About 81,000 Ohio State fans were caught by surprise as freshman wide receiver Michael Thomas was torching an experienced secondary during the spring game last April, leaving many patrons thumbing through programs while feverishly trying to match a name with the number.

Although he wasn’t among the program’s most celebrated 2012 recruits, the early enrollee from Los Angeles snagged 12 passes for 131 yards — just two catches off the Buckeyes’ individual high for all of last season. And some of his teammates left the field with their mouths agape, too.

“People were expecting him to be a good player, but I don’t think they were expecting him to be a great player right away,” senior fullback Zach Boren said. “Coming in as a freshman and just learning the system, I honestly believe he blew people away.

“I think he’s built on it this offseason, and hopefully he can keep that up going into the fall because we definitely need a wide receiver to step up. We need that badly. We need a couple wide receivers to step up. With him putting pressure on the older guys, it’s going to make everyone better.”

All Big Ten teams will be counting on their veterans, of course, to do most of the heavy lifting this season, but they’re also hoping to find an impact player among their newcomers — and Thomas could be just that for the Buckeyes.

Although he caught 86 passes for a state-leading 1,656 yards as a senior in high school in 2010, he was rated as only the 98th-best receiver nationally by Scout.com.
A nephew of former NFL No. 1 pick Keyshawn Johnson, the 6-foot-2, 193-pound Thomas enrolled at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia last fall and joined OSU in time for spring practice.

His willingness to put in extra work beyond the NCAA maximum 20 hours per week of team obligations has made a favorable impression on coach Urban Meyer.
“He’s a grinder. He’s a guy who came in from day one and is in the same category as John (Simon, an All-American defensive end) — probably not in work ethic yet, but as far as time spent on becoming a good player. I love that. I’m into those kinds of guys,” said Meyer, who doesn’t allow freshmen to talk to the media.

“You can’t become a great player spending 20 hours a week in major-college football. That’s the limitations unless you go above and beyond yourself. He’s an above-and-beyond guy. I love that about him, and you can see his improvement.”

While no one can accurately project which newcomers will end up being difference-makers, some incoming players in the Big Ten appear more poised for breakout years than others based on their status as highly ranked recruits or because of a glaring need at their positions.

Northwestern is hoping for instant production from defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, a former Centerville High School star who spurned an offer from the home-state Buckeyes. The 6-4, 210-pound true freshman has a rare combination of speed and strength and cracked the ESPN.com list of top-150 national recruits at No. 51.

“Ifeadi is a tremendous young man. That’s been the report back (from summer workouts). Very inquisitive. Wants to have as much information as he can so he can do the right thing — not some of the time, but all of the time,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said.

“I’m really excited to work with him. ... He can do a lot of things. He can play linebacker. He can rush the passer. Now, let’s see how he picks up the system. Let’s see what it’s like when he tries to go around (Wildcats left tackle) Pat Ward and Pat gets a little Big Ten, O-line nasty on him and runs him into the pile at camp. But based on what I’ve seen on tape, he’s got a chance to come in and compete.”

Other Big Ten teams also have potential impact newcomers.

Illinois: Redshirt freshman Josh Ferguson, who is listed as a starter, is considered a three-down running back, capable of catching passes out of the backfield and slithering through the slightest of holes.

Indiana: Jacarri Alexander, who attended Iowa Central Community College, is listed as a starter at weak-side linebacker after an impressive spring and could help one of the worst rush defenses in the nation. The 6-1, 230-pound junior also had offers from Kansas State and Pitt.

Iowa: Although technically not a newcomer, sophomore running back Damon Bullock could be thrust into a pivotal role after the Hawkeyes booted projected starter De’Andre Johnson from the team following a pair of police incidents. Marcus Coker, the Big Ten’s second-leading rusher last season, also left the team because of a disciplinary issue, and back-up Jordan Canzeri is out for the year with a torn ACL. Bullock rushed for 20 yards last season and also dabbled some at receiver.

Michigan: The Wolverines are set at defensive tackle, but heralded recruit Ondre Pipkins (6-3, 325) will be hard to keep out of the playing mix. He was rated the 14th-best prospect overall and third best DT by Rivals.com and had offers from virtually every top program in the nation.

Michigan State: Receiver Aaron Burbridge was ranked as the top recruit in Michigan for 2012 and passed up offers from Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame to play for the Spartans. His ability to stretch the field will be an asset for a team that isn’t overflowing with athleticism.

Minnesota: JUCO transfer James Gillum is listed as the starter at running back after showing up in time for spring practice. The 5-11, 204-pound New Orleans native topped the 1,000-yard mark last season for Mississippi State Gulf Coast.

Nebraska: Cornerback Mohammed Seisay, listed as a starter, was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 8 junior college prospect in the nation. He actually played at Memphis in 2010 and made the Conference USA all-freshmen team.

Purdue: The 6-foot-7, 325-pound Devin Smith, a projected starter at right guard, is the team’s top recruit, rated as the 39th-best junior college prospect by Rivals.com.
Penn State: The Nittany Lions are sorely in need of running back help after star Silas Redd transferred to Southern Cal, and true freshman Akeel Lynch, a 6-0, 195-pound native Canadian was named the Gatorade player of the year in New York last season after rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 25 TDs.

Wisconsin: The Badgers aren’t expecting a Russell Wilson-type year from quarterback Danny O’Brien, but the formula of taking a transferring graduate student and making him the starter certainly paid off last season. The 6-3, 215-pound O’Brien was the ACC’s offensive player of the year in 2010 before struggling last season when the Terps shifted to a spread attack.