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30 college football players with big shoes to fill in 2017

By Brad Weiss

Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love (20) runs the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love (20) runs the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bryce Love

Running Back, Stanford

For the past two seasons, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey has been arguably the best in the country at his position. McCaffrey racked up over 2,000 all-purpose yards in two straight seasons, establishing himself as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick. The Cardinal will have to get incredible production out of Bryce Love this season if he hopes to replace McCaffrey, and he showed last season that he has what it takes.

There is really no way Love can reproduce the kind of numbers McCaffrey put up, as really there has been no player in college football history who has done what he has. In Love, the Cardinal are getting a fantastic back in his own right, as he showed last season that he can get the job done. Stanford finished the 2016 season on a strong note, winning six straight games, including a bowl game victory against the University of North Carolina.

In 2017, Love will be the feature back, as he looks to continue what he started last season. Love rushed for nearly 800 yards as McCaffrey’s backup, including a 115-yard effort in the bowl game that McCaffrey decided to sit out. In fact, Love finished the season with back-to-back 100-yard efforts, solidifying his spot as the No. 1 back this season.

Love is only a junior, so he could be the man at Stanford for the next two seasons. The Cardinal are likely to go with Ryan Burns under center to start the season, as Keller Chryst blew up his knee late in the 2016 campaign. Love is going to be relied upon to carry the offense, and based on his sample set last year, the Cardinal are in good hands with him running the ball.

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