Significant pieces of every College Football Playoff contender must be replaced from top-five NFL Draft picks to Heisman finalists to First-Team All-Americans.
Some players may be impossible to replace, but it will not be because of lack of effort. Using the latest CBS Sports top 25 power rankings, we examine some of the people or units tasked with replacing the impact faces of the 2018 football season.
10. Oregon, WR Juwan Johnson — You could make an argument for new defensive coordinator Andy Avalos after the Ducks lost Jim Leavitt. But an elite quarterback like Justin Herbert needs his weapons, and it will not be easy to replace a single-season record breaker like Dillon Mitchell. Many fans hope to see Penn State’s grad transfer assume that mantle as a top target. The spring game was a step in the right direction. Mycah Pittman is certainly a freshman to watch while slot Jaylon Redd is the returning leading receiver.
9. Michigan, LB Josh Ross — One does not simply replace the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, especially one the caliber of Devin Bush. While there seem to be solid edge rushers coming up to replace other NFL talents, Bush will be the toughest to replace. Ross started in Bush’s place in the bowl game against Florida. He appears poised to take over the MIKE linebacker role after 54 tackles and 5.5 TFLs last season. Jordan Anthony has also made noise while Ross sat out spring with an injury.
“Ross is the smartest linebacker, but Jordan Anthony has excelled in his absence,” said defensive coordinator Don Brown. “He’s barely missed any time and has played well.”
8. Texas, Second Receiver — Heisman hopeful Sam Ehlinger still has a proven weapon in Collin Johnson, but counterpart Lil’Jordan Humphrey is gone after a 1,200-yard, 10-touchdown season. Humphrey lined up primarily as an H-receiver. Now vacant, Joshua Moore, Jordan Pouncey or other freshmen could enter the mix.
And time will tell when it comes to five-star Bru McCoy, his eligibility waiver and role within the team. He will make an instant impact if the waiver works out as Longhorn fans hope. After Sam Ehlinger led the Longhorns to a Sugar Bowl win, expectations are even higher.
7. Florida, Buck end Jonathan Greenard — Florida has some work to do in developing an offensive line after the departure of four starters, including both tackles. Edge rusher looks like the single-toughest role to replace from last season, however, after a farewell to Jachai Polite. Enter graduate transfer Jonathan Greenard of Louisville. He missed 2018 with a hand injury and with the coaching change at Louisville, he made the move. Greenard excelled in 2017 with 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham originally recruited Greenard to Louisville, and is now his position coach at Florida as well. Keep an eye on the likes of Andrew Chatfield, Jeremiah Moon (when healthy), early enrollee Mohamoud Diabate and prized late addition Khris Bogle, too.
6. Ohio State, QB Justin Fields — Not only did Dwayne Haskins lead Ohio State to a Big Ten Championship in his only season as a starting quarterback, but the new Washington Redskin also threw 50 touchdown passes on the way to a Heisman Trophy third-place finish. Fields is far from a sure thing to carry the full weight, but he has all of the skills and an elite group of offensive minds to get him there. After ranking as the No. 2 overall recruit behind Trevor Lawrence a year ago, Fields got his fresh start at Ohio State and a waiver to play right away. Following JT Barrett and Haskins is no easy ask.
5. LSU, LB Patrick Queen — Devin White was an absolute star for LSU at linebacker, and he will do the same at the NFL level. Now, it is Patrick Queen’s turn to take over full time. Queen saw plenty of action last season, especially against Alabama with the targeting situation. He made nine tackles in that battle with the Crimson Tide, and did the same in the Fiesta Bowl against UCF. Does Dave Aranda have another star in the making at linebacker? Time to find out.
4. Oklahoma, the offensive line
Sure, Jalen Hurts has massive shoes to fill as Oklahoma looks for a third-straight Heisman Trophy winner. Those shoes may be impossible to fill with the history we saw on the field last season. While Kyler Murray earned the majority of national hype last year, Oklahoma’s offensive line was also outrageously talented. That will be tough to replicate for the Sooners in search of another College Football Playoff berth.
“There’s bound to be an adjustment period early on in the season, but once Bill Bedenbaugh’s group gels, it’ll be a force to be reckoned with yet again,” writes OU Insider. “(Creed) Humphrey is an early All-American candidate, and he’ll be surrounded by a pair of new guards and two new tackles.”
3. Georgia, DB Tyson Campbell
Tyson Campbell has the higher expectations of the projected starting corners. He and Eric Stokes will have to be elite in lieu of Deandre Baker, who was a true star at the position. Early tests are coming with Ian Book, Jarrett Guarantano and Jake Bentley all on the first half of the schedule. He could be one of the true breakout stars in the SEC.
“Both Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell started multiple games opposite of Baker in 2019, and they are the favorites to win the two starting jobs this year,” said Dawgs247 reporter Jake Rowe. “We got a look at what that might look like in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Texas and both players held their own. Keep an eye on JUCO transfer DJ Daniel, who will push both of those players throughout preseason camp and is quite similar to Baker physically."
2. Alabama, DT DJ Dale
Alabama has weapons ready and waiting for most of its NFL departures but is Quinnen Williams really the kind of defensive force that can be replaced? We will find out soon with the expectation that DJ Dale moves into the role in some capacity. He will not have the same responsibilities as Williams, but projects to start next to Raekwon Williams for now. Dale worked with the ones by the end of camp, and the freshman should have quite the impact.
“Early enrollee D.J. Dale was the talk of spring drills after ascending to the top of the depth chart at nose tackle by the close of spring drills,” said BamaOnline Senior Analyst Travis Reier. “His jersey number and powerful build brings to mind Daron Payne, but few expected him to pass up Phidarian Mathis as quickly as Dale did — I still wouldn’t count Mathis out of the competition. They’re going to need both.”
1. Clemson, Four new DL starters
The major players are all back offensively from breakout quarterback superstar Trevor Lawrence to dynamic skill players like Travis Etienne, Justyn Ross and Tee Higgins. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney cannot say the same about his championship-winning defensive line, however. All four starters moved onto the NFL Draft as 2019 selections, highlighted by Clelin Ferrell at No. 4 overall.
Now, it comes down to a new rotation of players to pick up the slack. Clemson ranked fifth nationally in total defense last season. Plenty of excitement surrounded Xavier Thomas to rush the passer in place of Ferrell. Jordan Williams, Nyles Pinckney and Tyler Davis are all among the linemen to watch in 2019.
