passer than Pryor was out of high school.

If Miller starts, Tressel would probably not have to alter his offense. Of course, he would have to simplify it a bit for the true frosh.

On top of that, Miller has enrolled early so that he can participate in spring practice.

Michigan State Spartans: Lawrence Thomas, Defensive End/Linebacker

From: Detroit, Michigan

Measurables: 6'4", 230 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.75 seconds.

Why Michigan State Needs Thomas Right Now: It is not so much a question of "need" as "want" for MSU.

First of all, the Spartans lost a number of players in the linebacking corps, not to mention defensive end Colin Neely. Secondly, head coach Mark Dantonio likes to use a lot of different looks—including both a 4-3 and a 3-4—and he likes to substitute a lot.

Finally, Dantonio is not averse to using freshmen as specific role players.

Why Thomas Can Compete Right Now: In all probability, Thomas has a future of an end in a 4-3 or a rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4.

However, right now, he could be used as a situational rusher from a standing position. As his video shows, he likes going after the quarterback.

On top of that, he could play a role on coverage teams; an area on which Dantonio places top priority.

Nebraska Cornhuskers: Aaron Green, Running Back

From: San Antonio, Texas

Measurables: 5'11" 185 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.48 seconds.

Why Nebraska Needs Green Right Now: With Roy Helu gone, junior Rex Burkhead looks ready to take over the featured carrier role. However, there will be competition for the second spot on the depth chart.

As Nebraska runs a lot—seventh most attempts in the country—they like to substitute in the backfield. Last season, Burkhead had 172 carries; only 16 less than Helu.

On top of that, kick returner Niles Paul has graduated. The Huskers will be looking for a new man in the return game.

Why Green Can Compete Right Now: Burkhead is a banger. Nebraska's third man last season—Dontrayevous Robinson—is also a banger. Green is a speedster. He is a better complement to Burkhead's between-the-tackles style.

Moreover, Green has experience returning kicks, and is extremely dangerous in space. Once he gets an opening he can outrace most players in the country.

Finally, the offense on which he played in high school is similar to Nebraska's. He shouldn't have any trouble learning the ropes.

Purdue Boilermakers: Brandon Cottom, Linebacker/Defensive End

From: Newton, Pennsylvania

Measurables: 6'2", 225 lbs. Scout lists his 40 at 4.50 seconds. Rivals lists it at 5.12 seconds. At 225 pounds., let's hope he's closer to 4.50, at least, for Purdue's sake.

Why Purdue Needs Cottom Right Now: Ryan Kerrigan is gone, and with him goes over 40 percent of Purdue's 2010 sacks. That doesn't even take into consideration the sacks he indirectly caused by receiving extra attention from opposing offensive linemen.

Danny Hope will have to find a way to generate a pass rush. Whether it comes via blitz packages or the line, he will need somebody to pressure the quarterback.

Why Cottom Can Compete Right Now: Cottom was known as a running back in high school. However, he projects to play linebacker or even defensive end in college.

He might be able to come right in and substitute on passing downs as a blitzing end or linebacker.

With the speed I presume he has as a former running back, he might be Hope's most consistent way to bring heat.

Penn State Nittany Lions: Shawn Oakman, Defensive End

From: Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

Measurables: 6'8", 250 lbs. No known 40 time.

Why Penn State Needs Oakman Right Now: Between 2005-2009, the Nittany Lions averaged 39.4 sacks per season. In 2010, they had 17.

Not surprisingly, the Lions also had their worst scoring defense since 2003.

In short, Penn State needs a consistent pass rusher now.

Why Oakman Can Compete Right Now: Oakman is a pure pass rusher. In his junior year, he accumulated 17 sacks.

At 6'8", he is already a huge specimen for any lineman to handle. He needs a good deal of work on his technique, as well as some more bulk, but in obvious passing downs, he could be a substantial asset.

Indiana Hoosiers: Nick Stoner, Defensive Back

From: Greenwood, Indiana

Measurables: 6'1", 170 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.42 seconds

Why Indiana Needs Stoner Right Now: Last season, Indiana had arguably the worst pass defense in the Big Ten. While Michigan and Northwestern let up more yards through the air, opposing quarterbacks had a league-worst 156.50 efficiency rating against the IU defense.  

It won't be any easier this season, as the Hoosiers graduate arguably their two best defensive backs in safety Mitchell Evans and cornerback Adrian Burks.

Lastly, with Tandon Doss' early entry into the NFL, Indiana finds itself without a return man.

Why Stoner Can Compete Right Now: Probably more of a safety than a corner at the college level, Stoner knows how to cover. Moreover, he has top end speed.

He is a little small and will have to work on his tackling.

Nevertheless, as he already has punt and kick return experience, he should be able to immediately compete for that job, as well as help out on defense.

Minnesota Golden Gophers: Steve Montgomery, Defensive Back

From: Mirimar, Florida

Measurables: 5'11", 187 lbs. Runs the 40 in 4.45 seconds.

Why Minnesota Needs Montgomery Right Now: Minnesota's defense in 2010 could best be described as sieve-like. The rushing defense let up over five yards per carry, and the passing D allowed an opposing quarterback efficiency rating of 154.16.

Aside from everything else the defense lacked, it could have used some toughness.

On top of that, the Gophers' two best D-backs—Kyle Theret and Ryan Collado—have graduated. The cupboard is not dry in the Minnesota secondary, but perhaps some new blood might be what this bunch needs.

Why Montgomery Can Compete Right Now: Montgomery can probably play safety or cornerback, as needed, but he seems more suited to strong safety. 

He is a playmaker, but more importantly, he is hard-nosed and he likes to hit. Sometimes, all a squad needs is that one type of player to turn things around.

Furthermore, Montgomery is already at playing size. Certainly, he can gain some muscle mass, but he is physically ready to take the pounding of FCS football.

If Montgomery doesn't earn a starting spot, he could play a valuable role in spot situations, as well as on special teams.

Michigan Wolverines: Matt Wile, Kicker

From: San Diego, California

Measurables: 6'2", 210 lbs.

Why Michigan Needs Wile Right Now: Last season, Michigan connected on 28.6 percent of its field goals. I'm not one that is prone to use exclamation points, but 28.6 percent!

Over the course of the season, the Wolverines used two different kickers; both freshmen, one on scholarship. Furthermore, the kickers did not improve, as they went 1-for-5 over the last five games.

Not surprisingly, Michigan had the fewest field goal attempts in the conference with 14. Conversely, they had the most fourth down conversion attempts with 28. Finally, they were dead last in red zone conversions, both overall and field goal percentage. Put simply, with UM, it was touchdown or nothing. That is the situation their poor kicking game put them in.

There is no telling what sort of difference it might have made if former coach Rich Rodriguez had had any confidence in his kickers.

Why Wile Can Compete Right Now: New coach Brady Hoke has some big issues he's got to clean up, but possibly none more glaring than the kicking game.

It is fair to assume that Wile was brought in to compete and take over the place kicking job immediately.

Worst come to worst, if he fails, he is also an able punter. He could take a redshirt and succeed sophomore punter Will Hagerup—who did have a solid 2010—when Hagerup graduates in 2013.