Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, November 27, 2012

The freshmen are the future, right? With that, it?s time to unveil BTN.com?s 2012 Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

There were many deserving players. It was difficult to leave guys like Northwestern superback Dan Vitale, Illinois linebacker Mike Svetina, Nebraska running back Imani Cross and Indiana guard Dan Feeney, along with Purdue guard Robert Kugler, Penn State tight end Jesse James, Michigan State fullback Lawrence Thomas, Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld, Iowa defensive tackle Darian Cooper, Indiana running back Tevin Coleman and Purdue receiver Dolapo Mcarthy.

[RELATED: 2012 All-Big Ten Teams | BTN.com's All-Big Ten picks]

Still, this is a star-studded group of youngsters with a bright future. Check it out.

2012 BIG TEN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Offense
WR Aaron Burbridge, Michigan State
TE Devin Funchess, Michigan
TE Kyle Carter, Penn State*
L (T) Jason Spriggs, Indiana
L (G) Austin Blythe, Iowa*
L (C/G) Jack Allen, Michigan State*
L (G) Ted Karras, Illinois*
L (T) Josh Campion, Minnesota*
QB Joel Stave, Wisconsin*
RB Josh Ferguson, Illinois*
RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin*

Defense
L (E) Deion Barnes, Penn State*
L (E) Noah Spence, Ohio State
L (T) Adolphus Washington, Ohio State
L (E) Zack Shaw, Indiana*
LB David Santos, Nebraska
LB Joe Bolden, Michigan
LB Mason Monheim, Illinois
LB James Ross, Michigan
DB (CB) Frankie Williams, Purdue*
DB (S) R.J. Williamson, Michigan State*
DB (CB) Nick VanHoose, Northwestern*

Specialists
K Taylor Zalewski, Illinois*
P Drew Meyer, Wisconsin*
KR Dennis Norfleet, Michigan
PR Andre Sims Jr., Michigan State*

* — Denotes redshirt

About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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