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Three B1G rookies crack Pro Football Focus’ top 10 true freshmen in CFB
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It’s not bold to say that five-star recruits will make an immediate impact on a program.
The B1G’s two highest-rated 2016 recruits, Rashan Gary and Nick Bosa, have already done just that. As expected, the two freshmen defensive linemen contributed to two of college football’s best defenses.
That’s why they both cracked Pro Football Focus’ top 10 true freshmen list at No. 6 and No. 4, respectively.
But the third B1G representative wasn’t nearly as sought-after as those two recruits. Maryland’s Lorenzo Harrison, who emerged in the Terps backfield in the season’s first half, came in at No. 10 on PFF’s list.
According to PFF, the freshman tailback forced seven missed tackles in limited work the past three weeks. On the season, Harrison has 397 rushing yards on just 48 carries (8.4 YPC).
Harrison, however, has yet to face off against the B1G East freshmen ahead of him on the list.
Gary, who came in at No. 6, lived up to his No. 1-recruit billing so far. The Michigan defensive lineman has 20 tackles, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and one sack. According to PFF, he forced a quarterback hurry once every six pass-rush snaps.
RELATED: Pro Football Focus: Iowa has No. 1 offensive line in America
Bosa has similar numbers to Gary so far. In five games, Bosa has 15 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and two quarterback hurries. The former five-star defensive end is coming off arguably his best two games of his young career in which he recorded 10 quarterback pressures, according to PFF.
Neither of the B1G’s top true freshmen have played against each other yet. We’ll have to wait until November to see the young stars square off.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.