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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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STILLWATER, OK – SEPTEMBER 17 : Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks to throw against the Pittsburgh Panthers September 17, 2016 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State defeated Pitt 45-38. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – SEPTEMBER 17 : Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks to throw against the Pittsburgh Panthers September 17, 2016 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State defeated Pitt 45-38. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
  • Early NFL Draft Entrants: 0
  • Starters Lost: 10 (6 Offense, 4 Defense)
  • Two-Deep Lost: 18 (8 Offense, 10 Defense)
  • Passing Yards Returning: 155 (3.06 percent)
  • Rushing Yards Returning: 2,334 (93.6 percent)
  • Receiving Yards Returning: 2,095 (41.33 percent)
  • Tackles Returning: 279 (40.6 percent)

Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph was even more productive as Jackson in the passing game, having thrown for 13,618 yards and 92 touchdowns in four seasons with the Cowboys. Rudolph led the nation with 4,904 passing yards as a senior and finished No. 11 all-time on the FBS leaderboard. He also finished sixth in history in yards per pass attempt (9.9), 11th in total yards per play (8.2) and 15th in total yards (13,646).

And though the Cowboys are in a far better situation than Louisville in terms of returning rushing production, the receiving corps was hit hard – as was the Oklahoma State defense, which must replace the top three tacklers from last year, and nearly 60 percent of the team’s total tackles.

It will be most difficult to replace Biletnikoff Award winner James Washington, who paired with Rudolph to be one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in FBS history. Washington finished his career No. 7 on the all-time FBS list with 4,472 receiving yards and ranks 16th all-time with 39 career touchdown catches.

Washington, who led the nation with 1,549 yards and averaged 20.9 yards per catch as a senior, isn’t the only 1,000-yard wideout Oklahoma State must replace in 2018. Marcell Ateman ranked second on the team in every major receiving category, totaling 59 receptions for 1,156 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging an impressive 19.6 yards per reception in the process.

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