Top Newcomers in the Big 10 in 2008
Terrelle Pryor

Top Newcomers in the Big 10 in 2008

Ohio State got most of the publicity in recruiting but there are others that could make a mark this year on the gridiron around the league.

By Bill Smith

Ohio State signed 9 of the top 100 according to Scout.com.

            Terrelle Pryor QB – While he won't start, look for him to be a factor in the run for a national championship.  Not only can he run but he is a much better passer than some think.

            Etienne Sabino LB – Sabino was rated the #2 inside linebacker in the nation.  He also was able to participate in spring practices which will help him tremendously.  He could well work into a rotation and contribute on special teams.

            Devier Posey WR – Some have compared his speed to Joey Galloway.  If so look out!  He was rated as the 4th best WR in high school in 07.

            Michael Brewster C – Brewster was the top rated center in this years class.

            Mike Adams T – Adams, the 2nd ranked T, will get a shot at replacing Barton at RT.

            J.B. Shugarts T – Shugarts was the 7th ranked T in the class and if he doesn't get the vacant starting spot will add to the depth of OSU.

            Jacob Stoneburner TE – Stoneburner is just that.  At 220 he runs in the 4.46 range in the 40.  He was rated as the 4th best TE in the class.

            Garrett Goebel DT  Coach Tressel believes in the basketball theory that “you never have enough good big men.”  Goebel was the 4th best DT in the class and could well work into the rotation at some point in the year.

            Andrew Sweat MLB – Sweat will add to the depth of the LB corps.  He was rated as the 6th best MLB in the class.   

            Lamaar Thomas RB – Thomas isn't the biggest guy at 5'10 but as 2 time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin says “it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog” that counts.  Thomas has 4.4 speed and was the 10th ranked RB in the class.              

Michigan

            Sam McGuffie RB – He has 4.4 speed and may end up replacing Hart in the Blue backfield.

            Justin Fagin QB – While there are some questions about his throwing motion, he fits the new style offense of Coach Rodriguez is installing.

            Daryl Stonham WR – He committed to Michigan before Carr left.  He is well regarded and should see action given the losses that Blue suffered from the 07 team in that position.

            Brandon Smith S – Smith was ranked as the 4th best safety in the class.

            Roy Roundtree W – A late signee that the Blue stole from Purdue. 

Minnesota

            Tramaine Brock S – The Gofer defense was deep in a hole in 07.  Brock is a big hitter with speed that played JC ball last year.

            Rex Sharp LB – Sharp is another JC player and is a big guy with a bad attitude that should help in stopping the run.

            David Pittman – Football Player – Pittman was a qb in JC ball but has speed and is an athlete.  Time will tell how and where he will contribute but he has the skill set to start in 08.

            Brandon Green WR and Vince Hill WR should improve their passing game and help replace Wheelright.

Illinois

            Jason Ford RB – Ford is a solid RB that could fill the vacant starting spot.

            Mikel LeShoure RB – LeShoure participated in spring ball and is slightly ahead of Ford on the depth chart.

            Donsay Hardeman (Jr. College) S – Hardeman is a physical safety and has a good chance to start given the loss of both S from last year.

            Graham Pocic OL – Pocic should contribute before the end of the season.

            Tavon Wilson CB – A DC guy that has talent.

Penn State

            Stephfon Green RB – As a Redshirt Freshman caught the eye of everyone with a 57 yard TD on his first carry in the spring game.  If PS goes to the spread offense, Green's great speed would fit well.

            Andrew Szczerba TE – The only thing harder than spelling his name may be to beat his block for the run or the pass.  Szczerba is a former OL that has decent speed and is an outstanding blocking TE.  He could replace Andrew Quarless as the starter in 08.

            Mark Wedderburn TE – He was the 13th ranked freshman in the class at TE.

            Mike Yancich LB – Yancich was the 4th rated weak LB in the class.

            Michael Zordich MLB – Zordich ranked 5th in the nation at MLB.

Wisconsin

            John Clay RB – The redshirt Freshman is one of a crowded backfield.

            Josh Oglesby T – Another road-grader sized guy with potential for the O line.

            Tyler Westphal DE – Westphal ranked 10th in the nation.

Purdue

            Aaron Valentin WR – Having lost 1800 yards of receptions from last year, WR is a critical need.  Valentin, a JC transfer, played in the spring and could be ready to help day 1.

            Arsenio Curry WR – Curry is a JC transfer that is big target at 6'5.

Indiana  

            Darius Willis RB – He is a local kid that has 4.5 speed at 205.  He should play a big part in the Hosier O.

            Donell Jones CB – Jones is a JC transfer that should contribute.

Northwestern

            Martin Bayless WR/S – This is one that got away from OSU.  Bayless will likely play WR and could start in 08.

            Vince Brown DE – RS Brown looks like a starter in his first year on the field.

Iowa

            Shonn Greene RB – Greene is back from JC.  He started at Iowa as both a true freshman and sophomore so he is expected to contribute right away.

Michigan State

            Fred Smith WR – Smith and the other prospects at WR have big shoes to fill.  The Spartans lost their top receiver Thomas to the draft.  Smith ranked as the 34th WR in the nation and is from Michigan.

            Steve Gardiner WLB – He is a Columbus player (Dublin Coffman) and was the 20th ranked WLB in the country.
 

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams and has scouted talent.  He is a senior writer for http://BrutusReport.com.  He has also published several novels on http://ebooks-library.com/index.cfm and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com

 




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