The top-tier team which will be hit hardest by departing players this year is Clemson.  The Tigers do not hold the same level of prestige as the Alabama’s or LSU’s of the world and will suffer heavily with the loss of big names like Sammy Watkins and Tajh Boyd amongst others.  Let’s take a look at who is leaving for the riches of the NFL and who must step up with immediate effect.

Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver 

Watkins is projected to be drafted inside the top-ten,  possibly the top-five, and will be impossible to replace.  Guys like Watkins only come around once every couple of years and for Clemson,  once in a lifetime.  In 2013 the junior caught 101 passes for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns to bring his college career totals to 240 catches,  3,391 yards and 27 touchdowns.  That is a lot of production.

Replacement: Mike Williams

 While 41-catch junior Adam Humphries is returning for his senior season,  he is not the long-term answer to the void left by Watkins.  Williams is.  The 6’5” 205lb receiver caught 20 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman,  despite being buried on the depth chart.  Williams’ size makes him a red zone weapon with a huge wing span.  Developing his route running as a sophomore will give us an indication as to whether he is the man to take up the mantle.

Tajh Boyd, Quarterback 

Boyd has been a stalwart in the Clemson offense for three years.  The senior quarterback holds 16 school records and 11 ACC records which he attained during his 11,904 passing yards and 107 passing touchdowns.  Boyd was the life and soul of the Tigers’ offense over that span and his leadership will be impossible to replace.

Replacement: Deshaun Watson

Cole Stoudt will be a senior in 2014 and the safest option for Dabo Swinney to take.  Stoudt completed 47 of 59 pass attempts over the past season for 415 yards,  five touchdowns and no interceptions.  Chad Kelly – who was third on the depth chart in 2013 – is a dual-threat quarterback who has looked good in limited action.  However,  Watson would be my choice.  The four-star recruit will be a long-shot to start but it is rumoured Swinney loves him.  Being a freshman will not deter the coaching staff thanks to the recent success of freshman signal callers such as Jameis Winston and Johnny Manziel.

Martavis Bryant, Wide Receiver 

The 6’5” wide receiver had some struggles in his first two seasons as a Tiger but broke out as a junior with his 42 receptions going for 828 yards and seven touchdowns.  Bryant made some big grabs in the Orange Bowl against Ohio State and chose to enter the 2014 NFL Draft,  likely with the thought of playing with a new quarterback in the back of his mind.

Replacement: Demarre Kitt

Germone Hopper made some strides as a freshman but I do not see him as the right man for the job.  Kitt originally committed to Georgia but changed his mind when he learned Clemson and Ohio State were still in hot pursuit.  At 6’1” Kitt possess great route running ability with great hands and strong concentration - he is the playmaking wide receiver Clemson will need in 2014.

Vic Beasley, Defensive End 

Beasley is apparently torn between staying in college and declaring for the NFL Draft.  If he does leave for the pro’s,  Clemson will lose its best defensive player.  The junior tallied 21 sacks and five forced fumbles over the past two seasons.

Replacement: Shaq Lawson

Lawson showed he was more than just a three-star recruit in his freshman season by registering four sacks,  ten tackles for a loss and 30 tackles.  A former basketball player,  Lawson is dynamic and speedy with the ability to rush from the inside and outside.