Replacements for CFB’s Big-Name Dismissals

Out: RB Isaiah Crowell

In: RB Todd Gurley

The wave of big-name dismissals that dominated college football headlines this summer has come and gone. We tell you what you need to know about who is stepping into those players’ shoes.

Crowell’s dismissal following his June arrest on three weapons charges (he's since transferred to FCS Alabama State) leaves the Bulldogs’ tailback duties in the hands of Gurley (pictured), a four-star freshman recruit from North Carolina. Gurley’s size (6-foot-1, 218 pounds), jersey number (3) and dreadlocks have teammates already comparing him to former Alabama star Trent Richardson (comparisons that Gurley scoffs at).

If Gurley can prevent opposing defenses from game-planning entirely against QB Aaron Murray (35 passing TDs in 2011), Georgia will be in the thick of the SEC East race once again.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas/US Presswire

Out: S Ray-Ray Armstrong

In: S AJ Highsmith/Kacy Rodgers

Lesson No. 1 to Highsmith and Rodgers: Be careful how you use Instagram and other social media tools.

Lesson No. 2: How to play safety, a position that neither Highsmith nor Rodgers has a lot of experience at. Highsmith (pictured), whose father Alonzo is a former Hurricane, has only played defense for one season, having backed up Jacory Harris at QB in 2009 and 2010 before switching to the other side of the ball in 2011.

Rodgers, meanwhile, only started playing safety when he arrived at Miami, having played cornerback exclusively in high school. Whichever of the two ends up starting has a ways to go until they become the ball-hawk that Armstrong was while Ray-Ray takes his talents to Alabama's Faulkner University of the NAIA.

Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell/US Presswire

Out: CB Greg Reid

In: CB Nick Waisome/Ronald Darby

Even without Reid, the Seminoles return 15 starters, including a front four that might be the best in the country. So FSU doesn’t need a savior at the cornerback/kick returner position.

Waisome, who Greg Reid spoke with after being dismissed, was a part of FSU’s widely-praised recruiting Class of 2011 and was initially thought to be the guy to step in and fill the void left by Reid.

But don’t be surprised if he’s passed by Darby (pictured) in the running for a starting job. Jimbo Fisher told the Orlando Sentinel last week, “Waisome did some good things [in Thursday’s scrimmage] … But [Darby] is going to be a very, very good one."

Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb/US Presswire

Out: CB Tyrann Mathieu

In: CB Jalen Collins

Collins redshirted in 2011 and came on strong during LSU’s spring drills, receiving the team’s “Most Improved” award as a result.

The departure of the "Honey Badger," as well as No. 6 overall NFL draft pick Morris Claiborne, leaves the Tigers thinner in the secondary. But junior safety Eric Reid — himself a potential high draft pick — is capable of leading Collins and other younger members of the defense.

A front four that includes DEs Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo will also help.

Photo Credit: Spruce Derden/US Presswire