Depending on one's age, thinking back to memorable performances by true freshmen could span back to Maurice Clarett or perhaps Ted Ginn Jr. Clarett rumbled for 154 total yards and a touchdown in 2002 while Ginn set Ohio Stadium ablaze with his 82-yard punt return touchdown against the No. 7 Wolverines in 2004.
This year's version will feature a new crop of true freshmen who could each be a force in the rivalry for years to come.
For the Buckeyes, Michael Jordan has been a constant force all season along the offensive line. The 6-foot-7, 310-pounder enrolled early and earned the starting spot at left guard thanks to his strong play throughout the spring and summer. As a high school senior, the Plymouth High School (Canton, Michigan) star was recruited heavily by the Buckeyes, Spartans, and Wolverines.
Jordan flanked by Pat Elflein and Jamarco Jones.
The offensive line has seen its share of criticism this season, but overall the true freshman has performed admirably in the trenches. Could he ultimately slide over to tackle? It's a possibility, but for now he has found his home along the interior portion of the line.
Nick Bosa was the headliner for Ohio State's fourth-ranked 2016 recruiting haul. The lone five-star signee was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in November of 2015, but he was still expected to see playing time in his first season in Columbus.
Despite a wealth of depth at defensive end, Bosa has still managed to see the field quite regularly, especially when Ohio State implements its 'Rushmen' package on obvious passing downs. Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, and Jalyn Holmes have seen the bulk of the playing time at defensive end, but the package allows for Holmes to slide inside while Hubbard and Lewis man the defensive end spots. Joining Holmes on the inside is the true freshman from Fort Lauderdale.
Bosa has recorded 23 total tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, and 4 sacks so far this season. During the 2013 season, his brother Joey – then a true freshman himself – collected 42 total tackles and 7.5 sacks .
On the other side of the ball, Jim Harbaugh has utilized a number of true freshmen, but three newcomers have really seen their roles expand throughout the season.
The Michigan ground game currently checks in at No. 21 in the nation, and the offense has done a great job of spreading the wealth. Chris Evans, a speedy true freshman from Indianapolis, has burst onto the scene and trails only senior De'Veon Smith when it comes to rushing yards.
Evans has tallied 547 yard and three scores on the season and leads the team with a 7.4 yards per carry average. As a high school senior, he fluctuated back and forth between three- and four-star status and waited patiently for a Buckeye offer to come. That offer came a month before February's signing day, but it wasn't enough to sway the Wolverine commit.
Back in October, it was announced that starting left tackle Grant Newsome suffered a knee injury that would sideline him for the remainder of the season. The injury caused for some reshuffling along the line which now has the Wolverines in a bit of a similar situation as their rivals.
At 6-foot-5 and 307 pounds, Ben Bredeson was the nation's No. 5 offensive tackle for the class of 2016. The former Arrowhead High School (Hartland, Wisconsin) star opened the season as the team's sixth offensive lineman. Like the aforementioned Michael Jordan, the former tackle has now moved inside and is playing a prominent role on the interior line.
Ben Bredeson is an impact freshman. He talked to us about adjusting to the college game and more.
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) November 9, 2016
Im feeling great out there."#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/HjswFi6y12
It was a productive signing day for Jim Harbaugh and Co. as the Wolverines managed to land the top-rated player in the entire country. New Jersey's Rashan Gary (Paramus Catholic) made the call for Michigan over Alabama, Clemson, and pretty much every other program in America.
The Wolverine defense is especially loaded up front and in the secondary, but that hasn't stopped Gary from seeing playing time this season. He's currently listed as the backup to Chris Wormley's defensive end spot but certainly has the ability to move all over the line. He's recorded 23 total tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, and one sack so far in his young career.
