College football teams hurt most by 2024 NFL Draft departures

These college football teams need to reload after losing talent to the NFL Draft

James Parks | Mar 7, 2024

College football teams hurt most by 2024 NFL Draft departures /

With the early deadline for entering names into the 2024 NFL Draft having already passed, most of the best draft-eligible talent among the college football ranks have made their intentions known and are heading to the next level. With that, coaches are left picking up the pieces and reloading their rosters in time for next season.

What college football programs will have to do the most work as the draft deadline passes heading into the National Signing Day period next month? Here's your look at those teams that have their work cut out for them before the 2024 season.

Alabama

Incoming head coach Kalen DeBoer inherits plenty of talent from Nick Saban's recruiting colossus, but the Crimson Tide also loses wide receiver Jermaine Burton, blocker JC Latham, and tailback Jase McClellan, while on defense, edge rusher Dallas Turner and defensive backs Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are turning pro.

Florida State

Mike Norvell has plenty of turnover ahead as defending ACC champions with key scoring pieces like back Trey Benson and receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman in addition to tight end Jaheim Bell leaving, as is elite edge rusher Jared Verse, who had 9 sacks this past season.

LSU

LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly on the sideline during a college football game in the SEC. — USA Today Images

Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels won't return to this offense after exhausting his eligibility, and replacement quarterback Garrett Nussmeier returns in 2024 without key receiving targets like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, who are heading to the NFL. LSU's problematic defense is losing Mekhi Wingo and Maason Smith off the line, two crucial holes in the team's front seven going forward.

Clemson

A key piece of Dabo Swinney's offense is out as tailback Will Shipley declared for the NFL Draft, but Phil Mafah will return behind quarterback Cade Klubnik in 2024. A skilled defense is about to lose linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. and star cornerback Nate Wiggins.

Notre Dame

Although important pieces on this defense will return, the Fighting Irish will undergo serious turnover on the other side of the ball as quarterback Sam Hartman and tailback Audric Estime turn pro, in addition to elite offensive tackles like Joe Alt and Blake Fisher.

Michigan

College football's reigning national champions will get running back Donovan Edwards and edge rusher Josiah Stewart back on the field in 2024, but they won't have quarterback J.J. McCarthy despite his having a year of eligibility left, while star back Blake Corum and wide receiver Roman Wilson are out.

USC

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner as the best player in college football. — USA Today Images

Lincoln Riley takes the Trojans into the Big Ten without key offensive personnel, most importantly star quarterback Caleb Williams, a player who some analysts project could be the No. 1 overall pick. That's in addition to wide receiver Brenden Rice and lead tailback MarShawn Lloyd, the transfer from South Carolina who ran for 820 yards this past season.

Washington

Few programs in college football have lost as much as the Huskies, who will go from playing for a national title to losing vital players and their head coach, as Kalen DeBoer heads to Alabama. New coach Jedd Fisch will have to replace star quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. in addition to wide receivers Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja'Lynn Polk, who had 27 combined touchdowns this season.

Texas

Steve Sarkisian returns key contributors as the Longhorns head into the SEC, but he also loses important playmakers on offense like wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, and on defense with linemen T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy, key to Texas' elite run defense, while linebacker Jaylen Ford and cornerback Ryan Watts are also going pro.

North Carolina

Mack Brown is about to lose another uber-productive quarterback as Drake Maye leaves school for the NFL while Tar Heels wide receiver Tez Walker is also heading to the league early. But perhaps more importantly, UNC's fragile defense says goodbye to lineman Myles Murphy and linebacker Cedric Gray.

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Published Mar 7, 2024

JAMES PARKS

James Parks is the founder and publisher of College Football HQ. He previously covered football for 247Sports and CBS Interactive. College Football HQ joined the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network in 2022.