Big Ten Football Recruiting: Ranking the Top Instant Impact Freshmen in 2011

Our next conference peek takes us to the Big Ten. Nebraska is making the move into the historic conference and will certainly bolster the conference's power overall.

Ohio State and Michigan have always been the flagship schools in the Big Ten, but now Nebraska is here and the likes of Penn State, Michigan State and Iowa are also strong conference powers.

In the 2011 cycle, Ohio State took full advantage over the questions and eventual coaching change at Michigan, cleaning up around Big Ten country and plucking some talent nationally as well. Nebraska is not coming into the conference without ammo, using the 2011 cycle to gear up immediately and for the future.

Here are the top freshmen coming into the Big Ten to not only become legends and leaders, but also have an instant impact.

10. Anthony Zettel, DE: Penn State

Zettel looks like the standard Big Ten defensive end in that he is a solid pass rusher, but an even better run stuffer. 6'4", 255 pounds, he works every snap with effort, competitiveness and his motor is relentless. He's not just a "try hard" guy, but his hustle and go is well worth noting when you watch him play.

Zettel is stout against the run, does not stay blocked for long and plays with solid overall technique. He's not a head ducker in space and wraps up well to tackle. He gets a jump on blockers as a rusher and his motor doesn't allow him to stop until he finishes in the pocket.

Zettel has the size, strength and classic hustle that JoePa and the Penn State staff look for, which will get him on the field early in his freshman year—even if it is just as a situational guy.

9. Bubba Starling, QB/ATH: Nebraska

Years ago, Big Red had the commitment of one Blaine Gabbert, fired Bill Callahan and saw Gabbert leave for rival Missouri.

Now, Nebraska has its QB in Taylor Martine— an uber-athletic signal-caller. But Martinez has had some run-ins with Bo Pelini and has had the injury bug bite him a few times.

Starling may never reach Nebraska, as he is a terrific baseball prospect who could be a high pick in the MLB amateur draft this spring. Yet if he does decide to play football, he's just too good of an athlete not to have on the field.

6'4", 200 pounds, Starling has 4.5 speed and a hose for an arm. He could see time and come in as a Wildcat guy with Martinez or even see time at receiver. Having two special athletes on the field at the same time in Starling and Martinez puts more pressure on Big Ten defenses, which is why you have to figure Starling could have an immediate impact.

8. Doran Grant, DB: Ohio State

Grant chose Ohio State over Michigan State and is an excellent corner back prospect. Ohio State loves to collect solid defensive backs in every recruiting class and Grant will give the Buckeyes more versatility to run various nickel and dime packages as a freshman.

5'10, 175 pounds, Grant has a smooth backpedal and really plays bigger than his listed size. He doesn't back down from bigger receivers and has the leaping ability to hold his own in the redzone on fade routes. While he's not the strongest to jam and re-route, Grant stays in receivers' back pockets and frustrates them.

The Buckeyes have a solid depth chart on both defensive perimeter islands, but look for Grant to crack the lineup as a third, fourth and fifth defensive back and see time in special packages.

7. Charles Jackson, DB: Nebraska

Jackson will impress the Pelini brothers because of this main reason: He's very physical. Jackson loves press coverage, jams well with good strength and throws receivers off their route-stems with ease. He competes for every ball like it's his.

5'11", 180 pounds, Jackson is also not scared at all to support the run, which makes him ideal for the nickel-back role early in his career. He can cover slot guys, blitz and fill alleys as a freshman while learning the overall Cornhusker defense.

His nimble feet and hips will also help him get on the field by seeing action on special teams, where he can play on the coverage units—and also as a classic physical and menacing vice on punt return.

6. Justice Hayes, RB: Michigan

Hayes committed to Big Blue and stuck it out through the Rich Rod to Brady Hoke switch. He's known as a mature, heady player—which is why he has drawn some Mike Hart-comparison banter.

5'10", 185 pounds, Hayes could find his quick and shifty running style toting the rock in the Big House instantly in Ann Arbor. While he may not be ready for every down status this year, Hayes can provide a nice change of pace and speed to the Wolverines' rushing attack as they move back to a traditional offense.

Put Hayes and Denard Robinson in the same backfield—why move from the option? The Titans even ran some option with Vince Young and Chris Johnson two years ago and it worked well. Both players are dynamic playmakers and work wonders with the ball.

Look for Hayes to spread his wings on his helmet and figuratively fly around for Michigan as a freshman.

5. Tyler Moore, OT: Nebraska

Nebraska has been known for its offensive lineman for years and Tyler Moore will leave the Cornhusker program as one of the better offensive uglies to come to campus. 6'6", 300 pounds, Moore has the tools to be All-Big Ten down the road.

He's talented enough to start, but what will get him on the field early will be his ability to play both spots on the right side. Moore has the skill set to fare well on the edge on the right side, showing he can anchor vs. powerful rushers that play the left end on defense. Yet, he is quick and strong enough to maul inside as a guard.

I really think he can play the swing role early, spelling right side linemen for a few series as a true freshman and developing into a starter as a sophomore for the Big Red.

4. Curtis Grant, LB: Ohio State

Grant is one if the best linebackers coming into college football in the 2011 season. Some even had him as the top linebacker in the 2011 recruiting cycle. He chose Ohio State over Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.

6'3", 225 pounds, Grant is too talented not to see some time on the Buckeye defense. Ohio State is a solid school for linebackers to attend and have a solid depth chart of second-level defenders returning who know the system—but you have to figure Grant could be a sub-package defender early as a true freshman and develop into a starter by the end of the season.

Grant is very physical, has great vision and instincts and plays zone coverage pretty good. Ohio State will find a way to use him early on.

3. Lawrence Thomas, LB: Michigan State

Mark Dantonio likes his teams to be tough and physical. He recruits to his conference's personnel and has built his program into a classic Big Ten school that is primed for the cold, tough and physical play around the conference.

Lawrence Thomas fills the mold and then some. 6'4", 235 pounds, Thomas is a big player that also has very good athleticism. He could be listed as an ATH easily since he could grow into a defensive end to right end—as well as his first spot of linebacker.

Thomas will see the field early in Sparta, making an impact on special teams and factoring on the defense. Look for him to play the SAM linebacker spot and even move down to rush end on sub packages. He's just too big, too fast and too athletic to be sitting on the bench for the Spartans.

2. Aaron Green, RB: Nebraska

Green is a 5'10" 190-pound boom of dynamite that will leave the Lone Star state to tote the rock for the Cornhuskers. He has a very speedy, quick and shifty running style, but also combines some pop and power ever so often.

If he can pick up on the pass protection calls quickly then Green could see a lot of time; his instincts and run vision are that good. He shows an understanding of how to read front sevens, where overhangs are and locates extra box defenders very well to avoid them.

Green has home run ability on a solid-sized frame, which get him on the field early to get his feet wet with some carries. Look for Green to have a bigger impact than Darrell Scott had in his freshman year at Colorado.

1. Braxton Miller, QB: Ohio State

Miller is clearly Ohio State's QB of the future, but that time may be now.

Much has been of the Terrelle Pryor suspension for next year and how Miller could be the opening day starter through the first five games.

Ken Guiton and Joe Baurserman will fight for the top spot as well, but Miller is a playmaker and has drawn comparisons to Pat White, Donovan McNabb and even former Buckeye great, Troy Smith. 6'2", 190 pounds, Miller will enter Columbus already a legend and could see time in packages like Pryor did early in his freshman season.

Jim Tressel is underrated in the sense of playing freshmen early, and if he thinks a freshman is the best guy for a job or deserves time, then he will play the youngster. Miller has the talent to prove to Tressel he deserves time and if he can come in and learn the playbook, he'll have an instant impact for Ohio State.