7 College Football Players That Will Fill Big Holes Next Season

In order for college football programs to sustain success every year, they have to keep the "next man up" attitude.

This means that no matter what players leave after the season ends, the next year will be fine as long as someone fills that void.

There will be a lot of question marks around the country, but a few teams should feel confident that their star players will be replaced in no time. 

These men will not only step into the starting lineup, but they should thrive in their new opportunity.

7. Zach Mettenberger, QB LSU

Zach Mettenberger has only thrown 11 passes for LSU, but he should have one of the easiest transitions into a starting role of any quarterback in the country.

Jordan Jefferson led the Tigers to an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game, but was never considered a top-level quarterback.

Next season, LSU not only returns many key players from one of the best defenses in the country, but also a great corps of running backs.

Mettenberger is expected to be a better passer than Jefferson, but he will not need to do too much with a great team around him that will not lose too many games. 

However, the new quarterback needs to be as successful as Jefferson in the win column, or risk facing tons of criticism from the passionate fanbase.

6. Cobi Hamilton, WR Arkansas

Cobi Hamilton will not only need to fill a hole left by one good player but two.

Last season, Arkansas had one of the best receiving duos in the country with seniors Joe Adams and Jarius Wright. With them gone, quarterback Tyler Wilson will need to find someone new to trust.

Hamilton can be the next star for a very talented team, as he has the size and speed that can allow him to be a top receiver in the SEC.

He might not have the elusiveness of Adams, but Hamilton has averaged almost 18 yards per catch in his career and can be a force in his senior season.

5. Wes Horton, DE USC

Next season, USC will is returning one of the most talented offenses in the country. 

However, if the team truly wants to compete for a national title, the defense will need to be just as effective. 

The Trojans lost pass-rusher Nick Perry, but Wes Horton can be the one to take his place.

Horton was second on the team with four sacks and was second-team All-Pac-12 for the 2011 season. Next year he will need to provide even more for one of the best teams in the nation.

4. Kenjon Barner, RB Oregon

Kenjon Barner is not a young player, but his senior season will be his first chance to truly shine in the Oregon backfield.

LaMichael James has been the star for the Ducks for the past three years, but Barner has been right behind him in the lightening fast offense.

The running back finished the season with 939 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, including 171 yards in a game against Arizona State during James' absence. 

He also averaged over six yards per carry in each of his three years at Oregon, showing that the Ducks will be just fine without their standout running back.

3. Andrew Maxwell, QB Michigan State

Andrew Maxwell did not get too many opportunities to show what he can do at quarterback in his first two seasons at Michigan State, but it is now his turn.

Kirk Cousins has been a solid leader for the Spartans over the past couple of years, but this is now Maxwell's team.

The new quarterback will need to take advantage of the talent that returns from a team that finished in the Top 10 of the USA Today Coaches Poll.

He should also continue the trend of smart quarterbacks at Michigan State as he has been an Academic All-Big Ten selection in each of his two seasons on campus.

2. Nick Florence, QB Baylor

It is never easy replacing a Heisman Trophy winner. It is even harder when this player has reached legendary status at his school.

That will be the case next year for Nick Florence. As a senior he will need to fill the shoes of Robert Griffin III and be the starting quarterback for Baylor.

Fortunately, Florence will not be coming in completely inexperienced.

As a freshman he had to become the starter for most of the season while Griffin was out for the year with an injury. Although he struggled, he still completed 62 percent of his passes with little help around him.

This season, Florence once again showed what he could do in a relief role. When Griffin got hurt against Texas Tech, Florence stepped in and completed 9-of-12 passes for two touchdowns and 151 yards.

While this is only a small sample size, Baylor fans should feel confident that this new level of team success will not go away quickly.

1. Eddie Lacy, RB Alabama

When Alabama lost Heisman-winner Mark Ingram to the NFL, Trent Richardson was there to take his place.

After Richardson declared for the draft, the Crimson Tide now look towards Eddie Lacy to be the next great running back for the team.

Lacy did not get too many carries this past year, but he was impressive when he did touch the ball. Through two seasons, the running back has averaged 7.2 yards per carry and 11.5 yards per reception.

Quarterback A.J. McCarron should play with more confidence next season after leading his team to a national championship, but it will help to have an elite running back behind him in Eddie Lacy.