August 9, 2007

David Fox
Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer

» OFFENSE: Quarterback | Running back | Fullback | Tight end | Wide receiver | Offensive line
» DEFENSE: Defensive line | Linebacker | Secondary
» SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker | Punter | Returner
» COACHES: Head coach | Off. coordinator | Def. coordinator | Position coach

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In this spot last year, Rivals.com tabbed Texas quarterbacks Colt McCoy and Jevan Snead as having the toughest follow-up job in the country.

The two freshmen entered fall practice vying to replace national champion quarterback Vince Young.

Young's shadow loomed so large it would take a Herculean effort to put memories of VY into the past.

Consider those shoes filled.

All McCoy did in his first season as the Longhorns' quarterback was throw 29 touchdown passes - an NCAA freshman record and a school record.

Third on our shoes-to-fill list last year was quarterback John David Booty, who replaced Heisman winner Matt Leinart at USC. A year later, Booty is a Heisman favorite heading into 2007.

There may be a McCoy or two in our list this season as players try to replace award winners and top draft picks.

We will identify departed stars and their replacement(s) in the Rivals.com All-Shoes-to-Fill team.

Rivals.com Toughest shoes to fill
Quarterback
Matt Flynn for JaMarcus Russell, LSU
Flynn has only one start in his career, an MVP performance in a 40-3 win over Miami in the Peach Bowl in 2005. That was a one-game, fill-in performance. Now, Flynn is being asked to quarterback the SEC favorite and a national championship contender in his senior season. Along the way, the Texan will have to replace the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. No pressure there.
Running back
Allen Patrick, et al, for Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
The Sooners already have a good idea who will fill the shoes for Peterson, who rushed for 4,045 yards over the last three seasons. Peterson missed seven games last year with a broken collarbone. In his absence, Patrick emerged as a top running threat with 761 yards and four touchdowns. Chris Brown and redshirt freshman DeMarco Murray will part of this replacement by committee.
Fullback
Jack Corcoran for Brian Leonard, Rutgers
In Rutgers' rise to respectability, Leonard became the face of Scarlet Knights football. Replacing him will be a group effort. Sophomore Jack Corcoran will become the fullback. Ray Rice will continue to be the offensive centerpiece. Receivers like Kenny Britt will become more active targets in the passing game. They can try to replace his production on the field, but it could be more difficult to replace his leadership and status as the face of the program.
Wide receiver
Patrick Turner for Dwayne Jarrett, USC
Steve Smith had one more catch and 68 more yards than Jarrett. However, Jarrett was the big, physical receiver that has become a USC trademark in recent years. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Turner has the measurables to be a big downfield target for the Trojans. After sitting behind Jarrett and Smith, Turner could be ready to make his mark as USC's next playmaking receiver.
James Johnson for Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
The Georgia Tech offense will have a different look with a new quarterback and a new coordinator. But the biggest change will be at receiver. James Johnson takes over for Calvin Johnson, the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft. James Johnson was productive (608 yards, seven touchdowns) last year, but he had the benefit of having Calvin Johnson lined up on the other side of the field.
Tight end
Dennis Pitta, for Jonny Harline, BYU
The Cougars are likely to use a few players to replace Harline (58 receptions, 935 yards, 12 touchdowns) and fellow tight end Daniel Coats (22-239-2). Pitta's career was off to a good start in 2004 before he left for a mission, but he returns to compete with Vic So'oto and Andrew George for playing time.
Offensive linemen
Jake Bscherer for Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
The Badgers have their sights set on winning the Big Ten, but will have a huge hole at left tackle. Thomas was the nation's best lineman last year, winning the Outland Trophy. Bscherer has only one career start, and that was as an extra tight end against Western Illinois. Making things tougher, the sophomore Bscherer will block for a new quarterback.
Andrew Hartline for Joe Staley, Central Michigan
First-round linemen don't often find their way to Central Michigan, but the Chippewas found one in Staley. Behind Staley, the 28th overall pick in the NFL Draft, Central Michigan won the MAC and featured the conference's top offense. Hartline is no rookie, but he will move to left tackle after starting 25 games at right tackle.
Cedric Dockery for Justin Blalock, Texas
Texas loses one of its longest tenured players in Blalock, who started a school-record 51 consecutive games at tackle or guard. Blalock actually filled the shoes of Dockery, who started six games at right guard before going down with an ACL injury. That forced Blalock to move from right tackle to right guard.
Tyronne Green for Ben Grubbs, Auburn
A Rivals.com All-American, Grubbs made 38 consecutive starts over the last three years. The Tigers had a 100-yard rusher in 26 of those games. Auburn goes into 2007 without a proven running back on an offense that needs a lift. The Tigers will have to do that with a first-time starter at left guard.
Mike Dent for Dan Mozes, West Virginia
The Mountaineers ran over opponents last year and were able to utilize the speed of Pat White and Steve Slaton. They were able to do so because of key blocks from Mozes, the Rimington Trophy winner. A former defensive end, Dent will be entrusted with snapping the ball in West Virginia's no-huddle, spread offense.
Defensive line
Brandon Graham for LaMarr Woodley, Michigan
Graham could have the toughest follow-up job on defense in the country. Woodley led Michigan's No. 1 rush defense last year while winning the Lombardi (top lineman) and Ted Hendricks (top defensive end) awards. Graham saw little action as a true freshman last year, recording three tackles. Graham is green, but a teammate says Graham is faster than Woodley.
Ricky Sapp for Gaines Adams, Clemson
For many teams, replacing a talent like Adams could be near impossible. Adams had 12.5 sacks last year before becoming the No. 4 pick in the NFL Draft. Sapp won't turn into Adams overnight, but he's better than your average replacement. A five-star prospect in 2006, Sapp was Clemson's defensive rookie of the year after picking up four sacks as a backup.
Barry Turner for Adam Carriker, Nebraska
The Cornhuskers have had little trouble churning out defensive ends in recent years. This year should not be an exception. Carriker ended his career in the school's top 10 for sacks and tackles for a loss, but the junior Turner is ready. He won't necessarily play the same position, but he should take over as Nebraska's sack leader. Turner was a Rivals.com Freshman All-American in 2005 as a pass-rush specialist, but he hopes to improve his play against the run.
Malcolm Sheppard for Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas
Anderson played a major part on the SEC West champion's defense last year with 13.5 sacks. Anderson is clearly a better pass rusher than Sheppard, who started one game last year as a true freshman. However, Sheppard could be better against the run. The Razorbacks still have Antwain Robinson (8.5 sacks) at the other end position.
Linebacker
Tony Fein for Patrick Willis, Ole Miss
Fein replaces a consensus All-American and the SEC's best linebacker. However, Ole Miss is in a unique position to replace their star with an older player. Fein, who spent two-and-a-half years in the Army before going to junior college, is three years older than Willis and almost identical in size at 6 feet 2, 245 pounds.
Brandon Spikes for Brandon Siler, Florida
Florida has shoes to fill all over the defense (lost nine starters), but middle linebacker is among the most pressing. Siler and fellow middle linebacker Channing Crowder before him have been the heart and soul of the defense in recent seasons. On the field and off the field, Spikes is poised to take over this spot.
Derek Nicholson for Buster Davis, Florida State
Other linebackers took home more accolades than Davis, a third-team Rivals.com All-American last year. However, that doesn't diminish Davis' status in Tallahassee. He helped hold together an injury-riddle defense with 109 tackles. One of those players that missed time last year was Nicholson, who missed all but five games with a torn ACL. In addition to possibly taking over Davis' middle linebacker spot, Nicholson has the added weight of playing in the shadow of his brother - former FSU linebacker A.J. Nicholson.
Secondary
Kyle Jackson for Reggie Nelson, Florida
A consensus All-American and major award finalist, Nelson was the top player on a national championship defense. The senior Jackson has started 12 career games at Florida, but replacing Nelson will be his toughest challenge. True freshman Major Wright is also a possibility to replace the Gators' star safety.
Curtis Taylor for LaRon Landry, LSU
Taylor only steps in for perhaps the best defensive player in LSU history. Landry began his career starting for the 2003 national champions and ended as an All-American and No. 6 overall draft pick. After two years as a backup, Taylor is set to start for a team with national championship aspirations.
Johnny Sears for Leon Hall, Michigan
One of two consensus All-Americans on the Michigan defense last year, Hall gave the Wolverines a shutdown corner to go with its outstanding run defense. Morgan Trent, who started at the other corner spot last year, returns. Sears will vie for the second corner position and will be pushed by true freshman Donovan Warren.
Brandon Foster for Aaron Ross, Texas
Texas' pass defense was criticized a bit last season, but that unit included the Thorpe Award winner Ross and first-round pick Michael Griffin. Foster is a quick fifth-year senior who is a likely starter at one of Texas' cornerback spots.
Kicker
Kevin Eberhart for Mason Crosby, Colorado
Eberhart steps in for three-time All-Big 12 selection Crosby and his strong leg. The Buffaloes have reason to be optimistic about Eberhart, though the senior hasn't played in a game since 2003.
Punter
Derek Epperson for Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
Replacing national award winners at Baylor doesn't happen all that often. The last two-time national award winner at Baylor was some guy named Singletary. Sepulveda is the first two-time winner of the Ray Guy Award. His replacement Epperson is a true freshman. At least he's on scholarship.
Returners
Ray Small and Maurice Wells for Ted Ginn, Jr., Ohio State
Through his career at Ohio State, Ginn was among the best returners in the country. He finished his career with eight touchdowns in the return game. Replacing him will be a group effort, with Small penciled in at punt returner and Wells at kickoff returner.
Head Coach
Steve Kragthorpe for Bobby Petrino, Louisville
Petrino inherited the foundation built by John L. Smith and took Louisville to greater heights. Before leaving for the Atlanta Falcons, Petrino led Louisville to its first Big East title and nine consecutive bowl games. The expectations could be greater for Kragthorpe, the former Tulsa coach. A Big East title, a shot at the national championship and a Heisman Trophy for Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm are all realistic possibilities.
Offensive Coordinator
Gary Crowton for Jimbo Fisher, LSU
It's tough to say who is under more pressure. Fisher left LSU for Florida State, where fans and boosters are anxious for a dramatic offensive turnaround. Crowton has one spring and one fall to install his offense and prepare for a national championship run with a first-year starting quarterback.
Defensive Coordinator
Duane Akina and Larry Mac Duff for Gene Chizik, Texas
Wherever Chizik has gone, winning has followed. Chizik was Auburn's defensive coordinator during its 13-0 season in 2004. The next year, he was co-defensive coordinator on Texas' undefeated national championship team. Akina is listed as co-defensive coordinator with Mac Duff, but Akina is the one who will be calling the shots. Mac Duff, though, is no newcomer. He was the defensive coordinator for Arizona's Desert Swarm defense in 1992 before going onto a career as an NFL assistant.
Position Coach
Greg Frey for Rick Trickett, West Virginia
If West Virginia's spread option attack is going to continue to run over opponents, much will depend on the defensive line. Like Fisher, Trickett is considered a savior on the Florida State staff ? and with good reason. He tutored a Rimington Award winner last year. Frey is at least familiar with the league. He coached South Florida's offensive line from 2000-06, the last two seasons with USF playing in the Big East.

David Fox is a national writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at dfox@rivals.com.