Replacements for Top 20 Players to Declare Early for 2016 NFL Draft
Early entrants into the NFL draft are becoming more and more popular in college football, and a majority of the best prospects each year don't use up all their college eligibility.
Take Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller's latest Big Board of 2016 prospects for example.
Twenty of his top 24 prospects were underclassmen who applied for early entry into the professional ranks. Only three were seniors, and the last one was another underclassman who decided to stay in school (Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen).
Of course, one declaring prospect's big payday in the pros means one big hole in the depth chart for his former college team. Those who take up their starting jobs have some mighty large shoes to fill.
Here are the most likely college replacements for the top 20 players who declared early for the 2016 NFL draft, according to Miller's latest rankings. These are the potential stars of the 2016 college football season and beyond.
Cal QB Chase Forrest
1 of 20
Replacing: Jared Goff
Cal will have a massive hole to fill in its Bear Raid offense after the departure of top prospect Jared Goff to the NFL ranks. According to Ryan Gorcey of Scout, Goff himself was a rather controversial choice as a new starter in 2013, and coach Sonny Dykes will have his hands full once again in 2016.
The front-runner to replace Goff appears to be rising sophomore Chase Forrest, who was Goff's backup as a redshirt freshman in 2015. Forrest appeared in three games and attempted all but one of his 18 passes on the season in a 73-14 blowout win over FCS school Grambling State.
While the dual-threat Luke Rubenzer has more in-game experience than Forrest, the rising sophomore has the pocket-passing look of a quarterback ready to take over for one of the best players in school history.
Notre Dame LB Te'von Coney
2 of 20
Replacing: Jaylon Smith
Te'von Coney stepped in for star Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith at the Fiesta Bowl in early January, but an injury of his own in the same game might hold him back in offseason preparation. If he can practice at full health, Coney is the ideal candidate to take over at "Will" linebacker for the Fighting Irish.
As a freshman, Coney appeared in 12 games and pitched in 13 tackles for the Fighting Irish. Evan Sharpley of 247Sports wrote that the former 4-star recruit "could be the next great linebacker at Notre Dame" and follow in the footsteps of Smith.
The key for Coney will be to get healthy in the early part of the offseason and nail down the starting job over a number of young Irish linebackers looking to break into the top of the depth chart. He's already made a great early impression on the coaching staff in South Bend.
Ohio State DE Sam Hubbard
3 of 20
Replacing: Joey Bosa
Ohio State's replacement for the dominant Joey Bosa would have been an unexpected choice just a couple of years ago. Bosa's backup in 2015, redshirt freshman Sam Hubbard, was an athletic safety in high school.
But as Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod wrote last year, Ohio State saw Hubbard's future on the defensive line. He bulked up to 265 pounds and broke into the rotation at end, where he finished the season with eight tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks—the latter number being more than what Bosa recorded in his final year with the Buckeyes.
Hubbard's breakout year at defensive end, combined with some surprising special teams work, make him the ideal candidate to replace Bosa in 2016. His journey to the position may have been long and winding, but his move up to the top spot on the depth chart should be short and sweet.
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Notre Dame OT Hunter Bivin
4 of 20
Replacing: Ronnie Stanley
Notre Dame is losing not one, but two potential top-five picks in the upcoming NFL draft. The Irish will have to fill in the gap on the blind side left by Ronnie Stanley, and backup Hunter Bivin is the early front-runner to take hold of the starting job.
According to Nick Ironside of 247Sports, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly challenged his offensive line to develop more depth behind Stanley at left tackle. Bivin answered the call and nailed down his No. 2 spot behind Stanley ahead of the 2015 season.
Now Bivin, who has the ability to play either tackle or guard, should slide into the starting job for 2016. He has plenty of experience in Notre Dame's system as a backup and will be a key factor in what should be a solid offensive line next season.
Ole Miss OT Greg Little
5 of 20
Replacing: Laremy Tunsil
Greg Little hasn't even arrived in Oxford yet, but there's already talk that he could be the replacement for all-world offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil sooner rather than later.
Like Tunsil, Little is the jewel of a potentially legendary recruiting class for Ole Miss as the No. 2 overall player in the country behind unanimous selection Rashan Gary. The Rebels' top two offensive tackles from 2015—Tunsil and Fahn Cooper—won't be back for 2016, meaning Little has the chance to play right away.
Cooper started at right tackle and was moved to left tackle while Tunsil sat out several games during an NCAA investigation. According to Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles, Little has made quite a name for himself at left tackle, blocking for several future FBS players in what was a stellar high school career in Texas.
UCLA LB Jayon Brown
6 of 20
Replacing: Myles Jack
Injuries wrecked the first-team defense at UCLA in 2015, with none bigger than the season-ending blow to superstar linebacker Myles Jack. Fortunately, the Bruins were able to adjust to life without Jack earlier than expected with a breakout season from Jayon Brown.
The undersized linebacker led UCLA with 93 tackles in the 2015 season and added six breakups in pass coverage. Jack's injury took Brown from versatile role player to starter for the final 10 games of the season, and he progressed well in the added spotlight for the Bruins.
"We ask him to do a lot of different things," UCLA defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said in November, per Claire Fahy of the Daily Bruin. "He plays all the positions at linebacker. It’s not easy. … I’m proud of the way he’s developed and hopefully he’ll continue that development."
Florida CB Quincy Wilson
7 of 20
Replacing: Vernon Hargreaves III
Vernon Hargreaves III's departure from the Florida secondary to the NFL draft was expected, but the Gators will be able to rely on Jalen Tabor to take over as the team's top corner.
Quincy Wilson came down with two interceptions for the Gators in 2015 and recorded five pass breakups. He was listed as the backup to Tabor at corner, and starting nickelback Brian Poole was Hargreaves' understudy on the depth chart. Poole is a departing senior, leaving a spot open for Wilson.
According to Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports, opposing quarterbacks only completed 34.9 percent of their passes in Wilson's direction by late November—a lower completion percentage than the one against the highly touted Hargreaves. Wilson should have no problem stepping up to a starter role in 2016.
Florida State CB Tarvarus McFadden
8 of 20
Replacing: Jalen Ramsey
Do-it-all defensive back Jalen Ramsey is headed to the NFL after a strong season returning to cornerback for the 2015 Florida State Seminoles. Ramsey's replacement is shaping up to be one of the nation's best players from the 2015 class—former 5-star recruit Tarvarus McFadden.
McFadden earned a spot as Ramsey's backup at boundary corner, and the 6'2" freshman appeared in seven games for the Seminoles. According to David Visser of SB Nation's Tomahawk Nation, Ramsey seemed to take extra time during the 2015 season to help out his potential replacement.
"This wouldn't be a shocking progression, as, on several occasions, I saw McFadden walking off the practice field with Ramsey, seemingly picking his brain—that is, when the two weren't staying late together," Visser wrote. "It rather felt like Ramsey was grooming his successor."
Clemson CB Adrian Baker
9 of 20
Replacing: Mackensie Alexander
Adrian Baker has already been thrown into the fire as a replacement for Clemson's shutdown cornerback Mackensie Alexander, who is one of several players from the Tigers defense making their way to the NFL.
Baker, who had a momentum-turning interception of Florida State quarterback Sean Maguire in Clemson's important win over the Seminoles in November, filled in for Alexander during the national championship game against Alabama. He had a touchdown-saving deflection, but also missed a key tackle on tight end O.J. Howard in the fourth quarter.
Baker will be the front-runner to win the starting job opposite Cordrea Tankersley, but he'll face a tough challenge from rising underclassman Mark Fields, according to Dan Hope of the Independent Mail.
Ole Miss WR Damore'ea Stringfellow
10 of 20
Replacing: Laquon Treadwell
Ole Miss will be ecstatic to bring back quarterback Chad Kelly for 2016, but he'll be without star wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. The Rebels have options to replace him, though, with the main one being Damore'ea Stringfellow.
Stringfellow had great success as a nonstarter in the wide receiver rotation last season, recording 503 yards and five touchdowns. And at 6'2" and 220 pounds, Stringfellow has comparable size to Treadwell to go along with the experience. The former Washington transfer seems like the clear-cut choice to take over as Ole Miss' No. 1 receiver in 2016.
"If you throw it up there, he’s going to get his body out there and make a play. He’s very physical," Ole Miss offensive coordinator Dan Werner said last year, per Riley Blevins of the Clarion-Ledger. "He’s very similar to Laquon."
Memphis QB Riley Ferguson
11 of 20
Replacing: Paxton Lynch
Big changes are coming to the Memphis offense in 2016 after the departure of head coach Justin Fuente and prized quarterback Paxton Lynch. One of the top candidates to replace Lynch in new head coach Mike Norvell's offense should be a familiar name to those in the state of Tennessee.
Norvell's staff signed Riley Ferguson, who was rated the No. 1 JUCO pro-style quarterback in the 2016 class, in December. Ferguson, a former Elite 11 finalist, spent one season at Tennessee before throwing for 2,942 yards, 35 touchdowns and six interceptions at Coffeyville Community College.
Ferguson will compete with Brady Davis, Clay Holgorsen and Keon Howard for the starting job, but the former Volunteer should be the front-runner by the time spring practice starts. He is the most talented of the bunch.
Ole Miss DT Breeland Speaks
12 of 20
Replacing: Robert Nkemdiche
Ole Miss got adjusted to life without former No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche during the Sugar Bowl, when Breeland Speaks and D.J. Jones took over the suspended defensive tackle's role. With Nkemdiche and senior tackle Woodrow Hamilton now gone, the opportunity is there for Speaks to take over.
Speaks had several strong outings as a freshman in 2015, registering 5.5 tackles for loss and recording his first career sack against rival Mississippi State. The coaching staff at Ole Miss like what they've seen so far out of the 313-pound Mississippi native.
"I think he’s a real force. I think he’s special," Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said, per David Ching of ESPN.com. "He can do some things that Robert can’t do and vice versa. I think it’s an experience thing. He doesn’t have nearly as many reps as Robert, but he is extremely athletic."
Clemson DE Austin Bryant
13 of 20
Replacing: Shaq Lawson
Clemson has to replace arguably the most productive defensive end duo in the entire country with Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd off to the NFL. However, the Tigers' Plan B for Lawson during his injury worries in the College Football Playoff should seamlessly transition to a starting role in 2016.
Austin Bryant took a lot more snaps toward the end of the season and filled in for Lawson during the Orange Bowl semifinal win over Oklahoma. In that game, he set a new career high in tackles and got into the Sooners backfield several times.
"Last year, we took out Beasley and we brought Shaq Lawson in. This year, we take Shaq out and we bring Austin Bryant in, who's a great player, but he's a true freshman," Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said, per Matt Connolly of the State (via NCAA.com). "He's been getting experience, and that's the difference."
Ohio State RB Mike Weber
14 of 20
Replacing: Ezekiel Elliott
Replacing the talents of a star running back such as Ezekiel Elliott might take more than one player for Ohio State. And while Bri'onte Dunn and Curtis Samuel have more experience, redshirt freshman Mike Weber might be the best all-around running back choice for the Buckeyes in 2016.
Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com explained:
"Though Weber didn't play in 2015, the early returns on what he did in practice show that he should be in competition -- if not the leading candidate -- to lead Ohio State in carries next season and take over as the tough runner that boosts the Buckeyes offense like [Beanie] Wells did in 2006.
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Samuel could split time at H-back and running back as Ohio State looks to take full advantage of his skill set. If Samuel stays over there, look for Weber to take control as the primary ball-carrier. His wild recruitment made him a famous name in Columbus, and his practice work before a knee injury showed he can deliver on high expectations.
Ohio State WR Noah Brown
15 of 20
Replacing: Michael Thomas
Ohio State's No. 1 receiver, Michael Thomas, is off to the NFL after back-to-back seasons of at least 700 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. His top replacement for 2016 didn't even suit up for the Buckeyes this season.
Noah Brown was pegged by many, including the Ohio State coaching staff, to have a huge year in 2015. However, he broke his leg just days before the season opener against Virginia Tech and never played a snap. At full health, the 6'2" target is expected to be a leader for an offense that doesn't return many starters.
"I'd say Noah Brown is probably the most improved receiver right now," Ohio State defensive back Eli Apple said last August, per Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com. "There was a point early in camp when nobody could cover him because he's really physical and so good with his hands. He chases everything."
UCLA DT Eddie Vanderdoes
16 of 20
Replacing: Kenny Clark
Eddie Vanderdoes looked like he was going to set the tone for a huge 2015 season in UCLA's opener against Virginia. But after racking up eight tackles—with two for loss—he went down with an ACL injury that kept him out of action for the rest of the year.
Vanderdoes wasn't able to have the full 2015 season next to star nose tackle Kenny Clark, but the former 5-star recruit could replace the potential first-round pick in 2016. With Eli Ankou holding his own in Vanderdoes' defensive tackle slot last season, the 305-pounder might be more suited to slide to Clark's spot.
Vanderdoes definitely has the size and the power to be a standout nose tackle in UCLA's defense thanks to the departure of Clark. Look for him to take up the mantle as the Bruins' top interior defensive lineman later this fall.
Notre Dame WR Equanimeous St. Brown
17 of 20
Replacing: Will Fuller
Notre Dame will have to replace the consistent touchdown threat of Will Fuller, who decided to head to the NFL after originally planning to stay in school. While the Irish have several returning wide receivers such as Corey Robinson and Torii Hunter Jr. to pick up the slack, the next Fuller might be further down the depth chart.
According to Eric Hansen of the South Bend Tribune, rising sophomore Equanimeous St. Brown has the best opportunity to replace Fuller as the can't-miss scoring weapon out wide for Notre Dame. While he missed the final four games of a one-reception season due to a shoulder injury, the coaching staff is big on St. Brown.
"Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly often offered that St. Brown would be a starter on most FBS teams, and with now losing Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5 in receptions from his 10-3 team, St. Brown and others will get a chance to move up the depth chart," Hansen wrote.
Georgia LB Lorenzo Carter
18 of 20
Replacing: Leonard Floyd
Georgia will have to replace its top two edge-rushing talents in head coach Kirby Smart's first season in Athens, and that should swing the door open for Lorenzo Carter to live up to his major hype.
The 6'6" former 5-star recruit didn't record a single tackle for loss in 2015 after notching seven in his true freshman campaign of 2014. He appeared in all 13 games, but he didn't record a single takedown in the opposing backfield.
Entering his junior season, the pressure will be on Carter to become the pass-rushing nightmare that many predicted he would be when he arrived on campus. Departing first-round talent Leonard Floyd had 10.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in his last two seasons for the Bulldogs.
Alabama DL Daron Payne
19 of 20
Replacing: A'Shawn Robinson
Alabama will lose one of the nation's most versatile defensive linemen in A'Shawn Robinson, but the massive reserves of blue-chip recruits the Tide has built should ease the transition in a big way.
Daron Payne is the clear favorite to take over the starting job on the inside of Alabama's 3-4 defensive front, but he also has the athleticism and versatility to play several roles for the Crimson Tide. He started three games for an already loaded defense—as a true freshman—so the sky is the limit for him in 2016.
Travis Reier of 247Sports elaborated:
"With Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson and Da'Shawn Hand coming back, Alabama will welcome back a handful of base/sub package options at end. In Payne, UA will feature a blocker-consuming nose tackle on run downs who is also capable of crushing the pocket in passing situations. In other words, Payne won't be just a first-down specialist.
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Michigan State OT Miguel Machado
20 of 20
Replacing: Jack Conklin
Michigan State must replace a key figure in left tackle Jack Conklin on its offensive line, a unit that provided so much power in the Spartans' excellence at trench warfare this past season.
Former JUCO transfer Miguel Machado, who is entering his senior season, was Conklin's backup last season and should be the front-runner for the starting job in 2016. According to Mike Griffith of MLive.com, Machado looked strong in preseason practice, but had some issues with assignments that knocked down his playing time in 2015.
If it's not Machado, Conklin's replacement might come from somewhere other than the current roster in East Lansing. According to Dan Murphy of ESPN.com, head coach Mark Dantonio openly welcomed the possibility of a graduate transfer tackle taking over for Conklin. If that happens, Machado might slide to the inside of the line.
Justin Ferguson is a college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.
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