By Brian Smith
Special to Under The Rock
College football always brings new names and faces with the donning of each season. The Big 10 is no exception.
While many Indiana fans are familiar with the name Damarlo Belcher, most conference rivals will become acquainted with the 6-5 receiver later this fall, much to their detriment. Indiana will need a go-to wide receiver from the outset of the season. Belcher provides the talent to be that player.
The other four players may or may not surprise people, depending upon how closely they follow recruiting.
Say hello to Boubacar Cissoko. Yeah, try to say that name five times fast. Good luck. The Michigan cornerback was highly recruited out of Detroit before signing with the Wolverines in Feb. of 2008. The sophomore has excellent speed and quickness. Despite his diminutive 5-9 frame, Cissiko can battle with bigger wide receivers, too. Playing opposite soon to be NFL cornerback Donovan Warren (he'll be ready for the NFL after this season), Cissoko will see plenty of passes come his way this fall. He will be up to the challenge more often than not.
Before heading to Iowa City, Marvin McNutt played quarterback at Central HS in Hazelwood, Mo. fter a year at Iowa, he's now receiving the passes instead of throwing them. His physical skills should compliment Trey Stross, the receiver playing opposite McNutt. McNutt's 6-4, 215-pound frame should cause mismatches with smaller defensive backs.
The Buckeyes recruit the state of Florida hard, especially Miami. Jamaal Berry will have to share carries with other talented tailbacks for the Buckeyes, but his vision and speed will be too much to for the talented true freshman to sit on the sidelines. Berry is capable of blasting through the hole en route to a long gainer, or taking what the defense gives him and moving the chains.
And your Big 10 Freshman of the Year: Edwin Baker, true freshman tailback from Oak Park, Mich. Yes, the Spartans have a handful of talented backs returning. None of them, however, possess the substantial physical capabilities that Baker possesses. He spurned overtures from the likes of Florida, Georgia and Tennessee to head to East Lansing. Get ready to see his 5-10, 205-pound frame take on the gauntlet that is the Big 10 schedule and not miss a beat.
