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As we look ahead to the 2018 college football season, we explore 15 teams that lost the most talent to graduation and the NFL Draft.
Every college football offseason follows a similar pattern. First, we take a quick look back at all the great moments that made last year so special. Then, we go through the rosters, depth charts and stat sheets for each team, and cross off the names of the seniors that have run out of eligibility. In mid-January, the NFL publishes its list of players who have decided to leave school early for the draft. We cross those players off our list, as well as various transfers and disciplinary actions ā a process we must stay on top of until September.
Over the past few weeks, weāve added up those crossed-off names to determine which programs have the biggest holes to fill. For instance, Colorado State lost 15 players to graduation from last yearās roster, which is more than any team in the nation. Navy lost 21 players listed on the two-deep roster, the most in the country, followed by UTSA with 20.
They may have lost the largest numbers of experienced players, but few would argue Colorado State, Navy or UTSA lost the most talent. After all, none of the three lost a player early to the NFL Draft, and none of the three recruit at a particularly high level anyway. Therefore, we set out to rank the top 15 teams in terms of lost talent, focusing on bowl-eligible teams from Power Five conferences.
1- LSU
3 - Bama
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
The receiving corps was one of the hardest hit units. Calvin Ridley needed just three seasons to break into the all-time top five in the SEC in career receptions (224). Ridley also left Tuscaloosa ranked in the top 20 in conference history with 2,781 receiving yards, and was on the receiving end of 19 touchdown passes. Senior receivers Robert Foster, Cam Sims and early NFL Draft entrant Bo Scarbrough (who ranked second on the team with 17 receptions and third with 596 rushing yards in 2017) are also gone.
The Crimson Tide must almost replace nearly 60 percent of its tackling production after losing nine starters from what was one of the most dominant units in the nation last year. Defensive backs Ronnie Harrison and Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive lineman DaāRon Payne joined Ridley and Scarbrough in foregoing their senior seasons. Only two schools lost more players early to the draft.
With Harrison and Fitzpatrick opting to leave Tuscaloosa, Alabama must now replace its entire starting secondary. Thrown in linebackers Rashaan Evans and Shaun Dion Hamilton and defensive end DaāShawn Hand and 10 of the teamās top 17 tacklers from last season are gone. The team returns just 52 percent its tackles for loss, 51.3 percent of its sacks and 36.8 percent of interceptions.
4- UGA
12- Louisville
15 college football teams losing the most talent in 2018
Every college football offseason follows a similar pattern. First, we take a quick look back at all the great moments that made last year so special. Then, we go through the rosters, depth charts and stat sheets for each team, and cross off the names of the seniors that have run out of eligibility. In mid-January, the NFL publishes its list of players who have decided to leave school early for the draft. We cross those players off our list, as well as various transfers and disciplinary actions ā a process we must stay on top of until September.
Over the past few weeks, weāve added up those crossed-off names to determine which programs have the biggest holes to fill. For instance, Colorado State lost 15 players to graduation from last yearās roster, which is more than any team in the nation. Navy lost 21 players listed on the two-deep roster, the most in the country, followed by UTSA with 20.
They may have lost the largest numbers of experienced players, but few would argue Colorado State, Navy or UTSA lost the most talent. After all, none of the three lost a player early to the NFL Draft, and none of the three recruit at a particularly high level anyway. Therefore, we set out to rank the top 15 teams in terms of lost talent, focusing on bowl-eligible teams from Power Five conferences.
1- LSU
3 - Bama
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
- Early NFL Draft Entrants: 5 (RB Bo Scarbrough, WR Calvin Ridley, DT DaāRon Payne, DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, S Robbie Harrison)
- Starters Lost: 14 (5 Offense, 9 Defense)
- Two-Deep Lost: 16 (6 Offense, 10 Defense)
- Passing Yards Returning: 2,708 (100 percent)
- Rushing Yards Returning: 3,068 (83.3 percent)
- Receiving Yards Returning: 1,256 (46.3 percent)
- Tackles Returning:5 (40.7 percent)
The receiving corps was one of the hardest hit units. Calvin Ridley needed just three seasons to break into the all-time top five in the SEC in career receptions (224). Ridley also left Tuscaloosa ranked in the top 20 in conference history with 2,781 receiving yards, and was on the receiving end of 19 touchdown passes. Senior receivers Robert Foster, Cam Sims and early NFL Draft entrant Bo Scarbrough (who ranked second on the team with 17 receptions and third with 596 rushing yards in 2017) are also gone.
The Crimson Tide must almost replace nearly 60 percent of its tackling production after losing nine starters from what was one of the most dominant units in the nation last year. Defensive backs Ronnie Harrison and Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive lineman DaāRon Payne joined Ridley and Scarbrough in foregoing their senior seasons. Only two schools lost more players early to the draft.
With Harrison and Fitzpatrick opting to leave Tuscaloosa, Alabama must now replace its entire starting secondary. Thrown in linebackers Rashaan Evans and Shaun Dion Hamilton and defensive end DaāShawn Hand and 10 of the teamās top 17 tacklers from last season are gone. The team returns just 52 percent its tackles for loss, 51.3 percent of its sacks and 36.8 percent of interceptions.
4- UGA
12- Louisville
15 college football teams losing the most talent in 2018
