As we are now just 3 days away from kick-off, a question on many fans minds is which newcomers will contribute this season. Today, DTI takes a look at the Top 5 Freshman who will have the biggest impact on the field in 2008:
1. Terrelle Pryor, QB- If you thought this would be anyone else, then you are foolish. Some people are scared that if opponents know that we are going to use TP like Urban Meyer used Tim Tebow at Florida two years ago, then it will not work. What you guys are forgetting is that two years ago, everyone knew Tebow was going to run on 3rd and 5, and nobody could even stop him then. Pryor is faster and probably slightly larger than Tebow was his freshman year, and should excel in the special packages. The one question we still have though is whether Pryor will be able to throw the ball every now and then to keep opposing defenses on their toes? Boy, are we excited to see this kid Saturday.
2. DeVier Posey, WR- Posey will enter the season fifth on the depth chart (behind Robiskie, Hartline, Sanzenbacher, and Small), but has been one of the mose impressive recievers in camp. Posey has often been compared to Chad Johnson, and has shown both the physical and mental maturity to warrant playing time this season. Expect Posey’s playing time to increase with every game and the night game at home vs. Penn State (9th game) could be his break-out campaign.
3. Mike Adams, RT- Even if he goes the entire season without supplanting Bryant Browning as the starter, Jim Bollman loves to rotate his linemen, and Adams should be one of the first reserves in. After coming back strong from shoulder surgery in the spring, Adams has gotten back into the mix on the O-Line, and this monster of an athlete () will surely not disappoint.
4. Lamaar Thomas, WR/KR/PR- In the past I have previously described Thomas as OSU’s own Percy Harvin. While Thomas may not see the field as much as Harvin did as a true freshman at Florida, I expect him to have an impact on gadget plays, certain packages, and the return game, by year’s end. He is too good of an athlete to keep off the field this year.
5. Keith Wells, DE- The Darkhorse on my list edges out Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat as my last impact freshman. There is so much depth at the linebacker position, that it may not be worth wasting those two this year. On the other hand, defensive end is not as deep, and after Lawrence Wilson, Cameron Heyward, and Thad Gibson, playing time is up for grabs. Wells, a talented pass-rusher from Georgia, has the size and speed to play immediately. He will have to compete with Solomon Thomas, Curtis Terry, and Mark Johnson to get into the rotation, but by year’s end, look for #94 to be flying around and making plays.
Just Missed The Cut
Etienne Sabino, LB– Laurinaitis, Freeman, Homan, Spitler, Rolle, Moeller, and Terry/Hines (both have other positions) have lead many to believe he will be red-shirted. Sabino is such a good player though, that, if he is not red-shirted, he jumps to number 5 on my list above, for just his special teams impact alone.
Andrew Sweat, LB- Caught in a similar situation of depth with Sabino, Sweat would not jump on my list if he sees time. I think he will be very good in time, but this year expect him to red-shirt or see very limited action.
Travis Howard, CB- The dark horse of my ‘just missed the list’ players, Howard may have a bigger impact than most think, especially if needed early, because of suspensions to Donald Washington and Jamario O’Neal. Howard is extremely gifted and has already caught the eye of Malcolm Jenkins in camp. He will probably see time on special teams this year (taking what would have been James Scott’s place) and if he gets more than limited action in the secondary, jumps Keith Wells for the last spot on the list above.
