College Football Teams Needing to Replace the Most NFL Talent in 2024

The college football world experienced shockwaves on Wednesday afternoon, as news broke that Alabama head coach Nick Saban would be retiring. After six national titles over the course of 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa, it marks the end of one of the greatest runs in college football history. Saban’s potential list of replacements includes Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian and DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans, among others.

For whoever takes over in Tuscaloosa, most of the big-name departures come on defense.

The Tide have three guys likely to land in the first round. The highest is offensive tackle JC Latham, mocked by both CBS Sports and B/R to land at No. 7 overall to the Tennessee Titans.

Edge-rusher Dallas Turner, who led the Tide with 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2023, is ranked 11th overall per B/R. CBS Sports has him going No. 9 overall to the Chicago Bears, with B/R putting him with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 17 overall.

Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, who’s accounted for 93 total tackles, two sacks and 23 passes defended over three seasons with the Tide, ranks 14th overall per B/R. He is projected to go No. 22 overall to the Los Angeles Rams by B/R and 19th to the Green Bay Packers by CBS Sports.

Fellow cornerback Terrion Arnold has also declared for the NFL draft, ranked 66th overall by CBS Sports. Alabama’s fourth-leading tackler, Justin Eboigbe, is the ninth-ranked defensive lineman per CBS Sports, as well.

Alabama leading receiver Jermaine Burton, who finished 2023 with 798 yards and eight touchdowns, is ranked 78th overall per B/R.