Replacements for Top Players to Declare Early for NFL Draft

Both Ohio State and Oregon preached a "next man up" philosophy in their runs to the national title game, with backups stepping right in to replace injured or suspended players. It's a luxury that only a select few teams are able to afford in the middle of a season.

Regardless of the cost, though, it's something that nearly all of them have to splurge on during the offseason. And the price goes up when it's to replace an unexpected departure.

Now, the deadline has passed for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft, with many stars leaving behind a giant hole of production and dependability for their former teams to fill.

Every school figures to have had a contingency plan in place for such early exits, but now that it's become a reality, they'll have to see if the replacements can get the job done.

Here's a look at the most likely successor to some of the top college players who have declared for the NFL draft, along with other potential replacements if the first in line can't cut it.

Kenny Bigelow, DT, USC

Replacement for: Leonard Williams

After redshirting in 2013 to provide depth, Kenny Bigelow was on pace to be a big part of USC's defensive line this past season. But then a freak injury during a voluntary non-contact drill in July knocked the massive tackle out for the year.

Assuming his torn ACL is fully healed in time for spring practice, the 6'3", 310-pound Bigelow figures to get every opportunity to battle for Williams' spot.

In truth, USC probably isn't expecting just one person to replace the production lost by the departure of Williams, who in 2014 had seven sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and 80 tackles while splitting time as an end and an interior lineman.

The Trojans will hope for a balanced effort along its line, with fifth-year seniors Delvon Simmons and Cody Temple both back for another year as starters. If Bigelow can't cut it, there is a long line of potential stars waiting for an opportunity.

Other candidates

Jacob Daniel (HS), Malik Dorton (Fr.), Don Hill (Fr.), Noah Jefferson (HS), Claude Pelon (Sr.), Christian Rector (HS), Greg Townsend Jr. (Sr.)

Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

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Replacement for: Todd Gurley

Most players who have to step in for departed superstars only get limited reps before taking over the job full-time. Nick Chubb got a head start on his time as Georgia's No. 1 running back, essentially moving into the role midway through the 2014 season when Gurley was suspended four games by the NCAA.

Then, when Gurley was injured in his first game back and lost for the year, Chubb took over the job for good. Not that this was a hard decision for the Bulldogs.

Chubb ended up with 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns, the yardage total tied for fourth-best in school history, despite few carries in the first five games. The 5'10", 228-pound true freshman gained 100 or more yards in each of his eight starts, breaking out for 266 yards and three TDs in Georgia's romp over Louisville in the Belk Bowl.

Gurley declared for the draft prior to that game, but it was already clear that Chubb would be the guy next season.

"Looking ahead to 2015, it's fair to wonder how much the Bulldogs will really miss Gurley," Bleacher Report's Ben Kercheval wrote.

Other candidates

Brendan Douglas (So.), Isaiah McKenzie (Fr.), Sony Michel (Fr.)

Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin

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Replacement for: Melvin Gordon

Wisconsin loses one of the most prolific running backs in FBS history, a man who (briefly) held the single-game yardage record and was close to setting the season mark in 2014. Those are big shoes for Corey Clement to fill, but it's not like he'll be going into 2015 blindly.

Clement ran for 949 yards last year as a sophomore, which ranked eighth in the Big Ten, with nine touchdowns on just 147 carries. Gordon (343 carries, 2,587 yards, 29 TDs) got the lion's share of the work, but the Badgers often turned to the 5'11", 210-pound Clement for a change of pace or when Gordon needed a breather.

The same was the case in 2013, when as a freshman he ran for 547 yards and scored seven times in relief of Gordon and James White.

Last season, Clement had four 100-yard games despite never carrying the ball more than 17 times in a game. Though Wisconsin's offensive line has to replace some veterans, odds are new coach Paul Chryst—previously the Badgers offensive coordinator—will still look to Clement to be his go-to runner.

"'I've been looking ahead to this since the summer," Clement told Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "I've been ready since last year."

Other candidates

Taiwan Deal (Fr.), Dare Ogunbowale (So.), Jordan Stevenson (HS)

Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

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Replacement for: Shane Ray

It's going to be a very different defense for Missouri in 2015, not just on the field but on the sidelines.

Ray and fellow defensive end Markus Golden, a senior, are moving on, while defensive coordinator Dave Steckel took the head coach job at Missouri State and safeties coach Alex Grinch took a coordinator position with Washington State.

Replacing Ray is priority No. 1, though, after he recorded 13 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss.

Charles Harris will get the first crack, though it could be a defensive-end-by-committee approach with the Tigers replacing both starting spots. As a redshirt freshman this past season, the 6'3", 235-pound Harris backed up Ray and had two sacks, four tackles for loss, 19 tackles, two pass break-ups and a forced fumble.

Other candidates

Rickey Hatley (So.), Marcus Loud (Fr.)

Jeff Lockie, QB, Oregon

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Replacement for: Marcus Mariota

After taking a hard hit from Ohio State's Joey Bosa on a rollout, Mariota had to briefly leave Monday's national championship game for Oregon. It was only for one play midway through the third quarter, but with Mariota making the expected jump to the pros a few days later, it signified a changing of the guard at quarterback.

Jeff Lockie's pass on 2nd-and-26 to Keanon Lowe was incomplete, but it still counts as title-game experience for the man who has the first shot at replacing Oregon's Heisman winner.

A redshirt sophomore in 2014, the 6'2", 200-pound Lockie saw action in 10 games last season as Mariota's backup. He completed 21-of-28 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown, which came in the season opener against South Dakota when he was 11-of-12 for 113 yards.

Lockie was Mariota's backup in 2013 as well, so he's had the most reps in the offense. He'll have some challengers from blue-chip recruits whom Oregon has landed in the 2014 and 2015 recruiting classes, but in the spring, it will be his job to lose.

Other candidates

Ty Griffin (Fr.), Morgan Mahalak (Fr.), Travis Waller (HS)

Sean Maguire, QB, Florida State

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Replacement for: Jameis Winston

While Ohio State's quarterback battle will end up being the most headline-producing of the offseason, that's one where it looks like the school can do no wrong.

Not the case at Florida State, where six players with a combined 70 college pass attempts are vying to replace one of the most polarizing players in recent college football history.

All of that experience is held by Sean Maguire, who took over as Winston's backup in 2014 after being third string behind the Heisman Trophy winner and Jake Coker, who ended up transferring to Alabama.

The 6'3", 215-pound Maguire only appeared in four games last season, but that included a very high-profile start. With Winston suspended because of off-field antics, Maguire stepped in against a Clemson team that would go on to lead the nation in total defense.

He threw for 304 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions on 21-of-39 passing, and while there was a lot he could do better, he in no way stunk up the joint.

But Maguire's hold on the job will be a tenuous one. FSU has three quarterbacks coming in the 2015 class, along with ones from 2013 and 2014 who are ready to get their shot.

Other candidates

J.J. Cosentino (Fr.), Deondre Francois (HS), John Franklin III (Fr.), De'Andre Johnson (HS), Kai Locksley (HS)

Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Replacement for: Brett Hundley

The last time UCLA brought in a big-name quarterback, he had to wait a year to get into the game. Josh Rosen doesn't figure to have to sit around as long, as he's in line to start the Bruins' 2015 opener against Virginia.

The 5-star recruit, rated by 247Sports as the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2015 class and the nation's second-best pro-style quarterback, has already enrolled at UCLA.

At 6'4" and 205 pounds, Rosen already has the size to play the position, and with a full offseason to get acclimated to the Bruins' system, there's little standing in his way from being the starter from the opening kickoff.

"Josh Rosen is going to be a Heisman Trophy finalist at some point in his career, and you'll see flashes of that as a starting quarterback at UCLA in 2015," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee said in a video previewing potential impact freshman quarterbacks next season.

Other candidates

Jerry Neuheisel (So.), Asiantii Woulard (So.)

ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama

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Replacement for: Amari Cooper

It's not just Cooper whom Alabama has to replace from its receiving corps, as seniors DeAndrew White and Christion Jones are also moving on. But Cooper is by far the biggest void that needs filling, after the junior accounted for 124 receptions, 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns.

It figures to be a wide-open race for his spot as the No. 1 wideout, with five or six players fighting for the job. ArDarius Stewart got his audition late last season and looked good before a minor knee injury shut him down.

"I made big plays when I could and I believe I got the trust of the coaches," Stewart told Michael Casagrande of AL.com.

The 6'0", 193-pound Stewart caught 12 passes for 149 yards in 2014 as a redshirt freshman. He had three catches for 63 yards in an early-season win over Florida Atlantic, then broke through with five catches for 51 yards in the mid-November win over Western Carolina.

He tweaked his knee in that game, too, and didn't make a reception in the remaining three Alabama contests.

Other candidates

Chris Black (So.)., Robert Foster (So.), Cameron Ridley (HS), Cam Sims (Fr.)

Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.