Getting to Know 10 College Football Players Stepping in for Injured Stars

The college football season has just begun and already there are many key players that have been sidelined due to injuries. While many of these players will eventually see the field again, nearly all of them will miss some time due to various injuries.

This means that backups will have to fill in the role of these key players, taking on a much bigger role than expected early on in the year. And while fans patiently wait for the star player to recover, it is important to know who the backup is and what he is capable of doing.

Here is an introduction to 10 players that will be replacing starters early on this season.

Dee Hart, RB, Alabama

Replacing: Jalston Fowler

Despite Jalston Fowler being listed third on the Alabama depth chart, he was the second-leading rusher for the Crimson Tide with 85 yards on just 11 carries. But due to a knee injury, the junior running back is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

That moves Dee Hart up the depth chart behind Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon, as the freshman will likely receive more carries. He was a 4-star recruit from the 2011 class, but ended up missing the entire season last year due to a torn ACL.

Hart is a speedy back, who has terrific vision of the field and can help out in the passing game as well. So far this season, he has 12 carries for 31 yards, receiving the majority of his playing time in the season opener against Michigan.

Alabama has a deep backfield already and Hart is more than capable of adding to that.

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

Replacing: Rex Burkhead

Running back Rex Burkhead is one of the top backs in the country, but has had a minor setback with a knee injury. He missed the game against the UCLA Bruins and is questionable this week, as the Cornhuskers take on Arkansas State.

Ameer Abdullah is a smaller back at 5'9", 185 pounds, but is a shifty player who is hard to wrap up. He is a quick player that is capable of breaking off the big plays and can also help in the receiving game. He didn't play much last season, but was a solid contributor on special teams, averaging 29.3 yards on kickoffs.

Abdullah is averaging 6.5 yards per carry this season and already has 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Brandon Allen, QB, Arkansas

Replacing: Tyler Wilson 

Tyler Wilson is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the country, but was hurt in the upset against Louisiana-Monroe. He also remains questionable in the huge match-up against the No. 1 rated Alabama Crimson Tide.  

In comes redshirt freshman Brandon Allen, who saw playing time in the game against the Warhawks. Allen is a good athlete at 6'3", 212 pounds, as he has good mobility and can make plays with his legs. He also has a strong arm and has above average accuracy and was considered a 3-star recruit coming out of the 2011 class.

Allen only completed 37 percent of his passes against Louisiana-Monroe, and playing a defensive juggernaut such as Alabama could result in an ugly performance if Wilson cannot go.

A.J. Jordan, WR, Wisconsin

Replacing: Jared Abbrederis

Jared Abbrederis remains questionable for the game against Utah State, as he left last week's game with a chest injury. He was the leading receiver last season for the Badgers, hauling in 55 receptions for 933 yards and eight touchdowns.

A.J. Jordan is listed as the backup to Abbrederis. He was a redshirt last season and has yet to make a catch in his short Wisconsin career.

The thing that Badger fans should like about him is the fact that he has good size at 6'0", 180 pounds and is capable of getting down field in a hurry. He has above average jumping ability and is a solid blocker for such a young player.

If Abbrederis can't go, expect Jordan to make his first impact for this program this week.

Mack Brown, RB, Florida

Replacing: Mike Gillislee

Florida was struggling to find playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and running back Mike Gillislee has stepped up in a big way for the Gators. He has 231 rushing yards and four touchdowns in just two games and his first year as a starter. The bad news is that he has a groin injury that could slow him down for a bit.

If Gillislee does end up missing time this week, Mack Brown will likely be the one to step up. He was a highly recruited player from the 2010 class due to his acceleration and breakaway speed. He isn't a huge back at 5'11", 214 pounds, but does have that big play potential that the Florida coaching staff has been looking for.

But despite Brown being such a highly recruited player, he only has 94 rushing yards on 25 carries throughout his career.

Alex Wood, K, USC

Replacing: Andre Heidari

Kickers usually aren't considered star players, but when you make 15 of 17 field goals, and all 50 of your extra points like Andre Heidari did, we can make a few exceptions. The bad news for the USC Trojans is that he will end up missing three weeks with an injury to his knee.

This news means that walk-on Alex Wood is going to replace the Groza Award semifinalist. Wood has yet to attempt an actual field goal at the collegiate level, but did drill nine of 11 field goal attempts as a senior in college, including a 51-yard attempt. He also handled kickoff duties, as 50 of his 71 attempts went for touchbacks.

Wood made all six of his extra point attempts in the victory over Syracuse, but the coaching staff went for it on fourth down rather than let the freshman attempt an actual field goal.

Nick Cody, LG, Oregon

Replacing: Carson York

Carson York is the most experienced offensive lineman for the Oregon Ducks and was expected to return from a serious knee injury that he suffered in last year's BCS Rose Bowl. Instead, he will miss the entire year, as he has suffered a setback and will have to go under the knife once again.

Nick Cody is the guy who will continue to fill York's role, as he has spent the first two games at the left guard position. He started every game last season at right tackle, as he is known as a physical player, who is capable of playing multiple positions on the offensive line. He has great size at 6'5", 310 pounds and is a tough-nosed player that the coaching staff can rely on.

Losing York is devastating news, as finding a solid offensive lineman is hard to do, but Cody is an experienced and talented player for the Ducks.

Avery Patterson, S, Oregon

Replacing: John Boyett

Oregon suffered another injury, as safety John Boyett will also miss the remainder of the year with a season-ending injury. Boyett led the Ducks last season in tackles and was a member of the second-team All-Pac12.

Replacing the safety will be Avery Patterson, who was fifth on the team in tackles last season and broke up five passes. He is a better fit for the cornerback position due to his lack of size at 5'10", but he is extremely fast and has a nose for the football.

Patterson has done a terrific job of making plays for the Ducks the last two seasons and will continue that trend in his new starting role.

Dylan Thompson, QB, South Carolina

Replacing: Connor Shaw

Quarterback Connor Shaw missed the game against East Carolina and remains questionable for this week's matchup against UAB. He suffered a shoulder injury in the first game of the season against Vanderbilt.

This means that Dylan Thompson will likely remain the starter, as he led the Gamecocks to victory last week with three touchdown passes. Thompson isn't as mobile as Shaw is, so the offense has changed a little bit with him in the lineup. But he is bigger at 6'3", 212 pounds and has more arm strength.

Thompson still has to work on his touch and accuracy, but you would think South Carolina could handle another week without its starting quarterback against a team such as UAB.

Josh Dworaczyk, LT, LSU

Replacing: Chris Faulk

LSU lost one of the top offensive linemen in the country in Chris Faulk, due to a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the year.

Good thing for LSU, Josh Dworaczyk was granted a sixth year of eligibility, which means he will slide over and hold down the left tackle position. He did not play at all last season due to a knee injury, but did have 26 starts under his belt at the left guard position.

Dworaczyk started his first game at left tackle last week and the Tigers managed to rush for 242 yards and allowed zero sacks.

Losing Faulk is of course a bummer to LSU, but with the depth to this unit, it is something the Tigers should be able to overcome.