Freshman to Watch: Defense

Manti Te'o
LB Notre Dame

Freshman
6'2" 244 lbs.

Week 1 vs. Nevada
2 solo tackles

This freshman linebacker didn't have the biggest impact in his first game but he is definitely going to be something special in the future. The strength and speed he has at his size is incredible. On one play he lined up at the line of scrimmage and rushed the passer, he was pushed past the passer by the OT and as the QB stepped in the pocket and took off, Te'o easily caught him from behind showing some of the most amazing burst I have seen in awhile.

Te'o is a prospect who may not see the NFL in awhile because he's said he wants to go on a two year mormon mission in 2010 which means he probably won't see himself declaring until he is about 22 or 23 (he's 18 now) but he could very well have all the essential skills needed to be a LB in the NFL, but until then he is just going to continue making plays for the a tough Fighting Irish defense.

Freshman to Watch: Offense

Denard Robinson
QB Michigan

Freshman
6'0" 174 lbs.

Week 1 vs. Western Michigan
2-4 18 yards, 11 rushes 74 yards TD

Denard Robinson was a highly touted freshman coming to play for Rich Rodriguez at Michigan and after watching him play on Saturday vs. a pretty solid Bronco team, Denard Robinson could easily be the next great Rodriguez QB following in the shoes of Pat White... only "Shoelaces" as Denard is known might be more explosive when running and might have a stronger, albeit less consistent arm.

During a broken play in the 2nd quarter on a botched QB read/run play, Robinson dropped the snap and when things broke down, he turned it up by taking the ball 43 yards while evading tackles, stopping and juking on a dime and then taking it through a safety and cornerback by accelerating through their angles.

He is definitely the future and could see himself moving into a solid role in the future, however, starting QB Tate Forcier won't give up the job willingly as he burned the WMU defense to the tune of 13-20 for 179 yards and 3 TDs.