More and more freshman are making major impacts in college football, and 2017 was another banner year for them. Many of the country's top prospects ended up in the Big Ten, and while several made major impacts - namely Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins and a pair of Northwestern players in offensive lineman Rashawn Slater and linebacker Paddy Fisher - those weren't the highest-rated freshmen that joined the Big Ten last season. Here's how the seven highest-rated Big Ten freshmen fared in 2017:
7) Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State Buckeyes
Stats: None
Davis redshirted in 2017, which isn't a huge surprise given Ohio State's depth on the offensive line. However, he is expected to compete for a starting role next season.
6) Aubrey Solomon, DT, Michigan Wolverines
Stats: 16 tackles, 2 TFL
Solomon saw some work in Michigan's defensive line rotation and saw his playing time increase in Big Ten play. However, he only had two games (Rutgers, Wisconsin) in which he recorded more than two tackles.
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5) Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State Buckeyes
Stats: None
Wade is another Ohio State player that redshirted this year due to the depth at the cornerback position. However, with the turnover the Buckeyes experience every year at the position, he'll have a big role next year.
4) Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan Wolverines
Stats: 22 catches, 227 yards, 1 punt return TD
Peoples-Jones was much more successful as a punt returner than as a receiver, making the All-Freshman team as a return specialist. He did show plenty of promise as a receiver with his size, speed, and ball skills, but Michigan's lackluster passing attack didn't help him.
3) Baron Browning, OLB, Ohio State Buckeyes
Stats: 14 tackles, 1.5 TFL
Browning only appeared in four games for the Buckeyes, and all came in blowouts against lesser opponents (Indiana, UNLV, Rutgers, Maryland). With Jerome Baker heading to the NFL, Browning - perhaps their most explosive athlete at the position - is in line for much more playing time in 2018.
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2) Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State Buckeyes
Stats: 17 tackles, 1 PD, 1 FR
While fellow freshman corner Shaun Wade redshirted, Okudah saw more playing time as the season went on and will be relied on as a starter for Ohio State next season. His best game actually came in the Cotton Bowl in which he recorded four tackles.
1) Chase Young, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes
Stats: 18 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF
Young saw the most snaps of any Ohio State defensive freshman in 2017 and earned some first-team reps. He actually recorded a sack and a half in OSU's blowout win over Michigan State and is almost guaranteed to get a starting role next season.
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