College Football Units with Significant Production to Replace in 2016
Change is inevitable in college football, but several programs must deal with major transition at a positional unit heading into the 2016 season.
Unfortunately for some, that includes replacing an entire group of primary contributors. In a few cases—the lucky teams, you could say—a roster brings back one key starter, but that's it.
Now, quarterbacks are not included. Barring injury, one player occupies the position for an entire year. Every other offensive and defensive unit was considered for the list.
Overcoming widespread losses certainly isn't impossible, but the fresh-faced units may struggle while adapting to the spotlight.
Honorable Mentions
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Alabama Running Backs: Heisman Trophy-winning runner Derrick Henry obliterated opponents for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, scoring in all 15 games. Kenyan Drake tallied 408 yards on the ground and 276 as a receiver.
Michigan Linebackers: Joe Bolden, Desmond Morgan and James Ross III were fixtures on the Michigan defense last season, totaling 189 stops with 14 for loss. Although Jabrill Peppers is moving to linebacker, the lone returning piece from last season is Ben Gedeon.
Ohio Secondary: Leading tackler Toran Davis is back, but Ohio practically lost everyone else in the secondary. Devin Jones, Brett Layton, Ian Wells, Nathan Carpenter and Devin Bass combined for 187 stops, 31 pass breakups and four interceptions.
San Jose State Running Backs: Then again, the proper term here might be singular. Tyler Ervin contributed in all areas for the Spartans, posting 1,601 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 45 catches, 334 yards and two scores.
Akron Offensive Line and Running Backs
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Akron has achieved respectability with head coach Terry Bowden. Following three straight 1-11 campaigns, the Zips have notched 5-7, 5-7 and 8-5 seasons. In 2015, the program recorded its first-ever bowl win.
But now, the team faces a massive test: rebuilding the offense.
Leading rusher Conor Hundley tallied 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. His backup, Donnell Alexander, scored three times and scampered for nearly 500 yards. Both were seniors.
Plus, all five offensive linemen are gone. That includes a three-year starter in Dylan Brumbaugh and three multiyear starters in Tommy Brown, Quaison Osborne and Isaiah Williams. Andrew Bohan opened 12 games at center last season.
Baylor Defensive Line
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In addition to losing four starters on the offensive line, Baylor is undergoing a face-lift on the defensive front.
Jamal Palmer tallied a unit-high 55 tackles last season, tying space-eater Andrew Billings for a team-best 5.5 sacks. Each of Palmer, Billings and Shawn Oakman had at least 14 tackles for loss. They each moved on from the program.
Beau Blackshear rounded out the lineup, contributing 24 stops in 11 appearances. He held a starting role for three years before exhausting his eligibility.
Uncertainty surrounds the Bears for many reasons, and a new defensive line only adds to the team's unpredictability.
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Cal Wide Receivers
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The Los Angeles Rams chose Cal quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 overall selection of the 2016 NFL draft. But the Golden Bears took an equally large hit at receiver.
In addition to tight end Stephen Anderson (41/474/2), the five leading wideouts departed. Four had no more eligibility, and Kenny Lawler elected to forgo his senior season.
Bryce Treggs paced the offense with 956 yards, claiming a 21.2-yard average and seven touchdowns. Lawler snared a team-best 52 passes and scored 13 times. Each of Trevor Davis, Darius Powe and Maurice Harris reached the 40-catch mark.
Demetris Robertson—the No. 1 receiver recruit in the 2016 class—committed to the program, but the addition is simply one step of reloading a diminished position.
Cincinnati Wide Receivers
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Considering the versatility of the receiving corps, it's no surprise Cincinnati boasted the nation's sixth-best passing offense in 2015.
Shaq Washington secured 90 passes for 982 yards and six scores. Max Morrison had 52 catches, 617 yards and three touchdowns. Alex Chisum reeled in 38 receptions for 475 yards.
And they were simply the possession-oriented—read: not explosive—targets. The Bearcats showcased several big-play threats, too.
Chris Moore scored a team-best seven times and averaged 21.8 yards per catch, while Mekale McKay notched 18.8 and Johnny Holton amassed a completely absurd 27.1 on his 17 receptions.
Good luck replacing the top six receivers, Cincinnati.
Houston Secondary
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While most of the attention Houston received in 2015 focused on the dual-threat stylings of Greg Ward Jr., the defense deserved more credit. Now, the unit needs to reload.
Trevon Stewart earned first-team All-AAC honors, while both William Jackson III—a first-round draft pick—and Adrian McDonald found a home on the second team. They combined for 211 tackles and 13 interceptions.
Plus, Lee Hightower was sixth on the defense with 53 stops. He started 17 games for the Cougars after transferring from Boise State.
Brandon Wilson headlines an otherwise inexperienced secondary that opens the season against quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners.
Louisiana Tech Linebackers
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If you consider filling a couple of voids a minor procedure, Louisiana Tech's defense has undergone reconstructive surgery.
Eight of the Bulldogs' top nine tacklers were seniors in 2015. Considering that, it's no surprise one unit must find a brand-new group of starters for the upcoming season.
Beau Fitte registered a team-high 104 tackles, Nick Thomason ended with the second-highest mark (82) and C.J. Cleveland (60) tied Kentrell Brice for the third-highest total.
Louisiana Tech's biggest losses were quarterback Jeff Driskel and running back Kenneth Dixon, but linebacker isn't far behind.
Navy Offensive Line
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The biggest loss is quarterback Keenan Reynolds; there's no doubt about it. Navy needs to rebuild its offensive line, though.
Last season, the Midshipmen tied Baylor for the No. 2 rushing offense in the country. They averaged 326.7 yards per game.
E.K. Binns (34 career starts), Joey Gaston (29), Brandon Greene (15), Blaze Ryder (14) and Ben Tamburello (14) held down the first-string spots for most of 2015—and some in previous years.
Navy has showcased a top rushing attack for a decade, so odds are head coach Ken Niumatalolo's team will continue excelling. Still, replacing five impactful players in the trenches is easier said than done.
Notre Dame Wide Receivers
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Last season, Notre Dame's receiving corps helped DeShone Kizer rapidly develop behind center. The Fighting Irish quarterback—whether it's him or Malik Zaire—won't have the same luxury.
Big-play threat Will Fuller wisely bolted for the NFL, becoming a first-round selection. Amir Carlisle and Chris Brown used up their eligibility, and Corey Robinson retired due to medical reasons. Even C.J. Prosise—who moved to running back—is gone.
Those five combined to tally 183 of 240 receptions, 2,714 of 3,360 yards and 21 of 25 touchdowns. Notre Dame has recruited well at the position, but nobody has significant game experience.
Although Torii Hunter Jr. snagged a respectable 28 passes last season, he's the only returning wideout with more than one career catch.
Ohio State Running Back
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Ohio State accumulated 3,188 rushing yards last season, but J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones combined for 875. Subtract Braxton Miller's 260, and the Buckeyes are left with 2,053 from running backs.
Ezekiel Elliott only tallied 1,821 of them.
For good measure, Bri'onte Dunn (91) will not return to the program, and Warren Ball (28) transferred. In other words, Ohio State returns 132 rushing yards—all from Curtis Samuel—at the position.
The Buckeyes will probably turn to Mike Weber as the starter. As a redshirt freshman, he's logged a grand total of zero carries in college.
Utah State Linebackers
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Utah State celebrated a pair of third-round picks in the 2016 NFL draft. But that also means the roster has enormous voids to fill.
Nick Vigil racked up 144 tackles, while Kyler Fackrell registered 82 stops with 15 for loss and had 13 hurries, per CFBStats.com. They found homes with the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers, respectively.
However, that's not all. LT Filiaga's 78 tackles ranked third on the team, and Torrey Green collected 48 tackles and 11.5 for loss.
Perhaps the Aggies will wreak some havoc in the Mountain West, but they must completely rebuild the linebackers first.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from CFBStats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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