10 Big Ten true freshmen positioned to be factors in 2023

Every year with true freshmen, there are highly-rated players who step in and make an instant impact as well as lower-rated recruits who exceed expectations and end up being immediate factors.

It will be no different this year.

On3 is taking a conference-by-conference look at true freshmen set to make noteworthy contributions this season. We’ve already identified some from the ACC. Today, we shift to the Big Ten. 

Based on intel from team sources, here are 10 Big Ten true freshmen in position to be factors in 2023 (listed alphabetically by school).

Indiana DB Jordan Shaw

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star, No. 60 cornerback, No. 587 overall prospect

Shaw committed to Colorado before the hiring of Deion Sanders but ended up flipping his commitment to Indiana.

The cornerback impressed during Hoosiers spring practice. Like another freshman defensive back, safety Amare Farrell, Shaw got some first-team reps during the spring.

Both seem to be factors in the competition for playing time in the Hoosiers’ secondary.

Michigan State LB Jordan Hall

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 21 linebacker, No. 194 overall prospect

Hall was the third-highest ranked player in Michigan State’s 2023 class behind top-70 EDGE Bai Jobe and fellow four-star EDGE Andrew DePaepe.

In high school, Hall was a three-year team captain at national power IMG Academy. Word is that he got off to a strong start at Michigan State this spring.

“You can tell he comes from a good background, great family, great school with IMG and things like that,” Michigan State linebacker Aaron Brule said during the spring. “He almost knows the defense already. As a freshman, I didn’t know the defense where I was at previously. I could not learn the defense as fast as he can. He’s very vocal. … I think he’ll be really good for us.”

Running back Jaelon Barbarin is a Michigan State freshman on offense that’s garnered positive feedback and that could maybe end up contributing for the Spartans this season.

Minnesota RB Darius Taylor

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 24 running back, No. 365 overall prospect

The Mo Ibrahim era at Minnesota is over. The Golden Gophers also lost backup running back Trey Potts to Penn State.

That gives Taylor a chance to be an immediate factor at running back to go along with others like Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler.

Taylor, a Michigan native, stuck with Minnesota and signed with the Golden Gophers despite a late push from Jim Harbaugh and his home state Wolverines. 

A Minnesota source described the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Taylor to On3 as having “good patience” and being “very smooth.”

Nebraska WR Malachi Coleman

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 10 wide receiver, No. 60 overall prospect

Even aside from the physical talent, Coleman continues to impress the Nebraska staff with his approach and what’s been described to On3 as a “tremendous work ethic.”

There’s plenty of physical ability, too. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Coleman posted a 10.4 100-meter dash time in high school. 

The combination of work ethic and physical traits has the Cornhuskers believing they could get immediate help from the local product.

Ohio State DB Malik Hartford

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 11 safety, No. 132 overall prospect

While there are others from Ohio State’s 2023 class who were higher rated and who have the ability to be impact players a year or so from now (someone like wide receiver Carnell Tate for example), Hartford seems to maybe have the best chance of the Buckeyes freshman class to make a noteworthy contribution as a freshman.

Word is that the 6-foot-2 Hartford has already put on about 20 pounds since high school and is now around or above 190 pounds. Among the things that have stood out through the early part of his time with the Buckeyes are that he’s “smart” and “willing to hit.”

Penn State DB King Mack, LB Tony Rojas

Where they ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Mack — Four-star, No. 8 safety, No. 93 overall prospect; Rojas — Four-star, No. 8 linebacker, No. 92 overall prospect

Penn State has two of the top linebackers in the Big Ten, Curtis Jacobs and Abdul Carter, and Rojas is a talented first-year player that the Nittany Lions staff is excited about.

Rojas has put on more than 20 pounds since enrolling at Penn State while maintaining his speed. He capped a strong spring with a game-high nine tackles during the Nittany Lions’ spring game.

As for Mack, Penn State has four or so non-freshman safeties that the staff believes are starting-caliber talents, but it’s also possible Mack could end up being a factor on special teams and as a returner.

Mack was a team captain for Florida power St. Thomas Aquinas the last two years and was also a Florida State champion in track in five different events.

Penn State views him as a safety who “can cover a lot of ground with bad intentions” and as someone who “will help and play a lot of special teams also.”

Purdue DB Dillon Thieneman, OLB Will Heldt

Where they ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Heldt — Three-star, No. 61 EDGE, 

No. 681 overall prospect; Thieneman — Three-star, No. 90 safety, No. 964 overall prospect

The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Heldt is viewed at Purdue as a good fit for new head coach Ryan Walters’ scheme on defense. 

He’s been described to On3 as “very long and athletic” and as someone stature-wise that “doesn’t look like a freshman.”

“I think his potential is limitless,” Walters said during the spring.

Thieneman, who has two older brothers who played at Purdue, was another freshman standout for the Boilermakers this spring.

“Dylan Thieneman has been incredible on the back end,” Purdue defensive coordinator Kevin Kane said during the spring. “He might be one of our bigger surprises of the spring.”

Rutgers WR Famah Toure

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star, No. 123 wide receiver, No. 875 overall prospect

A different Toure, senior linebacker Mohamed Toure, has already been a top contributor for Rutgers in recent years. Soon, his brother might be one, too.

“He’ll be an absolute stud,” a Rutgers source told On3.

There’s plenty of opportunity for him, too. The Scarlet Knights lost their top three wide receivers from last season.