20 Most Irreplaceable Players in College Football This Season

Many “almost” great seasons in the history of college football have fallen short primarily due to the unexpected loss of a key player.

Recent examples of this unpleasant turn of events are South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore’s torn ACL in October of 2011, Houston QB Case Keenum’s ACL injury in the Cougars’ third game of 2010 and Baylor QB Robert Griffin III’s torn ACL early in the 2009 season.

The following slideshow attempts to pinpoint 20 players that are irreplaceable to a college squad that is primed to make a run at a special season in 2012.

Since football is a full-on team sport that takes 11 participants firing on all cylinders to win, it is not always simple to identify who a team cannot live without.

That said, some players and positions are more difficult to fill than others, which is the case for each of the 20 athletes listed in our star studded revue.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Heisman frontrunner and media darling Matt Barkley is more than just a dream whipped up by an overzealous SID with great contacts.

Barkley went 308/446 (69.1 percent) in 2011 including 3,528 yards, 39 TDs and only 7 picks for a QB rating of 161.2 (No. 8 in the nation).

Yes, there is a fine layer of solid hardwood beneath Barkley’s thick varnish and therefore, if he were to go out unexpectedly, the Men of Troy could be in a world of hurt.

Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

The defending national champs were No. 16 in rushing yards in 2011 and No. 69 in passing yards. Though QB AJ McCarron will absolutely be a factor in 2012, it is really the running game that may make or break Alabama’s 2012 offensive season.

Gone is Trent Richardson, who was responsible for 1,679 yards of the Tide’s 2,788 rushing yards, leaving the ball firmly in the hands of Eddie Lacy who reeled off 674 yards last season as the No. 2 guy.

Lacy will be as key a guy as any on the field for Alabama next season, and like all the other gentlemen on this list, if he goes down, it will leave a gaping hole (even with a program as talent saturated as the Crimson Tide).

Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Say what you want to about Blake Bell, the husky back-up in Norman, but if the Sooners were to lose senior QB Landry Jones at any point in the season, they would lose leadership, experience and the guy who threw for 4,463 yards and 29 TDs in 2011.

Oklahoma was No. 50 on the ground and No. 5 through the air last season, making the passing game, and therefore Jones, ultra important if the Sooners are to make a run in 2012.

Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State

Though you could make a really solid case for QB EJ Manuel being on this list, Florida State must run the ball more effectively in 2012 than they did in 2011.

The Seminoles ranked a dismal No. 104 nationally last season in rushing yards, and their lack of offensive diversity cost them in losses to Oklahoma (they rushed for 27 yards total) and Clemson (they rushed for 29 yards).

This all leads to last season’s leading rusher, Devonta Freeman (579 yards and eight TDs on 120 carries) being a very crucial guy going into 2012.

Freeman, or another back, or a combination thereof must consistently produce ground yardage to compliment the Nole’s decent passing game and stellar defense that looks primed for success.

 

Jordan Hall, RB, Ohio State

Even though the Buckeyes won’t be eligible for the 2012-13 postseason, they will be eligible to win 12 bona fide college football games.

With the young QB Braxton Miller still a work in progress and the No. 2 rusher—Miller was No. 1 from last season—Dan Herron, off to the NFL, Jordan Hall will take on the huge responsibility of running the pill for Ohio State.

Though there are likely to be many changes in the Bucks offensive look from last season, Hall is listed as the starting RB for a team that ranked No. 27 in rushing yards and an appalling No. 115 in passing yards.

Urban Meyer seems primed to change the dance genre in the Midwest for coming years, but for 2012 he will have to, at least to a certain extent,"dance with who brung him."

Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas

Texas is one of those teams that is lurking somewhere beneath the glare of national headlines and huge expectations. They are also one of those teams that has talent stockpiled to a degree that they are always dangerous and potentially explosive.

If the Longhorns suddenly end their two year hiatus from dominance, expect Malcolm Brown to be a huge part of the success story and subsequently a dark horse for the Heisman short list.

Texas struggled to throw the ball in 2011 (No. 86 nationally in yardage) but managed a No. 21 ranking in rushing yards—an achievement fueled in large part by Brown’s 742 yards and five TDs as a freshman.

Lots of folks will be debating the Ash vs. McCoy decision, but that doesn’t mean that the most irreplaceable player on the field for Texas in 2012 will line up under center.

Stephan Taylor, RB, Stanford

The moment Andrew Luck packed his valise and headed east for the NFL, Stephan Taylor became the most crucial offensive skill player at Stanford.

Taylor eclipsed 1,000 yards each of his last two seasons and represents one of the few points of continuity from the now defunct era of Luck.

Whichever youngster the singular Cardinal selects as its new starting QB, the entire squad will look to Taylor to provide precious yards and leadership to keep Stanford at the top of the charts.

And this all reiterates that losing Taylor would be huge blow.

Mike Taylor, LB, Wisconsin

Though RB Montee Ball is obviously a crucial guy for Wisconsin in 2012 (especially given the turnover at QB) as he has got James White as a very capable back-up plan making the idea of losing him seem at least less catastrophic.

Another major component of the Badgers 11-win season in 2011, and therefore a key to double-digits moving forward, is a defense that ranked No. 13 nationally in scoring.

And one of the leaders of the Wisconsin D last season was LB Mike Taylor who racked up 150 total tackles (60 solo) to earn the No. 3 spot in the country in take downs.

Taylor also recorded two picks, nine tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries and two sacks on his way to being named Wisconsin’s team MVP in 2011.

In a season chock full of personnel turnover for the Badgers, Taylor’s continued production and health will be vital in 2012.

Jon Bostic, LB, Florida

The fact that Florida’s offense sputtered monumentally in 2011 combined with the very un-Gator like 7-6 finish, somewhat takes the shine off an impressive defensive performance.

Florida’s defense finished last season ranked No. 20 in scoring, No. 40 against the run and No. 6 vs. the pass foreshadowing good things to come for the “other” side of the ball in Gainesville.

Though LB Jelani Jenkins could easily make this list, incoming senior LB Jon Bostic is probably the guy Florida needs the most to take care of business in 2012.

Bostic led the team with 94 tackles and then tacked on 10 tackles for a loss and three sacks in 2011—making his senior season seem beyond promising.

Bostic also brings leadership to the table which may be crucial to a team that needs their defense to continue to step it up until the offense can catch up to it.

The Gators are very Texas-esque in a scary way—if Florida puts all that talent together in a winning combination, watch out SEC and watch out BCS.

 

De’Anthony Thomas/Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon

With both LaMichael James and Darron Thomas off to the NFL, Oregon’s offensive firepower has left the building.

James and Thomas combined for 61 percent of the Ducks yard production last season and were also responsible for 63 percent of the TDs scored in Oregon’s Rose Bowl championship run.

Even though Thomas’ unanticipated exit was a blow, Oregon is by and large a running team, ranking No. 5 nationally last season in rushing yards while grabbing the No. 68 slot in passing yards.

Either as a combination package or with one headlining the other, De’Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner will be expected to tote the load for the Ducks.

This is a pressure that will be made more intense with only 13 returning starters in 2012, including only six to a defense that ranked No. 88 against the pass.

One of these guys going down during the season may not spell disaster, but with a new QB and a bunch of personnel turnover you’ve got to figure that losing either, especially Thomas, would be more painful than in more fruitful years.

 

Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

This one is fairly obvious.  Robinson was personally responsible for approximately 60 percent of Michigan’s offensive yardage output in 2011, and either threw or ran for 68 percent of the Wolverines 53 total offensive TDs last season.

You can say what you want to about Robinson’s inconsistency and question his role as a true passer, but this is likely the guy who will have the most impact on Michigan’s run for a Big Ten title in 2012.

If the Wolverines can reach double-digit wins, look for Robinson to be on the Heisman short list. But, if he gets hurt, look for all individual and team bets to be off the table.

 

Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

Losing Knile Davis’ and his 1,300 yards last season hurt badly, but at the end of the day Arkansas still went 11-2 without Davis and only lost to the two teams that went on to play for the national championship.

In the meantime, the Hogs’ No. 15 ranked scoring offense was fueled by a No. 13 ranked passing offense and a No. 81 ranked rushing offense making, Tyler Wilson the guy who the Razorbacks need the most in the upcoming campaign.

Wilson went 277/438 last season for 3,638 yards, 24 TDs and only six picks, but perhaps the most valuable stat is one that is almost impossible to track.

Wilson may well provide the stability and leadership Arkansas desperately needs with Bobby Petrino out of the picture and the Hogs in a position to make a run.

And this fact makes Tyler Wilson a very valuable commodity indeed.

 

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

Last seasons' No. 6 nationally ranked Mountaineer pass offense was led by Geno Smith who was a sizzling 346/526 for 4,385 yards, 31 TDs and only seven picks.

Smith will be absolutely critical in 2012 as West Virginia continues to spread it out under now second year head coach Dana Holgorsen and moves into the pass happy Big 12.

It is a very good time for the Mountaineers to have an experienced leader under center, and therefore it would be a very bad time to be forced to replace him.

Michael Ford/Spencer Ware, RB, LSU

LSU’s single dimension offense was No. 22 nationally in rushing yards and No. 106 in passing yards in 2011. 

Even though a bunch of virtual ink will be used to discuss whether QB Zach Mettenberger can get the Tigers back to the title game, this is a team that won with the run last season.

Michael Ford and Spencer Ware combined for 1,463 yards in 2011, which was more than 50 percent of the Tigers total production on the ground and close to 30 percent of the team’s total offensive yards.

If healthy, the duo is likely to make a huge difference in LSU’s win total in 2012. If either or both go out, things could get very tricky on the Bayou.

 

Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

Though you could easily make an argument for QB Aaron Murray being the Bulldogs “can’t lose” guy, Georgia’s defense is what really propelled them to a 10 win 2011, and may be what finally gets them over the hump in 2012.

Georgia’s D was ranked No. 23 in scoring, No. 11 against the run and No. 10 against the pass last season. With nine returning defensive starters, the Bulldogs could be Alabama-esque on that side of the ball this coming season.  

OLB Jarvis Jones had 13.5 sacks last season (as a sophomore) which earned him the No. 2 spot nationally, though it is hard to say that if he is out, all bets are off.

Georgia needs him to stay healthy and productive if they really are destined to become a serious contender in the national championship conference of America (NCCA, or SEC for short).

 

Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska

Though Nebraska is undoubtedly a program with a huge national following, Rex Burkhead seems to go somewhat unnoticed in the national media.

Burkhead has been one of the top three rushers at Nebraska since 2009 and his 1,357 yards in 2011 made him the No. 1 back in Lincoln and the No. 16 guy in the nation.

And remember, the Huskers are a run-centric team (No. 15 nationally in rushing yards and yikes, No. 104 in passing yards) and Burkhead’s yards account for 48 percent of the team’s total rushing output and 27 percent of the total offense.

Really, it is a bit of a jolt that Burkhead’s name doesn’t appear more prominently on Heisman watch lists but expect that to change if the Cornhuskers go double digits in 2012.

Burkhead is a guy that needs to stay healthy for Nebraska to be a factor in the Big Ten Legends and beyond.

Cierre Wood, RB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame is another program in the throes of a QB controversy but again, that does not mean that their gunslinger is the most irreplaceable player on the field coming into next season.

Cierre Wood ran for 1,102 as a junior to become the Irish’s No. 1 back in 2011. Notre Dame will need a full dose of his services if they are to be successful at managing what is a minefield of a schedule in 2012.

Regardless of who starts under center for the Golden Domers, they will have to be able to run the ball if they want to win, and will be looking to Wood who has the potential to quietly lay down the foundations of a winning campaign.

Or, if he goes down, he could be an underplayed reason why the Irish didn’t make it to the BCS, again.

 

Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State

You would be hard pressed to find a guy who is more individually valuable to his team than is Kansas State’s senior QB Collin Klein.

In 2011, Klein went 161/281 for 1,918 yards and 13 TDs through the air, and then led the team in rushing with 1,141 yards and a mind numbing 27 TDs.

Klein’s 27 rushing TDs tied him for second, nationally, among all backs which means only one running back in the nation—Wisconsin’s Montee Ball—scored more times on the ground.

Perhaps the most impressive stat of all from Klein’s 2011 tour de force is the Wildcats 10-3 record and their second place finish in the Big 12 (ahead of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas A&M).

Klein is a rather un-glossy Heisman hopeful who, if he repeats or exceeds what he did last year, could be in New York City this coming December when the hardware is handed out.

If K-State loses Klein during the season words like catastrophic, calamitous and cataclysmic would not be considered overstatements.

 

 

Logan Thomas, QB, Virgina Tech

With RB David Wilson packing up his skills for the NFL, the burden of offensive proof at Virginia Tech falls squarely on the shoulders of the very capable QB Logan Thomas.

Thomas was 234/391 for 3,013 yards, 19 TDs and 10 picks last season, and then ran for an additional 469 yards and 11 TDs.

If Virginia Tech wants to capture their sixth ACC Coastal crown in the past eight tries then they will need Thomas to be all in.

Denicos Allen, LB, Michigan State

The loss of QB Kirk Cousins and all but four starters on the offense may make another double-digit win season in East Lansing look improbable, but don’t forget that Michigan State was a defensive, not offensive, powerhouse last season.

Sparty’s dominant behavior in 2011 was fueled by and large by a D that ranked No. 10 nationally in scoring, No. 9 against the run and No. 11 against the pass.

Yes, these are Michigan State’s numbers… not LSU’s.

And who was the number two tackler on the squad and who led the team in sacks and tackles for a loss?

That would be LB Denicos Allen who as a first year starting sophomore amassed 83 tackles (43 solo), 18.5 tackles for a loss (No. 15 nationally) and 11 sacks (No. 6 nationally) in 2011. 

Though there are no doubt a bunch of more glamorous teams and players to follow in 2012 than Michigan State and strong side LB Denicos Allen, few guys will mean more to a team than he will.

And, now that we have opened up that can of worms, only a few teams in the nation can claim back-to-back 11 win seasons in a BCS conference… but Michigan State can.