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Each year, in addition to graduation, college football teams must not only replace those seniors but also extremely talented underclassmen who declare early for the NFL draft.
Here’s a closer look at the SEC West, players who are leaving early and their potential replacements for the upcoming 2016 season.
ALABAMA
RB Derrick Henry – What needs to be said about the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner? He led the nation in rushing with 2,219 yards, which ranks fifth all-time in FBS history. He was the key to Alabama winning the national championship.
Replacement – The Tide have a pair of five-star athletes waiting in the wings. The 5-11, 205-pound Kentucky product Damien Harris was considered the best back in the country coming out of high school. He played in nine games this past season and rushed for 157 yards and one touchdown. The bigger back (6-2, 235), Bo Scarbrough comes from Alabama’s own backyard in Tuscaloosa. He played in four games this past season, rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown.
DL A’Shawn Robinson – A major disruptor at the line of scrimmage, Robinson helped Alabama stuff the run and control the line of scrimmage. The Tide led the nation, allowing an average of just 75.7 yards per game.
Replacement – The Crimson Tide are deep along the defensive line, especially since junior Jonathan Allen decided to come back for his senior season. He is a first team All-SEC selection by both coaches and the AP. He was second in the SEC with 12 sacks (ninth nationally). Alabama will be loaded once again on the defensive line of scrimmage, and Allen will be the heart and soul at the position.
ARKANSAS
RB Alex Collins – In just three seasons, Collins rushed for 3,703 yards – second-most in Razorbacks history. He became just the third player in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. Arkansas’ all-time leading rusher Darren McFadden and Georgia’s Herschel Walker are the only other two to accomplish that feat.
Replacement – Hard-pressed to replace this prolific back, Arkansas has three potential candidates. Big back Kody Walker (6-2, 256) appears to be the frontrunner heading into his senior year. He played in nine games in 2015, carried 90 times for 394 yards and six touchdowns. Freshman Rawleigh Williams (5-10, 215) played in seven games and rushed for 254 yards in 56 carries. Arkansas has also recruited Devwah Whaley, one of the top high school backs in the country, in the class of 2016.
TE Hunter Henry – The John Mackey Award winner finished his career at Arkansas with 1,661 yards and nine touchdowns on 116 catches over 38 games and is one of the best blocking tight ends in the country.
Replacement – Jeremy Sprinkle will be a senior next year. He played in 12 games, starting seven, in 2015 and had a season-high 81 yards and a touchdown on four catches in the Liberty Bowl game. In three years at Arkansas, Sprinkle has accumulated 38 catches for 541 yards and seven touchdowns.
OT Denver Kirkland – Plowing the way for Arkansas’ running game, Kirkland played both guard and tackle and should be very good at the next level.
Replacement – It appears as though freshmen will have to step up next season. Johnny Gibson (6-4, 330) or Brian Wallace (6-6, 317) could be the frontrunners.
AUBURN
RB Peyton Barber – A bright spot in an otherwise dismal season, Barber rushed for 1,071 yards and 13 touchdowns on 238 carries.
Replacement – The Tigers have options. Jovon Robinson, Kerryon Johnson and Roc Thomas have displayed flashes of brilliance and are very capable to step up next season. Which one is the question.
OT Shon Coleman – His battle with leukemia well-documented. Shon Coleman played in all 13 games of the 2015 season, anchoring the Tigers’ offensive line.
Replacement – Robert Leff (6-6, 288) is next on the depth chart. In three seasons, Leff has played in every game.
OT Avery Young – Played in all 13 games of the 2015 season and the versatile Avery has played four positions along the line.
Replacement – Freshman Mike Horton is next on the depth chart, but Texas transfer Darius James is also expected to vie for playing time.
LSU
OT Jerald Hawkins – A rock on the Tigers’ offensive line over the last three season, Hawkins’ athletic ability will be difficult to replicate.
Replacement – K.J. Malone, son of NBA star Karl Malone, is next on the depth chart, but many believe that C Ethan Pocic will move to tackle to fill the void.
OLE MISS
DT Robert Nkemdiche – The three-year starter was among the school’s best-ever recruiting classes that helped the Rebels back to prominence in the SEC West.
Replacement – Redshirt freshman Breeland Speaks appears to be capable. In filling in for Nkemdiche, he recorded 5.5 tackles for loss.
OT Laremy Tunsil – Another in that epic class, started three seasons his play on the field proves he is NFL ready.
Replacement – Redshirt freshman Sean Rawlings saw playing time this season, but highly-rated true freshman Gregory Little is also a possibility.
WR Laquon Treadwell – Also a highlight of the 2013 recruiting class, Treadwell lived up to all the hype, even after a devastating leg injury late in the 2014 season.
Replacement – Washington transfer Damore’ea Stringfellow appears to be next in line. The 6-3, 220-pound redshirt sophomore played in 12 games, starting five in 2015. He caught 36 passes for 503 yards and five touchdowns.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
WR De’Runnya Wilson – A second-team All-SEC performer, Wilson was second in the conference with 10 touchdown receptions. In his career, Wilson caught 133 passes for 1,949 yards and 22 touchdowns (second all-time in school history).
Replacement – A trio of experienced receivers will compete for playing time. That group includes JUCO Donald Gray, sophomore Gabe Myles and freshman Malik Dear.
DT Chris Jones – Jones recorded 102 tackles, including 18 for loss and 8.5 sacks over his stellar career with the Bulldogs.
Replacement – Nick James and Torrey Dale appear to be next in line and should battle in the spring for playing time.
LB Beniquez Brown – One tackle shy of 100 for the season, Brown recorded 11 tackles for loss including four sacks.
Replacement – DeAndre Ward is next on the depth chart but should be challenged for playing time by a plethora of prospects.
TEXAS A&M
OT Germain Ifedi – The three-year starter was rock solid on the Aggies’ offensive line despite the number of penalties called against him.
Replacement – Redshirt freshman Koda Martin is next on the depth chart. The 6-6, 300-pounder played in six games during the 2015 season.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
