Big Ten freshmen to watch in 2026: Ohio State, Michigan lead loaded class of first-year players
Every season, there's a collection of true freshmen in the Big Ten who immediately change the conversation. Some are forced into action by opportunity. Others are simply too talented to stay off the field. Heading into the 2026 campaign, sources across the conference believe this freshman class has several players capable of making an immediate impact on teams with championship aspirations and College Football Playoff expectations.
Michigan's loaded haul features a couple of instant contributors, while Ohio State welcomes another wave of blue-chip talent expected to push for meaningful snaps right away. USC's first-year offensive personnel has generated buzz with a potential mismatch weapon, and several freshmen at Oregon, Washington and Penn State have quietly impressed coaches during offseason workouts.
The Big Ten's depth has never been stronger, but elite talent has a way of accelerating development. From future stars in the trenches to explosive skill-position playmakers, these freshmen aren't waiting for their turn.
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Based on conversations around the league, these are the newcomers with the best chance to become household names before the 2026 season is over:
Legend Bey, RB, Ohio State
It takes a lot to have a comparative physique to Jeremiah Smith, but Bey's already almost there as a freshman. He's added noticeable muscle in his first few months on campus following a body transformation, a credit to Buckeyes strength and conditioning coach Mick Marotti, and looks like a player who could have a role in his first season behind Bo Jackson and Isaiah West in the backfield. When you're labeled as a "poor man's Tyreek Hill" by your head coach, that's high praise. Coaches got an extended look at the former Tennessee commit during the spring due to a rushing attack marred by injuries, and Bey made the most of his chance in the spotlight.
Mark Bowman, TE, USC
When you sign college football's No. 1 class, there's bound to be a few freshmen amped to move up the two-deep. And it didn't take long for Bowman, as an early enrollee, to flash as a definite target in the 2026 passing game. The former five-star recruit has strong hands and runs routes much like former first-round tight end Brock Bowers out of Georgia. He's almost identical in size to Bowers at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and delivers a punch when asked to block, but his top strength is his athletic ability and his ability to pull down receptions with defenders around him.
Titan Davis, DL, Michigan
Michigan's defense under Kyle Whittingham is built on versatility, physicality and players who can diagnose quickly before attacking downhill. That's exactly why this freshman interior defensive lineman is such a natural fit. One of the most instinctive bullies in this 2026 class for the Wolverines, Davis has the frame, athleticism and football IQ to contribute earlier than most freshmen, especially from a rotational sense. However, being a summer enrollee may alter that timeline a bit. The Wolverines won't need him to be a star immediately, but his blend of toughness and athletic upside could earn him meaningful snaps in Year 1 playing behind Trey Pierce and Enow Etta inside. Long-term, Davis has all the tools to become one of Michigan's most impactful defenders and a cornerstone of Whittingham's defensive identity.
Zion Elee, EDGE, Maryland
The Baltimore Metro's Player of the Year as a senior at St. Frances Academy, Elee was the No. 10 player nationally this cycle and ranks as one of the highest-rated signees in school history for Maryland. He committed back in December 2024 and believes in what Mike Locksley and staff are selling, despite the program falling on hard times in consecutive seasons. Elee hopes to be part of the turnaround in 2026 as a headliner within the Terrapins' pass rush. Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino will rely on several young players to be impactful, with none more important than Elee off the edge.
Kodi Greene, OT, Washington
The Huskies' not-so-hidden weapon on the left side of the offensive line, Greene assumed a starring role this spring at the tackle position and reportedly took every snap with the starters since his arrival. Greene's a traditionalist in the sense that he brings his lunch pail to practice every day and goes to work as one of the linchpins of Washington's effort at the line of scrimmage. There's heightened pressure that comes with being a true freshman difference-maker, but Greene doesn't feel any of it as of now.
"Kodi Greene's done some impressive things out here," offensive line coach Michael Switzer said during spring camp. "He's talented in terms of his athleticism and his ability to play the game of football, but what I'd say is most impressive is what he's doing in the film room, how he's understanding defenses, how he's communicating with the offensive line. He's taken it very serious since the day he got here, and it's showing; he's doing some nice things."
Nick Hankins, CB, Illinois
Illinois quietly signed a top-25 class in the country, its highest-ranked class in almost two decades, with this in-state cornerback as the headliner. Hankins has the clearest path of five four-star signees to an early role after shining during spring practice despite the Illini returning All-Big Ten nickel Xavier Scott, All-Big Ten cornerback Juice Clarke and adding top-ranked JUCO cornerback Jakwon Morris. Hankins already has a frame that's built to last in the Big Ten with top-end athleticism and ability. This is what attracted the Illinois coaching staff to Hankins as a player and potential immediate contributor. Look for Hankins to appear in the return game early and perhaps find a spot in the two-deep at the back end, given his play during spring ball.
Kendre Harrison, TE, Oregon
There are at least a half-dozen first-year freshmen expected to play for the Ducks this season, but few hold a loftier recruiting grade than Harrison, last year's Gatorade State Player of the Year in North Carolina. Oregon lacks experience at the position behind expected starter Jamari Johnson following Kenyon Sadiq's NFL entry, and Harrison, a former two-sport star, brings impressive ability. As part of Oregon's offensive transition following Will Stein's departure to Kentucky as head coach, Harrison, along with others, learned what changes were being made schematically. With Dante Moore in charge, this passing game will still look like Oregon with subtle differences. Harrison is a plug-and-play athlete as long as he brings physicality as a multi-dimensional threat.
Chris Henry Jr., WR, Ohio State
There are grand expectations for Henry, the cycle's second-highest-rated wideout after he was virtually uncoverable this spring in Columbus at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds. Ohio State's ridiculously talented room of pass-catchers has a void following Carnell Tate's first-round exit alongside Smith, and Henry could slide right in as a co-starter. Brandon Inniss, fellow freshman Brock Boyd and transfer Devin McCuin will have something to say about positioning for reps, too. Oregon tried to make a late push for Henry's services, but he stuck with the Buckeyes as the jewel this cycle for Ryan Day.
Savion Hiter, RB, Michigan
Ask anyone close to the Wolverines' football program and one name tends to surface before others as an immediate impact player based on early on-field returns. Hiter is exactly who Michigan expected him to be after stepping on campus as the 2026 recruiting cycle's second-highest-rated ballcarrier nationally. He's a ball of muscle at 6-foot, 210 pounds and already shows a willingness in pass protection not often seen from first-year players. Hiter has played himself into the two-deep as a combo punch of sorts with Jordan Marshall in the backfield.
Amarion Jackson, WR, Penn State
A spring riser for the Nittany Lions, Jackson's pushing to crack the rotation at wide receiver in Happy Valley ahead of Matt Campbell's first campaign. Assuming Penn State's starters are Iowa State transfers Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen and sophomore Koby Howard, Jackson hopes to crack that next tier of potential targets for new quarterback Rocco Becht, who was the Cyclones' previous starter for multiple seasons. Jackson, a three-star signee out of Omaha, Nebraska, arrived as a defensive back before quickly converting to a wideout.
Jamal Rule, RB, Nebraska
Some would say he was overlooked a bit by the elite programs during the recruiting process, but this three-star out of Charlotte, North Carolina, was identified early as a must-have for the Huskers and checked every box for coach Matt Rhule and his staff. Virginia Tech, Michigan State and Syracuse were in on Rule as well, but Nebraska won his commitment and may have grabbed an unexpected freshman starter as a result. Hoping to prove a point during spring camp, Rule showed aggression and ran hard on every rep. The expectation is that the Huskers will take a by-committee approach in the run game this season following the departure of leading rusher Emmett Johnson, and Rule should get some totes along with Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson.
Add CBS Sports on GoogleBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
