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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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Nov 26, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Chris Warren III (25) reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas Tech beat Texas 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Chris Warren III (25) reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas Tech beat Texas 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
25

Chris Warren III

Running Back, Texas

During the 2016 college football season, the Texas Longhorns were one of the more inconsistent teams in the Big 12. With a freshman at quarterback, the passing game struggled at times, which led to the team relying heavily on star running back D’Onta Foreman. Foreman did not disappoint, rushing for over 2,000 yards in a season that would earn him the Doak Walker Award.

Foreman is now headed to the NFL, where his style of running should equate nice to the pro game. Replacing him will be two players who should combine for a ton of yards next season, as Texas should be better in Shane Buechele’s second year under center. While Kyle Porter should get his fair share of carries, this team is only going to go as far as Chris Warren III takes them, and he should be in for a solid season.

Warren was the No. 2 back behind Foreman last season as a sophomore, and did a nice job supplementing him in the run game. After scoring four touchdowns as a freshman in 2015, Warren tacked on three more last season, rushing for over 350 yards in limited time. Foreman was having a magical season, and now it will be up to Warren to shoulder the load in 2017.

The junior is a big body, registering at 6-foot-2, and 252 pounds. He has battled a hamstring injury this spring, which has led to Porter getting a bunch of touches for the Longhorns. Texas is going to need both men to step up in 2017, and if Buechele does take the next step, this team could challenge for a Big 12 title under first-year head coach Tom Herman.

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