Replacements for Top 50 Players on Bleacher Report's 2015 NFL Draft Big Board
The "next man up" mantra got a lot of miles this past season in college football, with teams like Ohio State and Oregon showing off their depth by being able to replace injured starters without skipping a beat.
Now comes the tougher task: finding full-time successors for some of the game's biggest stars.
Using Bleacher Report's NFL Draft Big Board as a guide, we've picked out the most likely replacements for the 50 best outgoing players. In some cases, these choices were already a key part of their team's equation in 2014, but for most this upcoming season will be their first chance to step into a significant role.
Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
1 of 50
Replacement for: T.J. Yeldon (No. 50)
The depth chart had Yeldon down as Alabama's starting tailback, but in actuality it was a two-headed monster working out of the backfield. And Derrick Henry was actually the more productive rusher, leading the Crimson Tide with 990 yards (to 974 for Yeldon) as a sophomore on fewer carries. Both scored 11 touchdowns on the ground.
The 6'3", 241-pound Henry is a far more physical runner than the speedy, shifty Yeldon was. This enabled Alabama to mix it up when going to the run game, as defenses keyed on working the edges to shut down Yeldon would then have to suddenly deal with Henry bashing through the line.
Because he's been eased into the role over the past two years, Henry already has a strong foundation to build off of. And he should be fresh, too, having yet to carry the ball more than 20 times in a single game heading into 2015.
Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin
2 of 50
Replacement for: Melvin Gordon (No. 49)
What is Wisconsin losing with the NFL early entry of Gordon? Oh nothing, just a player who (briefly) held the FBS single-game rushing record and who ended up producing the second-best season on the ground in history.
No pressure, Corey Clement.
Odds are Clement isn't phased by the challenge, and he's had time to prepare himself for it both mentally and physically. With running backs often going pro as juniors, Clement went into 2014 knowing he was getting groomed to step in for Gordon next year, and that showed in how he ran when given the chance.
The 5'11", 217-pounder ran for 949 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore, adding 14 receptions for 119 yards and two scores. He had 547 rushing yards and seven TDs as a freshman.
"Gordon will be missed, but Clement should ensure Wisconsin's ground attack doesn't miss a beat," wrote Steve Lassan of Athlon Sports (h/t Fox Sports).
Raphael Kirby, LB, Miami (Florida)
3 of 50
Replacement for: Denzel Perryman (No. 48)
Perryman started 37 games over four seasons for Miami, patrolling the middle and laying out dozens of ball carriers along the way. Raphael Kirby is a former understudy who now should get first crack at succeeding Perryman at the position.
The 6'1", 238-pound Kirby started all 13 games last season as a junior, but did so at outside linebacker due to depth issues. He had 54 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes.
"Kirby should shift back inside since that's where he'd played before dismissals forced Al Golden's hand," Bleacher Report's David Kenyon wrote.
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Kenny Young, LB, UCLA
4 of 50
Replacement for: Eric Kendricks (No. 47)
With the departure of Kendricks, UCLA has to replace its overwhelming tackle leader—he had 145 last season, compared to 87 for team runner-up Myles Jack—and the co-leader in tackles for loss with 11.5. The Bruins have had further shakeups at the position, with defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich leaving to take a job with the Atlanta Falcons.
Whoever becomes the new coordinator and takes over the linebacker duties figures to look to another part-time starter to replace Kendricks' production, as Kenny Young had a solid true freshman campaign in 2014.
The 6'1", 230-pound Young came on strong as the season played out, finishing with 35 tackles. He worked with Kendricks a lot this past year, and figures to be the best option to succeed him in the middle of UCLA's defense.
"I don't think it's stepping into anyone's shoes," Young told Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times. "It's about developing what I came here to do."
Joseph Yearby, RB, Miami (Florida)
5 of 50
Replacement for: Duke Johnson (No. 46)
Johnson came back from a horrific injury in 2013 to become Miami's all-time rushing and all-purpose yardage leader, so it wasn't a surprise that he went pro after his junior season. The Hurricanes were prepared for this, splitting second-level carries between a pair of running backs who they would look to make the featured rusher in 2015.
Joseph Yearby showed the most promise, rushing for 509 yards on just 86 carries as a freshman. He only scored once, compared to the six rushing TDs put in by sophomore Gus Edwards, but the 5'9", 192-pound Yearby fits better in situations where power isn't as necessary and speed is.
Yearby looked great in the open field, as well as when turning the corner, with great footwork that will come in handy as Miami works to rebuild its line.
Tashawn Bower, DE, LSU
6 of 50
Replacement for: Danielle Hunter (No. 45)
Hunter continued LSU's string of juniors leaving early for the NFL, joining cornerback Jalen Collins and linebacker Kwon Alexander in that department after the 2014. Combined with the graduation of fellow defensive end Jermauria Rasco, the Tigers need immediate help on the edge of their defensive line.
As a sophomore, Tashawn Bower played in every game but didn't produce much in terms of stats. Filling in for both Hunter and Rasco, he had 16 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
The 6'5", 243-pound Bower should be one of the players to benefit the most from LSU's hiring of veteran defensive coach Ed Orgeron to handle the line.
Donovan Munger DT, Ohio State
7 of 50
Replacement for: Michael Bennett (No. 44)
Ohio State's defensive line kept getting better and better each week during its national title run in 2014, and Bennett was a big part of that development. His departure will be a key issue to address in the offseason, as the Buckeyes didn't give too much playing time to backups on the interior.
Donovan Munger saw action in 10 games as a redshirt freshman, finishing with five tackles and one tackle for loss. He's one of a handful of candidates to replace Bennett, but a lot will depend on if he's able to keep progressing.
The 6'4", 300-pound Munger didn't play or practice in 2013 after blood clots were found in his lungs. He continued to condition his body, according to Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch, enabling him to be in shape for his involvement this past season.
Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
8 of 50
Replacement for: Tevin Coleman (No. 43)
Indiana couldn't manage to get to .500 on the season despite having a running back go for more than 2,000 yards. How do the Hoosiers expect to improve in 2015 without Coleman?
Simple: land a major impact transfer, compliments of another FBS program folding its tent despite having a strong season and beginning to stockpile talent.
UAB's loss is Indiana's gain, as after the school shuttered its football team in December it meant all players with eligibility could go elsewhere without having to sit out. Jordan Howard weighed his options and picked the Hoosiers, where he figures to build off of the 1,587 yards and 13 touchdowns he had as a sophomore.
The 6'1", 228-pound Howard got most of that yardage against Conference USA opponents, but he also ran for more than 80 yards apiece in games against SEC schools Arkansas and Mississippi State.
Juju Smith, WR, USC
9 of 50
Replacement for: Nelson Agholor (No. 42)
USC was by no means a one-man show in the receiving department last season, as six players had at least 20 receptions. But Agholor's 104 catches, 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns were more than any two other Trojans, making his early departure a huge hole that needs to be filled.
It makes the most sense to expect that Juju Smith, who as a true freshman emerged as USC's second-best receiving option, would ascend to the top spot.
Last year Smith caught 54 passes for 724 yards and five touchdowns. He had a great debut, with a career-best 123 yards against Fresno, and had at least three receptions in 12 of 13 games.
At 6'2" and 210 pounds, Smith is a big target that Cody Kessler figures to shoot for quite frequently this season.
Sammy Douglas, LB, TCU
10 of 50
Replacement for: Paul Dawson (No. 41)
After notching 227 tackles of the past two seasons, Dawson is leaving a large hole in TCU's defense. As the strong-side linebacker, he handled most of the toughest assignments from that unit, a job that Sammy Douglas figures to be in line to take over in 2015.
Douglas played in every game last year as a sophomore, registering 17 tackles with one sack. He has to make great strides this offseason to ensure he can come close to matching what Dawson was able to do, but the 6'3", 205-pound Arlington native appears headed in the right direction.
K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
11 of 50Replacement for: Devin Smith (No. 40)
Smith was not a starter for Ohio State this past season, as Evan Spencer and Michael Thomas filled those roles while Smith came on in situations that called for an extra target in the passing game.
Specifically, as the deep threat, as in 2014 Thomas' 33 receptions went for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns.
No returning Buckeyes receiver seems to fit this home-run threat, so look for incoming freshman K.J. Hill to get a shot in that role. A late addition to the 2015 recruiting class, the 6'0", 188-pound former Arkansas commit picked OSU on signing day and figures to be thrown into the mix right away.
Brad Watson, CB, Wake Forest
12 of 50
Replacement for: Kevin Johnson (No. 39)
Wake Forest's offensive struggles in 2014 overshadowed a very solid defense, one that was strong against the pass but is graduating three starters. That includes Johnson, who effective both in covering top receivers in the ACC as well as defending the run up on the line.
The Demon Deacons are hoping for the same from Brad Watson, who after two seasons working his way up the depth chart is ready to take on a more featured role.
The 6'0", 185-pound Watson had 17 tackles and four pass breakups last season as a sophomore, and now will be in line to replace either Johnson or fellow graduating corner Merrill Noel.
Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
13 of 50
Replacement for: Owamagbe Odighizuwa (No. 38)
Odighizuwa was tied for UCLA's team lead in tackles for loss last season, with 11.5, coming back in a huge way after missing the 2013 season with injuries. He'll be hard to replace, but a player that the Bruins added midway through last year has what it takes to fill the void.
Takkarish McKinley wasn't on the roster when last season began, not enrolling until the fall quarter and thus missing the Bruins' first three games. Once he got his sea legs, McKinley excelled as Odighizuwa's backup and finished with 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in limited action.
The 6'4", 230-pound transfer from Contra Costa College will be a junior this season.
Pita Taumoepenu, DE, Utah
14 of 50
Replacement for: Nate Orchard (No. 37)
Orchard was as dominant as they came in the college game last season, especially when rushing the passer, as he had 18.5 sacks to finish second nationally and pace the country's top-sacking team. Even with Orchard gone, there are plenty of quality defenders in the Utes' front seven, with Pita Taumoepenu looking to work his way up that list in 2015.
Taumopenu, a 6'1", 230-pound junior, can line up at both linebacker and defensive end. He split time there last season and finished with four sacks among his 16 tackles, and has a chance to take on a hybrid role similar to what Vic Beasley had at Clemson or Bud Dupree worked out of at Kentucky.
Both of those players are on Bleacher Report's Big Board, so that would work in Taumopenu's favor if he can pull it off.
Shaq Lawson, DE/LB, Clemson
15 of 50
Replacement for: Vic Beasley (No. 36)
Beasley played defensive end in college, but figures to be a linebacker in the pros because of his size and athleticism. Clemson isn't looking for a similarly diverse player to fill in for him in 2015, but Shaq Lawson is pretty close.
Last year the 6'3", 275-pound Lawson was stellar as a reserve, registering 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in helping the Tigers finish the year with the No. 1-ranked defense. The junior-to-be was far bigger than Beasley, but still showed great speed and agility.
While Beasley developed a reputation first as a pass-rushing specialist and then added run-stopping to his repertoire, Lawson already has both approaches working in his favor.
Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa
16 of 50
Replacement for: Carl Davis (No. 35)
While his statistics didn't indicate as such, the value that Davis provided to Iowa's defensive line the past two seasons is going to be missed. Jaleel Johnson has been slowly working toward being Davis' successor, and as a junior he's going to get that shot.
The 6'4", 310-pound Johnson had 11 tackles, one sack and 2.5 tackles for loss in backup action last year, either spelling Davis or seeing time at the other defensive tackle position. Both spots are open, as Louis Trinca-Pasat has also graduated, so it stands to reason that Johnson will be up for one slot or the other.
Johnson is a former two-way lineman in high school, but now that he's settled into a defensive role he's become adept at navigating around blocking schemes.
Terrence Alexander, CB, Stanford
17 of 50
Replacement for: Alex Carter (No. 34)
Despite not being at full strength for most of last season, Carter decided to turn pro early and bank on his future prospects rather than play one more year at Stanford. That opens the door for Terrence Alexander to get a shot at the starting job after a promising true freshman campaign.
The 5'10", 178-pound Alexander had 13 tackles and played in every game last season, returning an interception 46 yards in the Cardinal's win over rival California in November. Despite his limited experience, he figures to get called upon to be a leader in the fall as Stanford is replacing three-fourths of its starting secondary.
Kevin Toliver II, CB, LSU
18 of 50Replacement for: Jalen Collins (No. 33)
When Collins decided to head to the NFL after his junior year, there wasn't much panic coming from Baton Rouge. Not when one of the best defensive back recruits the school has ever had was planning to enroll early.
Kevin Toliver II, rated by 247Sports as the No. 8 prospect in the 2015 class, is in a prime position to start immediately in Collins' place. Among the fastest players in the country, he intercepted six passes over three seasons at Trinity Christian in Tallahassee, Florida.
"With spring practices under his belt, the 6-foot-2 cornerback will be ready to compete with the SEC’s best come September," wrote Brett Weisband of Saturday Down South.
Marquez White, CB, Florida State
19 of 50
Replacement for: P.J. Williams (No. 32)
The loss of both Williams and Ronald Darby at the cornerback spot puts Florida State's secondary in a state of flux for this upcoming season. Starting safeties such as Jalen Ramsey could get slid into those positions, but if the Seminoles tap into their reserves for replacements then Marquez White will be a top option for Williams' spot.
The 6'0", 172-pound White only had three tackles in 12 games last season as a sophomore, following a freshman campaign that saw him record an interception. The former two-sport star from Dothan, Alabama gave up basketball to focus on the gridiron, but the athleticism he used to play both can come in handy as a cornerback.
Kc McDermott, OT, Miami (Florida)
20 of 50
Replacement for: Ereck Flowers (No. 31)
Miami's offensive line was able to effectively protect a true freshman quarterback last season, relying on experience to get the job done. That's mostly gone now, with Flowers one of three starters who have graduated or turned pro.
The Hurricanes' backups in 2014 were somewhat of a revolving door, mostly because of injuries. Among those to get hurt was Kc McDermott, a freshman who had shown promise in the first month of the season before suffering a leg injury in late September.
The 6'6", 305-pound tackle, if healthy, will be a strong candidate to shore up the left side of the line and attempt to match what Flowers did for the previous two seasons.
Nile Lawrence-Stample, DT, Florida State
21 of 50
Replacement for: Eddie Goldman (No. 30)
Though he only had four sacks, Goldman was Florida State's leader in that category. With him gone, getting a solid pass rush going is one of the many priorities the Seminoles will address this offseason.
Had Nile Lawrence-Stample been available for all of last season, things might have been different. The 6'1", 314-pound junior only played in four games because of a torn pectoral muscle, going down in September and then playing briefly in the Rose Bowl loss to Oregon.
Lawrence-Stample was a key reserve during the 2013 title run, and his return to full strength will be a huge boost for FSU.
D.J. Foster, WR, Arizona State
22 of 50
Replacement for: Jaelen Strong (No. 29)
Even if Strong hadn't turned pro after his junior year, Arizona State already had a plan in place to mix up its receiving corps for 2015. Now that just means former running back D.J. Foster will essentially become the Sun Devils' go-to receiver instead of an extra option next to Strong.
Foster ran for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns last year, but he was just as valuable (if not more so) as a receiver, catching 62 balls for 688 yards and three scores. The 5'11", 205-pound Foster will go into his senior year as a slot receiver to maximize his skills in the open field, while rising rusher Demario Richard will move into the starting tailback slot.
ASU's offensive diversity last year enabled it to reach 10 wins for the second straight season. With Foster leading the receiving unit, the Devils will continue to evolve in that area.
Josh Harvey-Clemons, FS, Louisville
23 of 50
Replacement for: Gerod Holliman (No. 28)
Holliman went from underachiever to record-tier in 2014, sharing the single-season FBS record for interceptions with 14. He was only a redshirt sophomore, but his upside made a jump to the NFL understandable.
The player that figures to take his spot in Louisville's starting lineup next season is another safety with great skills and potential, but who to this point hasn't been able to put it all together. Josh Harvey-Clemson came to the Cardinals last season after getting dismissed from Georgia last February. In 2013, as a sophomore Harvey-Clemons started 11 games but also ran afoul of coaches and the school, and he'd been suspended for the first three games of 2014 before ultimately getting kicked off.
The 6'5", 207-pound Harvey-Clemons has been given a second chance, and though he has big shoes to fill the hope is that this skilled defender has matured and is ready to focus solely on his on-field actions.
Lincoln Plsek, TE, Minnesota
24 of 50
Replacement for: Maxx Williams (No. 27)
Williams wasn't just the best tight end in the country this past year, he was far and away Minnesota's best option in the passing game. With him off to the NFL, the Golden Gophers' wide receivers will need to contribute more, but also look for a little-targeted tight end to get his chance to shine as well.
Lincoln Plsek only has eight receptions in his college career, including five last year for 53 yards. Used more for blocking in the run game than out in space, the 6'4", 269-pound Plsek is an enormous target who might not have Williams' speed and agility but could still make a name for himself if thrown to more often.
Canton Kaumatule, DE, Oregon
25 of 50Replacement for: Arik Armstead (No. 26)
With 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss last season, Armstead was a key piece of Oregon's defensive line. But now that he's left to play in the NFL, it's cleared a path for one of the best recruits the Ducks have ever landed on that side of the ball to step right in and contribute.
Canton Kaumatule, rated by 247Sports as the No. 16 prospect in the country and the third-best defensive end in the class, showed up on campus in January and has already been making in-roads to a starting role. A two-way player in high school, on both the offensive and defensive lines, Kaumatule has the instincts to know how to get past, around and through blockers.
"Canton Kaumatule is on campus and he's huge," Oregon coach Mark Helfrich told Molly Blue of The Oregonian.
Alex Bookser, OT, Pittsburgh
26 of 50Replacement for: T.J. Clemmings (No. 25)
A former defensive player, Clemmings made himself into a star tackle this past season for Pittsburgh and is parlaying that into strong draft stock heading into the spring. His projected replacement's stock has been rising since coming to the Panthers as part of the 2014 recruiting class, and now Alex Bookser gets a chance to prove his worth.
The 6'6", 295-pound Booker saw limited action last year as a backup to Clemmings, but this fall he'll be handling the starting job if his development continues as planned. New Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi might be a defense-minded guy, but he saw how Michigan State got better as its offensive line continued to improve, so he'll work closely with Bookser to get him ready for the rigors of a starting job.
Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford
27 of 50
Replacement for: Andrus Peat (No. 24)
When in doubt, look to the other end of the offensive line.
With Peat leaving his left tackle position for the NFL draft after his junior year, Stanford needs to shore up that position in order to protect quarterback Kevin Hogan's blind size. Though it would still leave another opening to address, the smart move would be shifting standout right tackle Kyle Murphy to the left side.
The 6'7", 295-pound Murphy was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection last year, though his work was more noticeable in the run game than in pass protection. By sliding him over to the left for his senior season, Murphy's pro stock will likely rise as well as keep Stanford's quarterback upright.
Avery Gennesy, OT, Texas A&M
28 of 50Replacement for: Cedric Ogbuehi (No. 23)
If not for a torn ACL suffered during the Liberty Bowl, Ogbuehi figured to keep alive Texas A&M's recent streak of producing first-round NFL draft picks. He's still rated high, but now will be selected based on the hope he can return to the form that made him one of the best left tackles in college.
The Aggies have a new offensive line coach in former Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen, and he's got some options for how to replace Ogbuehi. The best bet it Avery Gennesy, a junior college transfer from East Mississippi Junior College who was a 4-star prospect in the 2014 recruiting class.
At 6'5" and 310 pounds, Gennesy has the perfect size to protect Kyle Allen's blind side.
Trent Corney, DE, Virginia
29 of 50
Replacement for: Eli Harold (No. 22)
Harold was a monster on the edge of Virginia's defensive line last year, hardly leaving the field while leading the team in tackles for loss with 14.5. Now that he's headed to the NFL a season early, the Cavaliers must turn to a backup that saw little action in 2014.
Trent Corney was listed second on the Cavs' depth chart behind Harold, yet he only appeared in four games after playing all 12 as a freshman the season before. The 6'3", 255-pound Corney didn't play after the first month of last season, yet now he'll be asked to take over a huge spot on the line to keep Virginia's defense among the best in the ACC.
Poona Ford, DT, Texas
30 of 50Replacement for: Malcom Brown (No. 21)
Brown made the expected move to the NFL after three strong seasons holding down the middle of Texas' defensive line, but now comes the time for coach Charlie Strong's recruits to start stepping in and contributing to the program's resurrection. Poona Ford will be among the first to get that shot as Brown's likely successor.
Ford, a former 4-star prospect, played in 10 games last year as a true freshman but only registered nine tackles and one tackle for loss. Much more is expected this fall from the 5'11", 280-pound Ford, particularly in helping Texas handle the Big 12's bevy of hard-running rushers.
Texas ranked 61st against the run last season, a ranking that needs to improve in order for the Longhorns to become a power again. Ford will be asked to help plug those holes.
Demetrious Cox, CB, Michigan State
31 of 50
Replacement for: Trae Waynes (No. 20)
Michigan State's reputation as having a "No Fly Zone" in the secondary took some hits last season, as the Spartans were torched on occasion in the passing game despite having a unit that registered 18 interceptions. Waynes was a big part of that group, and MSU needs to find the right guy to succeed him at cornerback.
Demetrious Cox saw his way onto the field in all 13 games as a sophomore last year, finishing with 26 tackles and two pass breakups. Now he gets the opportunity to see more significant snaps and be involved in more meaningful action, but he'll need to make the most of his size (6'1", 200 pounds) to outmuscle the ever-growing receivers in the Big Ten Conference.
Naijiel Hale, CB, Washington
32 of 50
Replacement for: Marcus Peters (No. 19)
The succession plan at cornerback began earlier than expected for Washington, as Peters was booted from the team in November. The immediate approach was to shift speedy wide receiver and kick returner John Ross to defense, with Naijiel Hale also involved in the action.
Hale figures to get a shot at a full-time starting role this season, both because Ross is more valuable to the Huskies in other areas and because he had knee surgery in January that will take some time to recover from.
Hale, the son of rapper Nate Dogg, broke up two passes and had 12 tackles in 14 games as a true freshman in 2014. The 5'10", 171-pound California native made two starts last season.
Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
33 of 50
Replacement for: Todd Gurley (No. 18)
Gurley was on pace for a monster season with Georgia in 2014 before first getting suspended by the NCAA for improper benefits and then going down with a knee injury. The Bulldogs' run game didn't suffer at all, though, and in fact became even more productive once Nick Chubb took over for Gurley on a full-time basis.
The 5'10", 228-pound Chubb ended up rushing for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns, the yardage tying him with Garrison Hearst for the fourth-best season in school history. Chubb ran for 100-plus yards in his final eight appearances after getting little work in the first five games of the season, and capped it off by going for 266 yards and two touchdowns in the Belk Bowl against Louisville.
"Georgia will be breaking in a new starting quarterback and will lose receivers Chris Conley and Michael Bennett, so the running game will likely become even more of a focal point," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote, noting that Chubb is likely to be a Heisman candidate in his sophomore year.
Brian Cole, WR, Michigan
34 of 50Replacement for: Devin Funchess (No. 17)
Michigan's top offensive weapon in 2014 was one that had so much talent and ability he had to be taken out of his natural position to maximize those skills. As a result, Funchess was converted from a tight end to a receiver and had a monster year.
Now Brian Cole has the chance to step into the Wolverines' starting lineup next fall as a true freshman, and despite being recruited by previous coach Brady Hoke as a cornerback he could end up becoming Michigan's top receiving threat under new coach Jim Harbaugh instead.
The 6'2", 190-pound Cole had five interceptions as a high school senior, but his reported 4.35 speed in the 40-yard dash is just too fast not to be used on offense.
K.J. Malone, OT, LSU
35 of 50
Replacement for: La'el Collins (No. 16)
LSU has produced some solid offensive linemen during coach Les Miles' tenure, but Collins might have been the best of the lot. He'll be hard to replace, but K.J. Malone has the chance to come close to what Collins accomplished with the Tigers.
After redshirting in 2013, the 6'4", 289-pound Malone served as a backup to both Collins at left tackle and left guard Vadal Alexander. His versatility makes him a strong candidate to slide into the tackle spot, though he might need to add some more size in order to handle the task.
Gerri Green, LB, Mississippi State
36 of 50Replacement for: Benardrick McKinney (No. 15)
Though McKinney didn't ultimately decide to turn pro early until the final days of the declaration period in January, Mississippi State has been planning for his departure for quite some time.
One of the Bulldogs' top recruits in 2014, Gerri Green redshirted last season in order to bring along his development slowly and save him for after McKinney went to the NFL. The former 4-star prospect built himself up to 6'4" and 240 pounds by the end of last season, according to Michael Bonner of the Clarion-Ledger.
"It's been a great learning experience," Green told Bonner of his redshirt year. "Just being able to sit back and learn from the older guys, it's just been fun."
This spring, look for Green to have the training wheels taken off in order to get him up to speed for the next season as a likely starter at middle linebacker.
Josh Forrest, LB, Kentucky
37 of 50
Replacement for: Alvin Dupree (No. 14)
Kentucky has four starters to replace from its defense, none more valuable than Dupree. The hybrid linebacker/defensive end had 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles last season, as well as a huge interception return for a touchdown in the Wildcats' upset win over South Carolina in October.
Much of what Dupree did in the linebacker zone will get handled now by Josh Forrest, a starter in the middle in 2014 who figures to slide into the strong-side role after a great junior year.
The 6'3", 236-pound Forrest had 110 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, along with two interceptions (including one returned for a TD against Louisiana-Monroe).
Keishawn Bierria, LB, Washington
38 of 50
Replacement for: Shaq Thompson (No. 13)
To expect one single player to be able to fill in for everything that Thompson accomplished last season is foolish. It wasn't a planned-out scenario that Thompson would end up scoring four defensive touchdowns and also starting a pair of games at running back.
Keishawn Bierria only is being asked to replace Thompson's presence in the middle of the Washington defense, where in 2014 he made 80 tackles. Turning three fumble recoveries and an interception into instant scores is asking far too much of the 6'1", 221-pound Bierria.
As a true freshman last year, Bierria got plenty of action. He played in all 14 games, registered 35 tackles and had a sack along with three tackles for loss. It remains to be seen what he'd be like as a running back, however.
Maurice Smith, SS, Alabama
39 of 50
Replacement for: Landon Collins (No. 12)
The secondary was among the few weak spots that Alabama had this past season, and Collins was the strongest link in that chain. With him moving to the NFL after his junior year, the Crimson Tide's back line is in for an overhaul, including a new secondary coach in Mel Tucker.
The safety positions both need to be filled, with free safety Nick Perry graduating as well, and this will be Tucker's job to find the right fit. Maurice Smith will get among the first cracks at the strong safety spot after registering 10 tackles and a half-sack as a sophomore in 2014.
The 6'0", 195-pound Smith started a game at cornerback as a freshman, but seems a better fit at safety.
Alex McCalister, DE, Florida
40 of 50
Replacement for: Dante Fowler (No. 11)
The first of the dozens of underclassmen to turn pro, doing so via Twitter before the season ended, Fowler's departure from Florida's defensive line wasn't unexpected. Despite not having stellar numbers during his Gators career, he was still a force and one that new coach Jim McElwain would need figure out how to replace.
A strong candidate for the job is Fowler's backup from 2014, Alex McCalister. As a redshirt sophomore, the 6'6", 245-pound defensive end had eight tackles for loss and six sacks among his 22 tackles.
McCalister has only had one game to impress his new coach, and he only had one tackle in Florida's Birmingham Bowl win over East Carolina. Still, he thinks the relationship between him and McElwain will be a good one.
"I'm ready to build a relationship with him," McCalister told Scott Carter of GatorZone.com.
Elijah Qualls, DT, Washington
41 of 50
Replacement for: Danny Shelton (No. 10)
Shelton's versatility and athleticism is almost unheard of from players his size, and it will be hard to ask someone else to play the way he did in 2014 when he had nine sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and 93 tackles as a nose tackle.
Elijah Qualls has the upside to get close to what Shelton achieved, though it might not happen right away. As a redshirt freshman the 6'1", 311-pounder Qualls saw action in all 14 games but only had 13 tackles and two for loss.
According to Monica Lee of GoHuskies.com, Qualls and Shelton first developed a relationship in 2013 when Qualls first arrived at Washington. He took him under his wing, and that tutelage should pay off for the Huskies this fall.
James Quick, WR, Louisville
42 of 50
Replacement for: DeVante Parker (No. 9)
How important was Parker to Louisville's offense last season? Despite missing the Cardinals' first six games because of a hip injury, he still managed to lead the team in receiving yards with 855 on just 43 receptions.
James Quick spent much of the first half of last year doing his best to fill in for Parker, and now he'll be asked to take on that role permanently. The 6'1", 182-pound wideout had 36 receptions for 566 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore, while also handling some punt- and kickoff return duties.
Quick only had seven catches after Parker returned, but the work he showed in the early part of 2014 (including a seven-catch, 174-yard, two-touchdown effort against Florida International) shows what he is capable of.
Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
43 of 50
Replacement for: Shane Ray (No. 8)
Missouri's reputation as a developer of great defensive linemen is why Ray is rated so highly heading into the NFL, and why the Tigers aren't too worried about having to replace him since the backups have been mentored in the same system.
Next in line to star on the edge is Charles Harris, who as a redshirt freshman last year had 19 tackles, four for loss, and two sacks. The 6'3", 235-pound Harris resembles an "unpolished Jason Pierre-Paul," according to Jon Cooper of Saturday Down South.
Harris only had two tackles in Missouri's final five games in 2014, with Ray staying on the field longer. But with another offseason to work with noted line coach Craig Kuligowski (who spurned an offer from Illinois to be its co-defensive coordinator to remain with the Tigers) he should be in peak form by September.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
44 of 50Replacement for: Amari Cooper (No. 7)
In a way, it makes perfect sense that the nation's top wide receiver is going to get replaced by the No. 1 receiving prospect from this past recruiting class. It's the circle of life in college football, especially at Alabama, where for every superstar that graduates or (in terms of Cooper) turns pro early, there's always another phenom waiting in the wings.
Calvin Ridley was rated by 247Sports as the No. 11 overall prospect in 2015, and though he's not as big as Cooper he still knows how to use his 6'0", 170-pound body in amazing ways.
"Watching Ridley, it's easy to see why some would compare him to Cooper," wrote Travis Reier of 247Sports. "Some guys are explosive off the ball. Others are dangerous after the catch. A select few have the ability to maintain top speed and body control when coming out of the break. Like Cooper, Ridley looks to have all of those qualities."
Cooper isn't the only receiver that Alabama has to replace, as Christion Jones and DeAndrew White graduated. But Ridley will be looked at most to make up for some of what left with Cooper, which was 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Ike Boettger, OT, Iowa
45 of 50
Replacement for: Brandon Scherff (No. 6)
Iowa's offensive line has been a perennial source of strength during Kirk Ferentz's long tenure, even when big-name blockers end up moving on to the pros. Losing Scherff is going to be one of the biggest hurdles the Hawkeyes have had to overcome up front, as he started the last 26 games at left tackle.
Ike Boettger got into eight games last season and ended the year as Scherff's backup on the depth chart. A converted tight end who has packed on the mass to get 300 pounds onto his 6'6" frame, Boettger gets first crack at taking on this all-important position.
Jordan Thompson, WR, West Virginia
46 of 50
Replacement for: Kevin White (No. 5)
As the highest-rated receiver on Bleacher Report's draft big board, White is not going to be easy to replace. The fact West Virginia also graduated No. 2 wideout Mario Alford doesn't help, either.
Jordan Thompson was the Mountaineers' third-best option in 2014, catching 49 passes for 598 yards with two touchdowns. More of a possession receiver than a big-play threat, the 5'7", 165-pound Thompson played a lot in the slot during his junior year.
If Thompson can make the jump to being a go-to receiver, even lined up in the slot, West Virginia's passing attack won't suffer as much from the departure of White and Alford.
Vernon Adams, QB, Oregon
47 of 50
Replacement for: Marcus Mariota (No. 4)
Having to replace a three-year starting quarterback who just won the Heisman Trophy and led his team to the national championship isn't an envious situation for any team, but Oregon might have just won the lottery with a recent acquisition that could solve this problem.
On Monday, dynamic passer Vernon Adams announced he was transferring from FCS school Eastern Washington for his final year of eligibility. Though he won't be around until the summer, Adams figures to be a top candidate to step in for Mariota thanks to his great arm strength, accuracy and mobility.
"I'm going to try to win this starting spot and lead Oregon back to the national championship," Adams told Andrew Greif of The Oregonian.
Adams threw for 10,438 yards and 110 touchdowns in three seasons with Eastern Washington, and during that time he lit up both Washington (in 2014) and Oregon State (in 2013). He'll have to contend with last year's top Oregon backup, Jeff Lockie, and incoming freshman Travis Waller, but based on his experience playing in a similar offensive system, look for Adams to be manning the Ducks' ship in September.
And if that happens, it will come against his former school, as Oregon opens the 2015 season by hosting Eastern Washington.
Jack Gangwish, DE, Nebraska
48 of 50
Replacement for: Randy Gregory (No. 3)
It was a great two-year run for Gregory on Nebraska's defensive line, and it's no surprise he's turned pro considering how highly rated he is on most draft boards. A true succession plan wasn't in place, though, as Gregory took the vast majority of the snaps in 2014.
Jack Gangwish got into 10 games, either spelling or replacing Gregory in mop-up situations. He finished with 19 tackles, three for loss, and had a half-sack. The 6'2", 260-pound junior college transfer will get a nice long look this spring from new coach Mike Riley to see if he can be the answer at that position.
Kenny Bigelow, DT, USC
49 of 50Replacement for: Leonard Williams (No. 2)
The loss of Williams after the 2014 season was expected, as the massively talented defensive lineman had shown during his USC career that he could dominate from any position up front. A potential successor was supposed to be around last fall, but Kenny Bigelow tore his ACL during a summer workout and never got into action.
Bigelow, who had redshirted in 2013, should finally make his collegiate debut this fall, and that may very well be in place of Williams. The 6'3", 300-pound Bigelow was the No. 9-rated player in the 2013 class, according to 247Sports, but because of the Trojans' depth up front he was able to be held out for a year.
Assuming he's able to come back at 100 percent, look for Bigelow to finally get a chance to live up to his hype that he entered college with.
Sean Maguire, QB, Florida State
50 of 50
Replacement for: Jameis Winston (No. 1)
Winston's never-dull two-year college career has come to an end almost as quickly as it began, and now Florida State has to find its next quarterback that can try to come close to what the departing one did for the Seminoles. They had a number of strong candidates coming in with this just-signed recruiting class, but the top choice at this point has already seen the field and gotten meaningful snaps.
Sean Maguire was pressed into action last September when Winston was suspended for a game, and the 6'3", 220-pound sophomore looked very good in throwing for 304 yards and a touchdown against a Clemson defense that ended the year ranked No. 1 in the country in yards allowed. Maguire had some mistakes, too, but considering the situation he did far better than anyone could have hoped.
"He exhibited enough poise and grit to show he can guide an offense if he has talent around him," Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel wrote. "His biggest strengths are his ability to throw a good deep ball and his mental toughness."
Now it's Maguire's job to lose. He won't have any shortage of skill players to work with, and with the experience he's already logged the junior is poised to have a breakout season.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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