Big Ten Preview: Impact Newcomers

January 4, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Christian Hackenberg (1) is the top impact newcomer in the Big Ten preview. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The SaturdayBlitz.com Big Ten preview turns its attention to conference newcomers who could have profound impact on the 2013 season.

From Braxton Miller at Ohio State, to Russell Wilson at Wisconsin, the Big Ten has recent precedent for newcomers standing out.

1. Christian Hackenberg, Penn State

Five-star quarterback prospect Christian Hackenberg arrives in Happy Valley with much fanfare, and with good reason. Head coach Bill O’Brien has already proven his quarterback coaching acumen with the outstanding play of Matt McGloin a season ago. Give O’Brien a five-star like Hackenberg, and the sky is the limit.

Hackenberg’s signing with the NCAA-sanctioned Nittany Lions is also a symbolic victory for the program during its rebuilding. He will be a fourth-year player when Penn State is eligible for its first bowl game, and possibly in his fourth year starting.

Athlon Sports’ preseason preview magazine tabs Hackenberg to emerge from the Lions’ quarterback competition with Tyler Ferguson.

2. Derrick Green, Michigan

Michigan’s five-star running back recruit gives offensive coordinator Al Borges options at the running back position. Last season, option quarterback Denard Robinson was moved to running back when Fitz Toussaint was injured.

Toussaint returns, though MLive.com reports the veteran is in competition with Green for the feature back job. Even if Green does not beat out Toussaint for top honors, precedent proves that Borges’ system is most effective with a multifaceted ground game. His offense at Auburn in 2004 featured back Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown.

3. Damion Terry, Michigan State

Andrew Maxwell struggled in his first season replacing Kirk Cousins. If Maxwell’s woes continue, ballyhooed recruit Damion Terry will be waiting in the wings. A four-star prospect out of Erie, Pa., Terry might be already pressing Maxwell for the position. From The Detroit News, head coach Mark Dantonio alluded to Terry being in the mix come preseason camp:

"“We’re gonna play the best player,” Dantonio said Wednesday. “Whether you’re a senior, whether you’re a redshirt freshman, whether you’re a true freshman or whether you’re a walk-on you’re gonna have equal opportunity. If you’re the better player, you will play.”While Dantonio likely would prefer to redshirt Terry, he was asked if an outstanding fall camp could change that.“Yeah,” he answered."

4. Mike Mitchell, Ohio State

Mitchell may well be the latest edition in Ohio State’s celebrated linebacker history. The five-star recruit will compete for starting duties at one of the Buckeyes’ outside linebacker spots.

5. Vonn Bell, Ohio State

Urban Meyer scored a major coup when he inked this five-star defensive back prospect out of SEC country. Bell is celebrated for his play-making ability, as outlined in this profile at Landgrant Holy Land.

6. Berkley Edwards, Minnesota

Edwards is a lightning-quick athlete who could function in a variety of capacities for the Golden Gophers, a la Venric Mark at Northwestern. Edwards runs a sub-4.4 40 and won Michigan state track championships earlier this month. He has similar size to Chad Spann, who flourished under Jerry Kill at Northern Illinois.

Edwards could emerge as a standout receiver in his debut campaign, much like De’Anthony Thomas for Oregon in 2011. After all, Edwards has receiving chops in his DNA; he’s the brother of former Michigan star Braylon Edwards.

7. Vince Biegel, Wisconsin

Labeling Biegel a newcomer to the Big Ten Conference is a bit of a misnomer. The Badger linebacker played in two games last season, but a foot injury forced him into a redshirt. OK, so Biegel is not exactly a newcomer, but he is considered a freshman.

After an outstanding spring, Biegel is also on pace to be an impact player on the Wisconsin defense.

8. Jonathan Rose, Nebraska

The addition of this Auburn transfer to the Cornhusker secondary gives it impressive depth. Rose joins a unit already largely responsible for ranking fourth nationally against the pass. He was a four-star recruit coming out of Leeds (Ala.), and earned “blue chip” designation from Rivals.com for his size — he stands 6-foot-2 — and ball-play skills. Add that ability to the already prolifically turnover-creating Husker secondary, and opponents will struggle to throw on this defense.

9. Marcus Baugh, Ohio State

The departure of Jake Stoneburner leaves a big void in the Ohio State passing game this four-star West Coast prospect can help fill. Baugh caught for over 600 yards at Riverside (Calif.) J.W. North last season.

The tight end has great size more akin to a possession receiver at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds.

10. Malik Rucker, Iowa

The talented defensive back out of Minnesota told SaturdayBlitz.com he is “not afraid of anybody in run support or coverage,” an attribute that could make the true freshman an instant impact player in the Hawkeye secondary.

11. Kyle Queiro, Northwestern

Pat Fitzgerald’s signing of Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic wide receiver is a huge recruiting win for two reasons: first is that at 6-foot-3 with 4.5-second 40-yard speed, Queiro boasts an impressive blend of size and speed. He could emerge as an immediate target in the wide-open Northwestern spread offense.

The second win Queiro’s signing marks for NU is his brother Cameron, a linebacker, is a verbal commit for 2014.