College Football Teams Needing to Replace the Most NFL Talent in 2025

The 2024-2025 college football season promises to be one of immense change, as programs across the nation face the challenge of replacing some of their most talented players who have declared for the NFL Draft. With top-tier talent leaving for the pros, these teams will need to rebuild and replenish their rosters in order to maintain their competitive edge. As we look toward the 2025 season, some programs will face more significant hurdles than others, as they attempt to replace elite NFL talent and secure their futures in the world of college football.

In this article, we will examine the teams that will be the most impacted by the departure of their top NFL-bound players. These teams will need to find new leaders on the field, particularly in critical positions like quarterback, wide receiver, defensive line, and linebacker. Additionally, we will explore how the landscape of college football will shift as a result of these departures, and what the future might look like for these programs in 2025 and beyond.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide have long been a factory for NFL talent, and the 2025 season will be no exception. Under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has consistently churned out first-round picks and NFL stars, and 2024 was no different. As Alabama heads into the 2025 season, they will need to replace some truly high-level talent.

NFL Talent Departures:

• Bryce Young (QB): The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, Young has been the face of the Alabama offense for the past two years. His ability to lead, combined with his uncanny poise and playmaking ability, has made him one of the top quarterbacks in college football. Replacing Young will be a monumental task, as the Tide will need a new leader under center.
• Will Anderson Jr. (EDGE): Anderson is arguably the most talented defensive player in Alabama’s history, with elite pass-rushing skills and the ability to disrupt every part of the opposing offense. His departure will leave a massive hole in the Crimson Tide’s defense, one that could take years to fill.
• Jahmyr Gibbs (RB): Gibbs’ ability as both a rusher and receiver made him one of the most dynamic running backs in college football. His versatility and explosiveness will be tough to replace, especially in a program that relies on its running game to set the tone.

Challenges Ahead:

Replacing a player like Bryce Young, who is not only a Heisman winner but also a future NFL star, will be the most pressing challenge for Alabama. The quarterback position is arguably the most important on the field, and finding a successor to Young’s skill set and leadership will require a seamless transition. Additionally, replacing a player like Will Anderson, who was a game-changer on the defensive side, will leave a significant void that defensive coordinator Pete Golding will need to fill. Fortunately for Alabama, their recruiting prowess is second to none, and the Tide will undoubtedly bring in top-tier talent to help replace these NFL-caliber players. However, it will still take time for young players to adjust to the college game.

2. Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs have established themselves as one of the premier programs in college football under head coach Kirby Smart. The 2024 season saw the Bulldogs secure a national championship, and now, they will need to replace a wealth of talent as several key players are heading to the NFL.

NFL Talent Departures:

• Jalen Carter (DT): Carter is a dominant force on the defensive line, and his departure to the NFL will create a significant gap in Georgia’s defense. As one of the most disruptive defensive players in college football, Carter’s ability to collapse the pocket and stop the run made him a key component of Georgia’s success.
• Stetson Bennett (QB): Bennett’s leadership and clutch performances in critical moments helped guide Georgia to multiple championships, and while not always regarded as a top-tier NFL prospect, his experience and ability to manage the game were invaluable to the Bulldogs’ success. Georgia will need a new face under center to replace Bennett’s steady hand.
• Kenny McIntosh (RB): McIntosh was a workhorse in Georgia’s backfield, handling the bulk of the carries and providing leadership in the running game. His ability to contribute as both a runner and a receiver out of the backfield made him one of the most versatile players in the nation.

Challenges Ahead:

Replacing a player of Jalen Carter’s caliber on the defensive line will be one of the biggest challenges for Georgia. Carter was able to impact every play, drawing double teams and making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. With the loss of Bennett, who helped orchestrate Georgia’s high-powered offense, the Bulldogs will need to find a new quarterback who can take control of the team and lead them to success. Given Georgia’s impressive recruiting classes, it’s likely that they will have talented quarterbacks ready to step in, but it will take time to build chemistry and leadership.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State is another program with a long history of producing top-tier NFL talent, and the 2025 season will be no different. With numerous high-profile players heading to the NFL, the Buckeyes will face the difficult task of replacing several key contributors on both sides of the ball.

NFL Talent Departures:

• C.J. Stroud (QB): Stroud was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football during his time at Ohio State. His accuracy, poise, and ability to make big plays down the field helped elevate the Buckeyes’ offense to elite status. Replacing Stroud’s arm and leadership will be one of the most pressing concerns for Ohio State as they head into 2025.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR): Smith-Njigba is widely regarded as one of the best wide receivers in recent college football history. His ability to make contested catches and his chemistry with Stroud made him one of the most dangerous weapons in college football. His departure will leave a massive void in the receiving corps, and the Buckeyes will need someone to step up and fill the role.
• Paris Johnson Jr. (OT): Johnson is a top offensive tackle prospect who has been a staple on Ohio State’s offensive line. His protection of Stroud and his ability to control the line of scrimmage were integral to Ohio State’s success. Losing a player of his caliber will force the Buckeyes to find new offensive line talent to ensure the success of their offense.

Challenges Ahead:

Ohio State’s biggest challenge in 2025 will be replacing Stroud, whose ability to lead and throw with precision allowed the Buckeyes to remain one of the top offenses in the nation. The wide receiver room will also need to be replenished, as losing a player like Smith-Njigba, who was a dynamic playmaker, will require a new star to emerge. Fortunately for Ohio State, their recruiting classes have been elite, and they will likely have a talented quarterback ready to step in. However, it’s difficult to replicate the playmaking ability of Stroud and Smith-Njigba in just one season.

4. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan, under head coach Jim Harbaugh, has firmly reestablished itself as one of the premier programs in college football. With back-to-back Big Ten championships, the Wolverines are poised to continue their success in 2025. However, they will have to replace some key players who are heading to the NFL.

NFL Talent Departures:

• Blake Corum (RB): Corum’s ability to run the football and control the tempo of games was central to Michigan’s offensive success. His quickness, vision, and power made him one of the top running backs in college football, and replacing him will be a challenge for Michigan’s offense.
• Mazi Smith (DT): Smith was a key cog in Michigan’s defensive line, providing pressure in the backfield and solidifying the run defense. His ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt plays made him one of the best defensive tackles in the country.
• DJ Turner (CB): Turner’s lockdown ability in the secondary was one of the reasons Michigan’s defense was so formidable. With a number of NFL-caliber quarterbacks on Michigan’s schedule, Turner’s ability to cover the opposing team’s best receiver was a key to the Wolverines’ success.

Challenges Ahead:

Replacing Corum, who was a do-it-all back for Michigan, will require the Wolverines to find a new playmaker in the backfield. While Michigan has talent in the running back room, Corum’s ability to break tackles and maintain balance was unmatched. Additionally, replacing Smith on the defensive line will create a hole in the front seven, and DJ Turner’s absence in the secondary will test the Wolverines’ depth at cornerback. Michigan’s success in 2025 will rely heavily on their ability to develop new stars to replace these key departures.

5. LSU Tigers

LSU has long been a factory for producing NFL talent, and the 2024-2025 season will be no different. With head coach Brian Kelly at the helm, LSU is poised to continue competing at the highest level, but they will need to replace some significant talent heading to the NFL.

NFL Talent Departures:

• Kayshon Boutte (WR): Boutte was one of the most explosive wide receivers in college football. His ability to stretch the field and create big plays in the passing game made him a dynamic threat. LSU will need a new receiver to emerge as the go-to target for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
• Jarrick Bernard-Converse (CB): Bernard-Converse was a key part of LSU’s secondary, providing tight coverage and playmaking ability. His departure will leave a gap in the Tigers’ defense that will require a new cornerback to step up.
• Maason Smith (DT): Smith was an elite talent on LSU’s defensive line, capable of controlling the line of scrimmage and disrupting opposing offenses. Replacing his ability to collapse the pocket and stop the run will be challenging for LSU.

Challenges Ahead:

LSU will need to find new contributors on both sides of the ball, as they lose players who were crucial to their success. The wide receiver corps will need to step up in the absence of Boutte, while the defense will need to replenish its talent at cornerback and defensive tackle. While LSU has been a recruiting powerhouse, 2025 will be a test of their ability to develop young players into impact starters.