College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 for 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the second half of the Alabama Crimson Tide's game versus the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 28: Auburn Tigers wide receiver Seth Williams (18) celebrates the touchdown of Auburn Tigers wide receiver Darius Slayton (81) during the Music City Bowl game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Auburn Tigers at Nissan Stadium on December 28, 2018 in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Steve Roberts/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Key returners: JaTarvious Whitlow, Kam Martin, Darius Slayton, Seth Williams, Marlon Davidson, Nick Coe, Derrick Brown, Jeremiah Dinson, Javaris Davis, Daniel Thomas
Key departures: Jarrett Stidham, Ryan Davis, Jamel Dean, Deshaun Davis, Darrell Williams, Dontavius Russell
Coaching change: Kenny Dillingham hired to replace Chip Lindsey as offensive coordinator

The Jarrett Stidham era in Auburn is officially over, and it ended on a high note as the Tigers dismantled Purdue to reach eight wins in the Music City Bowl.

Losing Stidham definitely hurts, but the Tigers have a few talented athletes to replace the junior quarterback who declared a year early for the NFL draft. First, there’s Malik Willis who will be a junior, then there’s the former four-star athlete and top-50 recruit Joey Gatewood who’ll be in his second year and then there’s incoming freshman, and another top-50 recruit, Bo Nix.

Gus Malzahn has a talented group of athletes to fill in at quarterback but guys like JaTarvious Whitlow, Kam Martin and Darius Slayton returning should help ease the new guy into the position.

Defensively, the Tigers should be back to normal, especially with Nick Coe, Marlon Davidson and Daniel Thomas back, to name a few. This side of the ball should be a strength for the Tigers in 2019. It’s not out of the realm of possibility to see this team in the top-20 to begin the 2019 campaign.

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