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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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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 30: Hawkeyes linebacker Josey Jewell (43) prepares for a snap during a Big Ten Conference NCAA football game between Michigan State and Iowa on September 30, 2017, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 30: Hawkeyes linebacker Josey Jewell (43) prepares for a snap during a Big Ten Conference NCAA football game between Michigan State and Iowa on September 30, 2017, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
  • Early NFL Draft Entrants: 2 (OL James Daniels, CB Joshua Jackson)
  • Starters Lost: 11 (5 Offense, 6 Defense)
  • Two-Deep Lost: 14 (7 Offense, 7 Defense)
  • Passing Yards Returning: 2,440 (100 percent)
  • Rushing Yards Returning: 518 (25.5 percent)
  • Receiving Yards Returning: 1,648 (66.2 percent)
  • Tackles Returning: 324 (48 percent)

Iowa hasn’t talent on the same elite level USC and Florida State, but the Hawkeyes were nevertheless hit with multiple early NFL Draft defections, and must also replace a handful of highly productive seniors from the 2017 roster.

Two Iowa defenders were voted unanimous All-Americans. Linebacker Josey Jewell led the Hawkeyes with 101.5 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 18 run stuffs. Jewell was responsible for 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups and a forced fumble as well. Jewell is one of five senior starters the Hawkeyes must replace in 2018. Fellow linebackers Bo Bower and Ben Niemann ranked second and third, respectively, behind Jewell on the team tackling leaderboard. The pair combined for 9.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, 19 run stuffs, one interception, three forced fumbles and seven pass breakups.

Cornerback Josh Jackson, the second unanimous All-American on the defense, ranked fifth on the squad in tackles and tied for the FBS lead with eight interceptions. Jackson recorded half a tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one run stuff as well. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound junior opted to leave school early for the pros, where he will likely be a first or second round pick, joining offensive lineman James Daniels in the decision.

Offensively, the Hawkeyes also lost running backs Akrum Wadley and James Butler to graduation, who combined for nearly three-quarters of the team’s rushing yardage in 2017, as well as fullback Drake Kulick, receiver Matt VandeBerg and guard Sean Welsh.

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