Our series of debates on the Big Ten's best ends with a fun category -- the freshmen. We've left this open to redshirts and true freshmen. So who's going to break out as a rookie in 2015?

Josh Moyer: Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers

Let's forget about all the hype surrounding Peppers for a moment. Forget how he was compared to Heisman winner Charles Woodson while he was still in high school, or how he was ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the nation, or how he could've played for any school in the country.

Forget all that. Because, even without it, the defensive back is still the best freshman in the Big Ten.

He's that rare freshman who's actually already seen game time, as he competed in three games in 2014 before taking a medical redshirt. During his lone punt return, he gained just six yards -- but made three defenders miss before he finally went down. He impressed then-coach Brady Hoke so much that Hoke once said he could've started for the Wolverines at nickel, regular corner or safety -- and, again, that's as a true freshman.

He can run a 40-yard dash in the 4.4s. He broke the New Jersey state record in the 200-meter dash (20.79 seconds). He once had a tooth pulled before a workout and fought the trainers to practice. He's quick, physical, smart, competitive, intense, instinctive -- and pretty much any other positive adjective you can think of. He can be a transformative athlete for the Wolverines.

Just this week, the Lincoln Journal Star ranked him as the No. 23 overall player in the conference while Cleveland.com ranked him at No. 22, one spot ahead of Ohio State safety Vonn Bell. While I don't agree with that ranking, since I argued Bell as the top defensive back in the Big Ten, it certainly speaks to Peppers' skill set and potential.

But, hey, we can forget about what all those other media outlets had to say, too. Let's go straight to the source: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. The hard-to-please coach labeled Peppers' spring an A-plus and added, "You start to fall in love with guys like that."

Something tells me he's already won over Michigan alumni. But fans of good football should also fall in love with Peppers this season. He's not only the conference's top freshman, he's already one of its top players.

Mitch Sherman: Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson

Way to go out on a limb, Josh. Honestly, sometimes, I feel like Peppers is the only freshman set to play in the Big Ten this season. He's good, no doubt, and looks like a sure bet to play a big role in the Michigan secondary. But there are plenty of freshmen around the league from whom much is expected.

How about Maryland offensive tackle Damian Prince or Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore, both of whom redshirted a year ago? Or the Buckeyes' Torrance Gibson, who adds to an embarrassment of offensive riches for OSU if he can avoid a redshirt. There's also running back L.J. Scott of Michigan State, ready to compete for a starting job at a premier position.

I'm not going to overthink this, though. I'll gauge the best player on his level of impact. And no position impacts the game like quarterback.

First, though, Thorson must win the job. Battling Matt Alviti and Zack Oliver, Thorson offers the highest upside in Evanston, Illinois. With good mobility, he fits the mold of successful Northwestern QBs under offensive coordinator Mick McCall.

And let's be clear, the Wildcats need improvement at the position. A year ago, Northwestern QBs threw nine touchdown passes. NU ranked 118th nationally (out of 128 Division I teams) in yards per passing attempt at 5.71. Trevor Siemian's QBR in 11 games was 43.3, 94th nationally and 13th in the Big Ten.

Northwestern must get better numbers out of its quarterback. This is not the kind of a team that can win consistently on the ground, even with talented back Justin Jackson.

Thorson, a first-team all-state QB by the Chicago Tribune in 2013 out of Wheaton North High School and MVP of the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, gives the Wildcats that chance. If he comes through and leads Northwestern back to a bowl game for the first time since 2012, he's worthy of top status among Big Ten freshmen.