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College Football Teams Needing to Replace the Most NFL Talent

David Kenyon

LSU's win over Clemson in the national championship provided the final chapter of the 2019 college football season, and many of the standout players from that showdown will now start preparing for their next challenge.

Whether it's departing seniors or underclassmen ready for the pros, they'll join the group of players heading into the 2020 NFL draft.

That means several college football teams are looking at gaping holes opening on their roster.

The football world has come to expect Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State in this category, while Georgia, LSU and Oklahoma are familiar inclusions, too. But in 2020, a few Pac-12 programs are also losing a strong draft-eligible class.

Oregon Ducks

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Although the Pac-12 champions are short on top-tier prospects, Oregon has several middle-round options in the 2020 class.

Senior quarterback Justin Herbert is the only player that B/R's Matt Miller has among his top 75 prospects. However, linebacker Troy Dye, wideout Juwan Johnson and offensive lineman Shane Lemieux are all top-100 players.

Additionally, Miller considers Calvin Throckmorton the "biggest sleeper" at offensive tackle. Center Jake Hanson and tight end Jacob Breeland are top-20 players at their respective positions, too.

That's an impressive group even without defensive tackle Jordon Scott and cornerbacks Thomas Graham Jr. and Deommodore Lenoir, all of whom will return to Oregon in 2020.

Oklahoma Sooners

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

Oklahoma received great news when offensive lineman Creed Humphrey decided to return in 2020.

The Sooners are about to lose massive production from four players, though.

All-American wideout CeeDee Lamb will likely be either the first or second receiver selected, perhaps even in the top 10. Alabama's Jerry Jeudy is the primary competition for Lamb, who racked up 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, linebacker Kenneth Murray tallied a team-high 102 tackles, and Neville Gallimore played a vital role on the interior of the defensive line. All three players are top-80 prospects, according to Miller.

Running back Trey Sermon should also generate Day 3 attention, provided his rehab from a season-ending knee injury is progressing as hoped.

Utah Utes

Kyusung Gong/Associated Press

Had they defeated Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game, the Utes might have reached the College Football Playoff.

While a superb NFL draft class isn't a perfect consolation, it isn't a bad one.

Utah has four top-100 draft-eligible players in running back Zack Moss, edge-rusher Bradlee Anae and defensive backs Jaylon Johnson and Terrell Burgess, per Miller. None of them are considered first-round prospects, but could each be Day 2 selections (second or third round).

Safety Julian Blackmon and defensive tackle Leki Fotu will also be selected, barring a surprise. Cornerback Javelin Guidry, linebacker Francis Bernard and quarterback Tyler Huntley may be, too.

Georgia Bulldogs

John Amis/Associated Press

For better or worse, Georgia's offense will have a fresh look in 2020.

While three-year starting quarterback Jake Fromm is headed to the NFL, the Dawgs have several other higher-rated prospects. Left tackle Andrew Thomas could be a top-five selection, and running back D'Andre Swift has first-round talent.

Offensive linemen Solomon Kindley and Isaiah Wilson are also turning pro. The defense will return a few quality draft-eligible players (Monty Rice, Richard LeCounte III and Eric Stokes) but must replace defensive tackle Tyler Clark and safety J.R. Reed.

Clemson Tigers

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Highlighted by do-everything linebacker Isaiah Simmons, Clemson has a decent mix of first-round talent and late-round options.

Simmonswho led the Tigers in tackles, tackles for loss and sacksmight be a top-10 selection. Running back Travis Etienne and wide receiver Tee Higgins will be regular sights in mock drafts, though either of them could slide into the second round.

Update: Etienne will return for his senior season.

They could be joined on Day 2 by cornerback A.J. Terrell and offensive guard John Simpson, who Miller rates 56th and 62nd, respectively.

Offensive linemen Tremayne Anchrum and Gage Cervenka will be monitored in later rounds, along with safeties K'Von Wallace and Tanner Muse.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Ohio State probably would have had another first-round pick if nickelback Shaun Wade had declared for the NFL draft.

The Buckeyes may instead settle for three. Oh well.

Edge-rusher Chase Young is widely considered the No. 1 prospect, though he'll likely be selected second or third overall. Cornerback Jeff Okudah will probably be a top-15 pick, and running back J.K. Dobbins has first-round talent with a Day 2 floor.

Other draft-worthy talents include cornerback Damon Arnette, linebacker Malik Harrison, wideouts K.J. Hill and Binjimen Victor, safety Jordan Fuller and defensive tackle Robert Landers.

LSU Tigers

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

While the national champions wait on draft decisions from underclassmen, LSU is certain to enjoy the opening round April 23.

The expected No. 1 overall pick is quarterback Joe Burrow, who smashed program and national records en route to the 2019 Heisman Trophy. Plus, some combination of safety Grant Delpit, cornerback Kristian Fulton, edge-rusher K'Lavon Chaisson and wide receiver Justin Jefferson should join Burrow in the first round.

But the Tigers will be far from finished. The program should approach 10 total picks in the 2020 draft.

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, linemen Lloyd Cushenberry III and Saahdiq Charles and tight ends Thaddeus Moss and Stephen Sullivan are outgoing offensive players. The Tigers will also lose defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence, as well as linebackers Jacob Phillips and Patrick Queen.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Sam Craft/Associated Press

Shocker, we know. Alabama has a bunch of NFL talent.

Miller's top 32 features wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., wideout Henry Ruggs III, edge-rusher Terrell Lewis, cornerback Trevon Diggs and safety Xavier McKinney. And those are only the players who are leaving.

Alabama also had other potential first- or second-round picks—running back Najee Harris, wideout DeVonta Smith, offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood and linebacker Dylan Moses—decide to return for 2020.

That's just ridiculous.

Defensive lineman Raekwon Davis and edge-rusher Anfernee Jennings might not slip past Day 2, while defensive backs Shyheim Carter and Jared Mayden are Day 3 possibilities.

                 

Stats from NCAA.com, cfbstats.com or B/R research. Follow Bleacher Report CFB writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.

   

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