College Football: Replacements for every first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft

8. Texas football replacement for Bijan Robinson (Falcons): Jonathon Brooks

Replacing a running back who accounted for 1,894 scrimmage yards and 20 total touchdowns last season is obviously not easy. However, Texas under Steve Sarkisian is uniquely positioned to do that after losing Bijan Robinson — even with Roschon Johnson also being gone.

It’s likely that Jonathon Brooks will be the starter to begin the season, and that’s actually more reason to be excited than some might think. Brooks saw limited work but has averaged 6.7 yards per carry over the past two seasons along with scoring six times.

Having said that, 5-star newcomer Cedric Baxter is the talk of the town in terms of his ability and figures to be in the mix. If he lives up to the billing right away, he could be the starter in the Longhorns backfield before the season is over.

9. Georgia football replacement for Jalen Carter (Eagles): Warren Brinson

Georgia fans got a good glimpse at who they believed would be the obvious next-in-line after Jalen Carter at the defensive line factory when Bear Alexander got a hefty amount of work in the natty as the Dawgs were dismantling TCU. But then Alexander shifted things pretty drastically by entering the transfer portal after spring camp and heading out west to USC.

This is Athens we’re talking about, though, and they still have more great talent waiting on the assembly line. Warren Brinson is the easy candidate to replace Carter as the starter with his experience after playing 272 snaps a year ago. But that also underscores the larger point. Georgia rotates its defensive line routinely throughout every game, so we’re sure to see Zion Logue, Christian Miller, Jordan Hall and more often in the trenches for the Bulldogs.