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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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OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 21: LSU Tigers defensive back Donte Jackson runs onto the field with his teammates before the start of a NCAA college football game against the Mississippi Rebels on October 21, 2017, at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium in Oxford, MS. LSU won 40-24. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 21: LSU Tigers defensive back Donte Jackson runs onto the field with his teammates before the start of a NCAA college football game against the Mississippi Rebels on October 21, 2017, at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium in Oxford, MS. LSU won 40-24. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
  • Early NFL Draft Entrants: 6 (DE/LB Arden Key, RB Derrius Guice, CB Donte Jackson, Kevin Toliver, T Toby Weathersby, C Will Clapp)
  • Starters Lost: 14 (8 Offense, 6 Defense)
  • Two-Deep Lost: 18 (9 Offense, 9 Defense)
  • Passing Yards Returning: 182 (6.88 percent)
  • Rushing Yards Returning: 230 (8.01 percent)
  • Receiving Yards Returning: 962 (36.37 percent)
  • Tackles Returning:5 (58 percent)

Fans may have noticed LSU was absent from our Way-Too-Early Top 25. The loss of talent and experience from the 2017 roster – a roster that fortunate to only lose four games – is the biggest reason why.

LSU lost six underclassmen to the NFL Draft, which tied Florida State for the most in the nation. Therefore, the Tigers must replace a total of 14 starters from last year’s squad – tied for the second most in the country. Depth also took a hit, as LSU must replace 18 players from the two-deep depth chart, which ranks third among Power Five programs behind TCU and Ole Miss.

When looking at the LSU football roster for 2018, it’s difficult to see how the team will score. Highlighted by Derrius Guice and backup Darrel Williams (who ranked second on the team with 820 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns and 331 receiving yards), the team must replace its top four rushers from last season. Explosive wide receiver D.J, Chark, who averaged 21.9 yards per catch, is out of eligibility, as is Russell Gage, who tied Chark atop the team leaderboard with three touchdown receptions.

Next: 10 CFB teams poised to break out in 2018

The team is also moving forward without its three best offensive linemen, graduated left tackle K.J. Malone and two early NFL Draft entrants, center Will Clapp and right tackle Toby Weathersby. And the defense was hit nearly as hard. Three defenders opted to begin their professional careers early, while three senior starters and four key contributors are out of eligibility.

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