Which College Football Teams Lost Underclassmen to the 2013 NFL Draft?

The 2013 NFL draft will have a record number of early entrants with 75 players declared to leave school early after the 2012 college football season. Thirty-eight teams lost players, and this is a look at who left and how their teams will replace them.

LSU had a mass defection of talent after the year finished, which should hurt the 2013 season. Other teams had departures that will have little to no effect on the coming season.

The mass defection of underclassmen to the pros is getting to an unprecedented level, and it leaves their home school programs lost in the shuffle as they attempt to replace top talent on the roster. Early departures are unpredictable; predicting the ripple effects of the players that leave is an easier task.

Here are the college football teams that lost players to the 2013 NFL draft. 

Tennessee Volunteers

No. of Players Lost: 4

Player(s) Breakdown

Tyler Bray (QB): 7,444 yards passing, 69 TDs, 28 INTs

Cordarrelle Patterson (WR): 46 receptions, 778 yards, 5 TDs

Justin Hunter (WR): 106 receptions, 1,812 yards, 18 TDs

Darrington Sentimore (DT): 18 total tackles, 4 sacks, 5 tackles for loss

Team Response: The Volunteers are losing three key playmakers to early departure in Tyler Bray, Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Hunter. Replacing those guys will not be easy for first-year coach Butch Jones.

The Volunteers have some talent remaining on the roster, but the key to this new staff’s success in 2013 is incoming recruit Paul Harris. Harris is a 6’4” receiver that can make an impact immediately for the Vols.

At quarterback Justin Worley will be the assumed shoe-in after he appeared in a few games last fall, but with a new coach, the competition will be open and Nathan Peterman will have a shot at the position. 

Hawaii Warriors

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Mike Edwards (CB): 3 INTs, 26 pass breakups; 40 kickoff returns for 1,215 yards, 3 TDs

Team Response: Hawaii loses a lockdown corner in Edwards, but Dee Maggitt will be able to step into the role and play well for the Warriors. He was strong in 2012, and he will be a solid replacement for the hopeful draft pick.

N.C. State Wolfpack

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

David Amerson (CB): 2012 stats—61 tackles, 5 INTs, 12 pass breakups

Team Response: N.C. State is losing a major contributor in David Amerson, but he can be replaced. The Wolfpack has Tyrell Burris waiting in the wings as a rising sophomore. He will lack the experience, but he will be ready to step in by fall. 

Georgia Bulldogs

No. of Players Lost: 3

Player(s) Breakdown

Kwame Geathers (DT): 2012 stats—40 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack

Jarvis Jones (LB): 2012 stats—85 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 1 INT

Alec Ogletree (LB): 2012 stats—111 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 INT

Team Response: The Bulldogs will face a world of change with the players that will depart in this class. Losing two of the best linebackers in the country will hurt the Bulldogs, but because of injuries to Jones in the past, there is some experience waiting in the wings.

Geathers will be missed more than either because Georgia was intent on him filling the middle of the 3-4 scheme after the departure of John Jenkins.

The Georgia defense will take a step backwards with the loss of these three key playmakers. 

Texas Longhorns

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Brandon Moore (DT): 16 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks

Team Response: Brandon Moore was a part-time starter for the Longhorns and served as a gap filler more than a playmaker for the defense. He had some impact on the season, but overall the loss is not a major problem for the Texas defense.

Eastern Washington Eagles

No. of Players Lost: 2

Player(s) Breakdown

Kyle Padron (QB): 2012 stats—2,491 passing yards, 17 TDs

Brandon Kaufman (WR): 2012 stats—93 catches for 1,850 yards, 16 TDs

Team Response: Eastern Washington will lose the two keys to the Eagles offense with the departure of Padron and Kaufman. Kaufman has been a consistent piece of the offense for three seasons, while Padron transferred in from SMU.

Without those two elite players on the field, the Eagles will struggle to find playoff wins in 2013. 

Alabama Crimson Tide

No. of Players Lost: 3

Player(s) Breakdown

Eddie Lacy (RB): 355 carries for 2,402 yards, 30 TDs

D.J. Fluker (OT)

Dee Milliner (CB): 2012 stats—54 tackles, 20 pass breakups, 2 INTs

Team Response: Alabama faces a lot of problems with the losses of Lacy, Fluker and Milliner.

Replacing Fluker will be the toughest part for this team as he marks the third offensive lineman that will leave the program after 2012.

Milliner and Lacy are both major players on offense and defense, but they will be replaced with players that are of equal talent levels immediately. The Tide is stocked in the secondary, and T.J. Yeldon is a leader at running back. 

Auburn Tigers

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Corey Lemonier (DE): 2012 stats—34 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks

Team Response: Lemonier is a highly regarded defensive end by some in this draft, but his final impact at Auburn will be one that is faded over with a 3-9 season. Lemonier couldn’t make many plays and he ended his career with less fanfare than he arrived. His replacement will be LaDarius Owens. 

North Carolina Tar Heels

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Giovani Bernard (RB): 423 carries for 2,481 yards, 25 TDs

Team Response: The Tar Heels lost a major contributor when Bernard stepped away from the program, but there are a host of backs ready to step in. Guys like A.J. Blue, Romar Morris and Travis Riley are already on campus waiting for their shot at starts in Chapel Hill. 

Oklahoma State Cowboys

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Joseph Randle (RB): 564 carries for 3,085 yards, 40 TDs

Team Response: The Oklahoma State Cowboys lose a major contributor to the offense with the departure of Randle after this year. He has been a staple in the running game for the Cowboys, providing a solid balance to the team.

Stepping in will be rising senior Jeremy Smith. 

South Carolina Gamecocks

No. of Players Lost: 2

Player(s) Breakdown

Marcus Lattimore (RB): 555 carries for 2,677 yards, 38 TDs

Ace Sanders (WR): 99 catches for 1,230 yards, 13 TDs

Team Response: South Carolina is going to lose its most productive back in school history with the departure of Marcus Lattimore. It was tough for the Gamecocks to find running room without Lattimore down the stretch, and that may continue to be an issue in 2013 as no back has the skills to be the do-it-all that Lattimore was for South Carolina.

Ace Sanders was a late edition to the early departure list, and may have been the biggest surprise of the day. Sanders has been very good in his time at South Carolina, but he was expected to return for another season and help usher in another strong year of Gamecocks football.

Sanders will be replaced by Shaq Roland in the South Carolina offense. 

Michigan State Spartans

No. of Players Lost: 3

Player(s) Breakdown

Le’Veon Bell (RB): 671 carries for 3,346 yards, 33 TDs

Dion Sims (TE): 59 catches 707 yards, 8 TDS

William Gholston (DE): 2012 stats—59 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks

Team Response: The Spartans already faced a world of issues in the Big Ten this year with suspect quarterback play, but with now losing their star running back and star defender, they will struggle in 2013.

The hope is that rising sophomore Joel Heath will be able to step in and pick up where Gholston left off.

Replacing Dion Sims will not be as detrimental as the other two, but it will still be a task.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

No. of Players Lost: 2

Player(s) Breakdown

Logan Ryan (CB): 94 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 17 pass breakups, 4 INTs

Jawan Jamison (RB): 486 carries for 1,972 yards, 13 TDs

Team Response: Rutgers will lose a major playmaker in Logan Ryan when he steps into the pros. He was a major contributor for the defense and has brought along the Rutgers defense as a leader from the secondary.

Jawan Jamison is heading into the draft early with a number of other underclassmen. The Scarlet Knights will miss his impact on the ground, but he hasn’t been a anything more than a bruiser during his time with Knights. Look for Savon Huggins to take the reins in the backfield and increase production from the position in 2013. 

Arkansas Razorbacks

No. of Players Lost: 2               

Player(s) Breakdown

Knile Davis (RB): 349 carries for 1,862 yards, 19 TDs

Alvin Bailey (OG)

Team Response: There is nothing to see here with regards to the loss of Knile Davis. After an injury ended his career at Arkansas, he was a loss to the program.

Alvin Bailey will be a major loss for the program at the line position, but the Razorbacks will be able to replace him with talent that waits in the wings. Look for the Hogs to bring a new strategy with the Bret Bielema staff—one that could change the future lineup at the line. 

LSU Tigers

No. of Players Lost: 11

Player(s) Breakdown

Chris Faulk (OT)

Sam Montgomery (DE): 37 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8 sacks

Bennie Logan (DT): 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks

Barkevious Mingo (LB): 38 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks

Kevin Minter (LB): 130 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 INT

Tharold Simon (CB): 45 total tackles, 9 pass breakups, 4 INTs

Tyrann Mathieu (CB) DNP 2012 

Eric Reid (S): 91 total tackles, 2 INTs, 7 pass break ups

Brad Wing (P)

Spencer Ware (RB): 295 carries for 1,249 yards, 10 TDs

Michael Ford (RB): 243 carries for 1,416 yards, 13 TDs

Team Response: LSU faces the largest exodus of talent in the country after this year. The Tigers lose 11 stars from this past season, and will struggle to implement replacements that will be able to breed championship results.

The losses of Spencer Ware and Michael Ford is not huge because the Tigers are stocked at that position, and Chris Faulk is coming off an injury that ended his 2012 season early.

The big losses are Barkevious Mingo, Kevin Minter, Bennie Logan and Sam Montgomery. Finding replacements for those players in the front seven will be tough, and no one currently on roster will be able to step in and fill every void.

Recruiting has to be a focus for the LSU defense. Losing these players is a huge kick to the gut for one of the most talent-rich rosters in the country. 

Nevada Wolf Pack

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Stefphon Jefferson (RB): 448 carries for 2,338 yards, 30 TDs

Team Response: The Nevada Wolf Pack has built one of the best offensive schemes in the country with the Pistol formation. It relies on the ability of the team to have a spread-option scheme and centers around strong quarterback and running back play.

The loss of Jefferson will be huge for this team, as there is no returning major contributor for 2013. Devin Combs was used sparingly last season, but he lacks the impact ability of Jefferson.

Tennessee State Tigers

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Trabis Ward (RB): 564 carries for 2,582 yards, 26 TDs; 35 receptions for 408 yards

Team Response: Trabis Ward was a major contributor for the Tigers offense over the past two seasons. Ward is making the leap to the pros before most expected he should, but he will leave behind a major hole to overcome. 

California Bears

No. of Players Lost: 2

Player(s) Breakdown

Keenan Allen (WR): 205 receptions for 2,570 yards, 17 TDs

Steve Williams (CB): 79 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 INTs

Team Response: Keenan Allen is one of the top receivers in the draft, and he will be a major missing piece in the Cal offense heading into 2013. Replacing Allen will be tough, but Cal has Chris Harper and Darius Powe waiting to step in and provide an impact.

Steve Williams was a star in the defense, but Kameron Jackson is poised to charge in for a strong junior campaign of his own in 2013. It will be a transition year for Cal with the losses, but they will be overcome with the new coaching staff and renewed recruiting efforts. 

Southern California Trojans

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Nickell Robey (CB): 52 tackles, 1 INT

Team Response: USC is losing a steady performer to the draft with the departure Robey, but he is replaceable. The Trojans have a lot of talent in the secondary, so they will be able to reload for the 2013 season.

Clemson Tigers

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

DeAndre Hopkins (WR): 205 catches for 3,009 yards, 27 TDs

Team Response: The loss of Hopkins will be big for the one-two punch receiving tandem that Clemson employed over the last two years, but it won’t do enough to cripple the offense.

The Tigers proved without Sammy Watkins early in the year that one receiver didn’t make the passing attack of Tajh Boyd and the Tigers. Hopkins will be missed, but Watkins will make Clemson fans move on quickly in 2013. 

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Da’Rick Rogers (WR): 139 receptions for 2,100 yards, 21 TDs

Team Response: Tennessee Tech picked up a huge player in Rogers when discipline issues forced him out of Knoxville after the 2011 season.

He transferred to the Golden Eagles program and was a premier player, but there is no way that the Golden Eagles will be able to replace the void left by Rogers. 

West Virginia Mountaineers

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Stedman Bailey (WR): 210 receptions for 3,218 yards, 41 TDs

Team Response: The West Virginia Mountaineers have put together one of the most prolific offenses in the country. Losing the talented Stedman Bailey is going to hurt the program, but it won’t cripple it completely.

At this point there isn’t much experience that will remain at receiver, so the Mountaineers will need to finish the 2013 recruiting class strong with athletes that are able to make plays in open space after the catch. 

Oklahoma Sooners

No. of Players Lost: 3

Player(s) Breakdown

Kenny Stills (WR): 204 receptions for 2,594 yards, 24 TDs

Tom Wort (LB): 2012 stats—53 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks

Tony Jefferson (S): 119 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 INTs, 3 pass breakups

Team Response: The Sooners are losing a ton of talent to graduation, and the hits just keep on coming with the loss of three key contributors to early draft entry.

Tony Jefferson and Tom Wort are two key defenders, but the change in defense led to Wort’s time not being as important during the last season. He was underproductive and saw less field time as a nickel scheme kept him sidelined.

Kenny Stills has been a steady contributor for the Sooners as a receiver, and he will take his talents now to the NFL. Oklahoma is loaded with talent at receiver with Trey Metoyer and Sterling Shepard, and it will hope that those two can pick up the slack left by Stills. 

TCU Horned Frogs

No. of Players Lost: 2

Player(s) Breakdown

Josh Boyce (WR): 161 receptions for 2,535 yards, 22 TDs

Stansly Maponga (DE): 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks

Team Response: TCU is losing two keys to the team’s success with the departure of Maponga and Boyce after this year. The loss of other key contributors hurts, but the departure of Boyce is the biggest loss for the Horned Frogs.

Boyce was a major contributor in the offense for a number of seasons, and with a young quarterback leading the team again next season, the Horned Frogs could use experience.

Cam White will be looked to for big yardage in the offense and will hopefully replace Boyce in the offense this coming fall. 

Washington State Cougars

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Marquess Wilson (WR): 189 catches for 3,207 yards, 23 TDs

Team Response: Marquess Wilson was a major impact player for the Washington State Cougars over the years, but a falling out with Mike Leach about possible physical and emotional abuse caused issues this season.

He will be a major stat producing loss, but the locker room may benefit for Washington State without the turmoil that was once there with Wilson’s presence. He will be replaced with a host of other contributing players in the new Mike Leach system.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

No. of Players Lost: 2

Player(s) Breakdown

Cierre Wood (RB): 450 carries for 2,447 yards, 16 TDs

Tyler Eifert (TE): 140 catches for 1,840 yards, 11 TDs

Team Response: The Notre Dame offense is trying to make a return to the top of the college football world again in 2013, but without stars Tyler Eifert and Cierre Wood to help it may be a struggle.

Both were key contributors to the offense in 2012 and will make big waves for whatever teams they land on in the NFL.

The Irish will look to George Atkinson III and Greg Bryant to help recharge the offense from the backfield and support an unsure quarterback position for the Irish.

At tight end it will be impossible to replace Eifert, but the Irish will look to Troy Niklas and Ben Koyack to provide leadership and plays in the passing game. 

Stanford Cardinal

No. of Players Lost: 3

Player(s) Breakdown

Zach Ertz (TE): 112 receptions for 1,434 yards, 15 TDs

Terrence Brown (CB): 2012 stats—66 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 INT

Levine Toilolo (TE): 50 catches for 763 yards, 10 TDs

Team Response: The Cardinal will lose three players early to the draft in 2013, but they still look strong in the Pac-12 North. To keep competitive, they have to find replacements for Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo.

They were keys in the passing game and lead blockers for the powerful rushing attack that Stanford employs.

Terrence Brown was one of the best lockdown corners in the Pac-12 so losing his skill set will hurt. Alex Carter is a leading replacement for him, but despite his talent, the experience factor will be tough to lose for the Cardinal. 

Florida Gators

No. of Players Lost: 4

Player(s) Breakdown

Matt Elam (S): 2012 stats—76 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4 INTs

Jordan Reed (TE): 79 catches for 945 yards, 6 TDs

Sharrif Floyd (DT): 2012 stats—46 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3 sacks

Jelani Jenkins (LB): 2012 stats—29 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks

Team Response: The Florida Gators are losing a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball after this year. There is a lot of talent that is on roster, but replacing players like Jelani Jenkins and Matt Elam will be tough.

Jenkins will be replaced by Antonio Morrison and Elam will be replaced by Valdez Showers. Showers will bring the heat that Elam did, but the experience will be a major missing factor in 2013.

Jordan Reed will also be a major blow to an offense that struggled to find consistency in the passing game. He was a major crutch to Jeff Driskel and helped keep the offense moving throughout the year. There is no clear-cut answer to replace Reed’s talents.

Along the defensive line Floyd will be a major loss for the Gators. Without him leading the charge and plugging holes, the run defense will be very porous next fall. 

San Diego State Aztecs

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Gavin Escobar (TE): 122 catches for 1,646 yards, 17 TDs

Team Response: San Diego State relied on Gavin Escobar to provide them with explosive plays in the passing game. As a tight end, he didn’t burn teams downfield, but he ate up yards in the short passing game.

Replacing him will be a chore for the Aztecs, but the hope is that Adam Roberts will continue to keep the ball moving through the air from the tight end position. 

Texas A&M Aggies

No. of Players Lost: 2

Player(s) Breakdown

Luke Joeckel (OL)

Damontre Moore (DE): 2012 stats—85 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks

Team Response: The Aggies will have a tough time replacing Luke Joeckel—a three-year starter along the offensive line. They will also have the chore of replacing Damontre Moore at defensive end.

They have the talent on roster to replace them, and Kevin Sumlin is recruiting hard to keep his team up to speed, but there will be a slight fall off after their departure. 

Syracuse Orange

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Justin Pugh (OL)

Team Response: The Syracuse Orange were reliant on Justin Pugh this fall to provide leadership and strength from the offensive line position. Replacing him will be tough.

Right now there is no clear-cut answer for the position. 

Florida State Seminoles

No. of Players Lost: 3

Player(s) Breakdown

Bjoern Werner (DE): 2012 stats—42 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 8 passes broken up

Menelik Watson (OT)

Xavier Rhodes (CB): 39 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 INTs

Team Response: The Florida State Seminoles are losing major defensive contributors with the losses of Werner and Rhodes. The loss of Watson is big for the line, but the offensive line is full of young and able talent.

Replacing Werner and Rhodes is the big concern. Ronald Darby is a rising star in the secondary, and he should see immediate playing time next year. He will battle Keelin Smith, Tyler Hunter and Nick Waisome for playing time. 

Colorado Buffaloes

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

David Bakhtairi (OL)

Team Response: Bakhtairi was a stud lineman for the Buffaloes in his time, and his departure is marked by bad circumstances after the terrible year that the Colorado team had on the field.

Replacing him will be nearly impossible immediately, but Marc Mustoe will be tasked with the job this spring.  

Wisconsin Badgers

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Travis Frederick (OL)

Team Response: The Wisconsin Badgers are known for their strong offensive front, and Frederick fits the mold of the traditional Badgers hogmollie.

Dan Voltz is a young center that is looking to replace Frederick, but it won’t be easy. Voltz has zero experience at the position, and the ground game is a staple for the Badgers. Watching that battle go on this spring will be the key to how this offense will progress into the fall. 

Utah Utes

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Joe Kruger (DE): 2012 stats—30 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 1 INT

Team Response: Joe Kruger was a major player for the Utah defense contributing in nearly every game since his arrival. Trevor Reilly will be his likely successor. Reilly will be a rising senior in 2013. 

Ohio State Buckeyes

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Johnathan Hankins (DT): 2012 stats—55 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack

Team Response: The Buckeyes' defense was one of the main keys to this season’s 12-0 run and Hankins was a big part of it. He was a gap-filling run-stopper that plowed through the Big Ten.

Rising stars Adolphus Washington and Tommy Schutt will hope to provide the same type of stopping power that Hankins brought to the table last season for the Buckeyes. 

Missouri Tigers

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Sheldon Richardson (DT): 2012 stats—75 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks

Team Response: The Missouri Tigers moved into the SEC and faced a really tough transition. Having Richardson help them along was big, but now he will depart and the Tigers will struggle against the power running teams in the SEC.

Replacing him will be Lucas Vincent and Marvin Foster with the hope the tandem can make the second year in the SEC better for Missouri. 

Illinois Fighting Illini

No. of Players Lost: 1

Player(s) Breakdown

Akeem Spence (DT): 2012 stats—72 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack

Team Response: Akeem Spence was expected to have a major impact on the Illini’s season this past fall but he faltered from the starting gate. His impact was not that big this year, but it will still be a chore to replace a player of his stature.

Jake Howe is expected to take over in his place. 

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