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Potential Breakout Freshman Spring Edition: Big Ten
© Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Potential Breakout Freshman Spring Edition: Big Ten

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports  |  By JC Nevils  |  Last updated Mar 25, 2025 7:27 AM ET

By JC Nevils

The weather is transitioning to warmth again. Along with that comes spring football. Everyone now gets a glance at their favorite team’s roster and potential to win games. That also comes with early enrollees, whom can now take the field. Here I name my top Big Ten freshman who will make their names known coming out of spring ball.

1. Quincy Porter, WR - Ohio State

The big-bodied wideout out of Bergen Catholic stands out for various reasons. To begin with, he towers over cornerbacks with his size at 6-3, 200 lbs., but his game matches as well. Not only is he shifty, but he can surprisingly separate with the best of them. The Buckeyes are already set with their starters, trotting out stud Jeremiah Smith along with Carnell Tate, but with Brian Hartline’s tutelage he can definitely emerge.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Quincy Porter (11) runs during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 17, 2025.© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2. Douglas Utu, OT - Oregon

The former Tennessee commit can do it all in the trenches. He played a lot of guard during his high school career, but moved out to tackle this past season and excelled there as well. He was a four-year starter for one of the nation's top programs in Bishop Gorman. He has the feet, bend and strength along with the IQ to make his name known immediately.

3. Andrew Marsh, WR - Michigan

To simply put it, Michigan’s pass game last season was basically nonexistent. They had a down year for the most part, but if it weren’t for the run game it would have been even worse. In comes a spark with big-time playmaker Andrew Marsh. With his ability to blow by defenders as well as being an outstanding leaper, I expect him to flash early and often.

4. Alex Graham, S - USC

With Lincoln Riley at the helm, the defense has been his Achilles' heel for as long as I can remember, even going back to Oklahoma. While I expect his offense to shine per usual, he also brought in some reinforcements on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the backend. One of those being Detroit’s finest Alex Graham out of Cass Tech. He brings the grit that you need on that side of the ball as well as being a playmaker. With his track background, he can also be a force in the return game. I expect some improvement on that side of the ball with Graham being a part of that equation.

5. Andrew Olesh, TE - Penn State

Penn State has long been known to churn out some of the best tight ends in the conference. NFL prospect Tyler Warren broke the school record for touchdowns at the position and won the John Mackey Award as the best tight end in the country. Now it’s time to reload and James Franklin brought in talented youngster Andrew Olesh. He enrolled early, which gives him first dibs on showing what he can do, and I think he’ll do quite well. While he isn’t the biggest at the moment, he can certainly be used primarily in the pass game with his abnormal speed at the position. He simply gets open and makes plays.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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