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15 college football teams losing the most talent in 2018

By Nicholas Ian Allen

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Lamont Gaillard #53 of the Georgia Bulldogs prepares to snap the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Alabama defeated Georgia 26-23 for the national title. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Lamont Gaillard #53 of the Georgia Bulldogs prepares to snap the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Alabama defeated Georgia 26-23 for the national title. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 09: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts during a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 9, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Georgia won 20-19. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 09: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts during a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 9, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Georgia won 20-19. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
  • Early NFL Draft Entrants: 2 (LB Roquan Smith, DT Trenton Thompson)
  • Starters Lost: 14 (5 Offense, 9 Defense)
  • Two-Deep Lost: 16 (6 Offense, 10 Defense)
  • Passing Yards Returning: 2,625 (98.9 Percent)
  • Rushing Yards Returning: 1,486 (36.6 Percent)
  • Receiving Yards Returning: 1,808 (67.6 Percent)
  • Tackles Returning:5 (47.8 percent)

It gets lost at times because Georgia started a freshman quarterback, but experience of the driving forces behind the Bulldogs’ SEC Championship and near national title in 2017. Georgia fielded seven senior starters on defense and two juniors that would go on to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft. On the other side of the ball, the team’s top two leading rushers, leading receiver, starting tight end and best offensive lineman were all seniors. As a result, the Dawgs must replace more than half of its tackling production, and nearly two-thirds of its rushing yardage and one-third of its receiving in 2018.

All-American Roquan Smith amassed 137 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a junior, and was rewarded with SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors and the Butkus Award for his efforts. The loss of Smith, seniors Lorenzo Carter, Reggie Carter, Davin Bellamy and Reggie Carter (as well as the uncertain future of suspended Natrez Patrick) means the entire linebacker corps must be rebuilt. The secondary lost three starters, and two of three starting defensive linemen must also be replaced.

Simply put, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are two of the best running backs in Georgia football history, and though the Bulldogs have lots of talent at the position, it will be difficult to replace the pair’s production and leadership. Javon Wims emerged as the top target for Jake Fromm, and the 6-foot-4 wideout was the top red zone threat on the roster. Left tackle Isaiah Wynn solidified the offensive line and was a pivotal performer on the unit, which showed huge improvement from 2016 to 2017.

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