Next man up: 5 budding stars set to replace departed stalwarts

Out with the old, in with the new.

It's a way of life in college football, and it ensures that a crop of new stars are born each season to replace the departed ones of yesteryear.

Some programs will struggle to move on from their former workhorse, but these five teams were savvy enough to line up talented replacements in advance:

Ohio State

Out: QB J.T. Barrett
In: QB Dwayne Haskins

Buckeye Nation began clamoring for Haskins to replace Barrett at quarterback last season, as his numbers in limited action were off the charts. Now, Haskins has had two years to learn Ohio State's system, and there's a good chance he turns out to be a better version of the man he's replacing. The 21-year-old defeated Tate Martell for the starting job this offseason in a competition that was never all that close.

Alabama

Out: LB Rashaan Evans
In: LB Dylan Moses

The linebacker factory known as Alabama is set to churn out its next star, and this one is named Dylan Moses. The former five-star recruit is taking over for first-round pick Rashaan Evans as the Crimson Tide's strong-side linebacker. He was selected to the SEC All-Freshman team last year after collecting 30 tackles, including 5.5 for loss.

Clemson

Out: WR Deon Cain
In: WR Tee Higgins

Higgins contributed 17 catches for 345 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman last season, but he was kept a secret, for the most part, by a Clemson program keeping its eye on the future. The 6-foot-4 Higgins will give Kelly Bryant a massive target down the field and in red-zone situations, and will have an opportunity to become the Tigers' top perimeter wideout with Hunter Renfrow dominating in the slot.

Oklahoma

Out: QB Baker Mayfield
In: QB Kyler Murray

Murray has all the talent in the world and appears poised to finally put it all together on the gridiron before heading off to play professional baseball for the Oakland Athletics next year. A former five-star recruit, the dual-threat pivot fizzled at Texas A&M before transferring to Oklahoma, where he spent the last two years as an understudy to Mayfield. The 21-year-old Murray's got the arm and the legs to thrive in coach Lincoln Riley's spread system.

USC

Out: RB Ronald Jones II
In: RB Stephen Carr

Jones was a star in the backfield for USC last season, but the Trojans were always extremely high on his freshman backup. The 6-foot, 205-pound Carr figures to be the Trojans' new workhorse and might have even more upside than his predecessor. He's got the power to bruise his way through the trenches, the breakaway speed to run past defenders, and the hands to contribute as a steady pass-catcher.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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