Replacing a star
by Dan Kadar
Now that the NFL Draft has come and gone, several of the top college across the nation are looking for a way to replace their top players. Here are some to keep an eye on this fall:
Virginia
Who: Defensive end Sean Gottschalk, sophomore
Replacing: Chris Long
Long was so well-regarded at Virginia that his jersey was retired before he even finished playing. Gottschalk is a large end, somewhat similar to Long, he’s coming off shoulder surgery that kept him out of the spring game. Gottschalk played in nine games last season, recording four tackles.
Boston College
Who: Quarterback Chris Crane, senior
Replacing: Matt Ryan
Crane will attempt to replace the ACC’s single-season passing yards leader in Ryan. Crane’s only collegiate start came in 2006 against Buffalo and in 2007, he threw just four passes. In Boston College’s spring game, the 6-foot-4, 236-pound Crane went 18-for-35 for 155 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Arkansas
Who: Running back Michael Smith, junior
Replacing: Darren McFadden and Felix Jones
The diminutive Smith (5-foot-7, 176 pounds) won’t be the only back carrying the ball for the Razorbacks, but he’ll likely be the starter. Even with McFadden, Jones and fullback Peyton Hillis getting most of the carries, Smith still rushed for 303 yards last season. In Arkansas’ spring game, Smith had 157 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Louisiana State
Who: Defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, junior
Replacing: Glenn Dorsey
The Tigers have rolled through several quality collegiate tackles including Dorsey, Claude Wroten, Kyle Williams, Chad Lavalais. Jean-Francois is the latest. At 6-foot-3, 281 pounds, Jean-Francois is a disruptive lineman who earned Defensive MVP honors in the national championship game. The Tigers may use a rotation which will ease the burden on Jean-Francois.
Ohio State
Who: Defensive end Lawrence Wilson, junior
Replacing: Vernon Gholston
Coming out of high school, Wilson was one of the top recruits for the Buckeyes this decade. He has the size and speed to be a dominant lineman but he missed most of last season after breaking his leg. Many thought he would have split time with Gholston last season and compare Wilson to former Buckeye Will Smith.
Florida
Who: Defensive end Carlos Dunlap, sophomore
Replacing: Derrick Harvey
Following an up-and-down freshman season, Dunlap looked dominant in the spring. He’s even bigger and faster than Harvey at 6-foot-6 and a 290 pounds while running a 4.70 40-yard dash. In Florida’s spring game, he had four sacks.
Southern California
Who: Outside linebacker Kaluka Maiava, senior
Replacing: Keith Rivers
The nephew of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Maiava started a game at weak-side linebacker last season. He saw action in all 13 contests, recording 44 tackles. Maiava would have been a starter already for just about any other team in the nation.
Tennessee
Who: Middle linebacker Ellix Wilson, senior
Replacing: Jerod Mayo
Mayo surprised coaches by leaving Tennessee a year early after finishing 2007 with an SEC-high 140 tackles. The undersized Wilson (5-foot-10, 225 pounds), finished last year with 30 tackles and three sacks. To help Wilson is weak-side linebacker Rico McCoy, an all-conference performer.
Oregon
Who: Running back Jeremiah Johnson, senior
Replacing: Jonathan Stewart
Through six games last season, Johnson had 344 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He missed the rest of the season with a knee injury. Johnson is expected to be fully healthy in the fall after sitting out spring practice to rehab. He’s not quite as big and athletic as Stewart but is a strong back.
Louisville
Who: Quarterback Hunter Cantwell, senior
Replacing: Brian Brohm
Cantwell has the tough task of replacing one of the most heralded players in Louisville history. During his career, the strong-armed Cantwell has four starts but threw just four passes in 2007. Many expect the 6-foot-5 Cantwell to become a top draft prospect.