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