NU has had an excellent record developing new talent. At least one Wildcat found himself listed on the ESPN All Freshman B1G on both sides of the ball since 2011, excepting 2013:
2014 Justin Jackson (true), Anthony Walker (RS), and Godwin Igwebuike (RS)
2013 Matt Harris (true)
2012 Dan Vitale (true), Nick Van Hoose (RS), Dean Lowry (true)
2011 Brandon Vitabile (RS), Ibraheim Campbell (RS)
My best guesses for 2015:
QB Thorson
WR Perry
DT Thompson (assuming healthy)
CB Westphal (assuming healthy)
KR Roberts
Other highly touted freshmen, such as RBs Moten and Anderson, those on the defensive line, etc. will be competing with one another and all ready proven upper classmen, but I predict one or two will exceed expectations a la DE Washington and garner meaningful playing time and become recognized. My guess is Westphal will be the third CB All B1G at Cornerback U.
Added to this list is the disclaimer of my having no knowledge about the freshman prospects from other B1G teams.
As an aside, NU's All B1G track record is impressive. I hope it's being promoted to prospective recruits who have the motivation to showcase themselves on the field out of the gates. It's interesting to note that Northwestern together with Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State accounted for all but two of the 22 slots for 2014 position players; that's 4 teams in a conference of 14 teams. And Penn State is an outlier here, given that the top heavy scholarships compelled that program to play mostly younger talent after years of sanctions. And keep in mind: NU's recruiting classes are generally 25 percent less than the attrition-schemed programs listed above.
This post was edited on 1/13 11:48 AM by Cat In The Cradle
2014 Justin Jackson (true), Anthony Walker (RS), and Godwin Igwebuike (RS)
2013 Matt Harris (true)
2012 Dan Vitale (true), Nick Van Hoose (RS), Dean Lowry (true)
2011 Brandon Vitabile (RS), Ibraheim Campbell (RS)
My best guesses for 2015:
QB Thorson
WR Perry
DT Thompson (assuming healthy)
CB Westphal (assuming healthy)
KR Roberts
Other highly touted freshmen, such as RBs Moten and Anderson, those on the defensive line, etc. will be competing with one another and all ready proven upper classmen, but I predict one or two will exceed expectations a la DE Washington and garner meaningful playing time and become recognized. My guess is Westphal will be the third CB All B1G at Cornerback U.
Added to this list is the disclaimer of my having no knowledge about the freshman prospects from other B1G teams.
As an aside, NU's All B1G track record is impressive. I hope it's being promoted to prospective recruits who have the motivation to showcase themselves on the field out of the gates. It's interesting to note that Northwestern together with Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State accounted for all but two of the 22 slots for 2014 position players; that's 4 teams in a conference of 14 teams. And Penn State is an outlier here, given that the top heavy scholarships compelled that program to play mostly younger talent after years of sanctions. And keep in mind: NU's recruiting classes are generally 25 percent less than the attrition-schemed programs listed above.
This post was edited on 1/13 11:48 AM by Cat In The Cradle