Next Man Up: Kyren Lacy, Carnell Tate headline the top replacements for the future offensive stars of the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is a month away, with college football’s most recent stars ready to hear their names called by commissioner Roger Goodell. 

But what about the next wave of potential key names to know? While guys like Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy or Washington wideout Rome Odunze have no obvious replacement waiting in the wings, that’s not the case for many of the departing starts projected to get selected early in the draft. 

Here’s a collection of future stars or breakout candidates in a Next Man Up series, taking a look at the offensive side of the football first. 

USC QB Caleb Williams 

Next Man Up: Miller Moss

Moss waited years for his moment with the Trojans, and he finally got the opportunity to showcase his talents in USC’s bowl win over Louisville. With Williams opting out, Moss made his first start since his junior season in high school, torching the Cardinals for 372 yards and six touchdowns. 

He was so impressive that head coach Lincoln Riley (semi-joked?) afterward that he wouldn’t be surprised if Moss scared off any potential QB transfers. The next week Will Howard, who had long been linked to the Trojans, committed to Ohio State. Moss does have some competition (UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava) to replace the likely No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft, but he’s the frontrunner for the gig in 2024.

Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. 

Next Man Up: Carnell Tate or Jeremiah Smith

The Buckeyes are set to produce another 1st Round receiver, and yet they have no shortage of options to replace Harrison Jr. Emeka Egbuka opted to return to school, but fans across the country will quickly learn the names of Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, too. Both are former 5-star prospects. Tate was a freshman in 2023, seeing increased snaps as the season went along and finishing the year with 18 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown. 

Smith was the top-ranked player — not just receiver — in the 2024 class, and after flirting with flipping to Miami late in the process, he ultimately signed with the Buckeyes. At 6-3, 220-pounds, he’s as ready-made as any freshman in the country. He’s been compared to Larry Fitzgerald and Julio Jones, and he already lost his black helmet stipe — something typically reserved for freshmen in fall camp — a week into Ohio State’s spring practice. 

LSU QB Jayden Daniels and WRs Malik Nabors and Brain Thomas

Next Man Up: Garrett Nussmeier and Kyren Lacy and CJ Daniels

While the Tigers will be well-represented atop the NFL Draft next month, Brian Kelly can rest easy that LSU has a new QB-WR triumvirate ready to take over immediately. Nussmeier patiently bided his time and now it’s his turn to run the show. The big-armed QB teased his potential in the 2023 SEC Championship against Georgia (294 yards, two scores), and then in his first-career start against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl he threw for 395 yards, three scores and engineered the game-winning drive. 

Nussmeier and Lacy connected for six receptions and 95 yards, as the former Louisiana-Lafayette will become WR1 for LSU this fall. Lacy had 558 yards and seven scores a year ago, and the 6-3 playmaker is ready for more targets. LSU also brought in one of the best wideouts from the portal this offseason, adding Liberty standout CJ Daniels. Daniels averaged 19.4 yards per catch last season, with 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

Next Man Up: Charles Jagusah

Alt is the projected top offensive tackle to come off the board in the upcoming draft, but Notre Dame has another 6-7, 330-pound monster set to slide into the vacancy at left tackle. Jagusah is a former Top-50 prospect and state champion wrestler. He redshirted his 2023 freshman season but did start the bowl game with Alt opting out. 

He played all 61 snaps against Oregon State, and although there were some growing pains against the Beavers’ veteran front (one sack allowed), Jagusah held his own and teased his upside as another mauling tackle along the Irish’s OL.

Texas WRs Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell 

Next Man Up: Isaiah Bond and Johntay Cook II

The Longhorns’ aerial attack might produce a pair of 1st-round receivers this year, but Steve Sarkisian has made sure Texas’ WR room stays stockpiled with talent. Isaiah Bond bolted Alabama following Nick Saban’s retirement, giving the Longhorns a near 1:1 replacement for the speedy Xavier Worhy. Bond had a breakout sophomore season with the Tide, catching 48 passes for 668 yards and four scores — including the miracle touchdown versus Auburn. 

Cook II is a former 5-star prospect who pushed for playing time as a freshman despite all the talent ahead of him on the depth chart. Also a blazer, he averaged 17.0 yards per reception in 2023 and should provide quarterback Quinn Ewers another vertical threat. 

Georgia TE Brock Bowers

Next Man Up: Oscar Delp

Like Boromir said about walking into Mordor, one doesn’t simply replace one of the most versatile and productive tight ends in recent college football history, but Georgia does at least have a really quality option in Oscar Delp. While not a true facsimile to Bowers, Delp is a tenacious blocker and a sure-handed receiver. 

The 6-5, 245-pound sophomore has legit YAC ability. As UGA’s No. 2 tight end last season, he had 24 catches for 284 yards and three scores. 

Penn State LT Olu Fashanu

Next Man Up: Drew Shelton

Like Notre Dame, Penn State must replace both its starting offensive tackles in 2024 — including a potential Top-15 pick in Fashanu. While the Nittany Lions are holding a competition between Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci and Anthony Donkoh for the right tackle job, when fall camp rolls around, Shelton is set to be the heir apparent for Drew Allar’s blindside. The former consensus 4-star recruit has been a rotational backup the last two seasons, seeing consistent snaps amid many of PSU’s blowout wins. He made a couple starts, too, playing all 72 snaps at left tackle in the bowl game versus Ole Miss. 

The 6-5, 310-pound junior is more of a mobile, road-grade run-blocker at tackle compared to Fashanu, who was an excellent pass protector despite Penn State’s run-heavy scheme. Shelton, who is out for spring practice with an offseason surgery, did struggle in pass protection against the Rebels, allowing seven pressures which was as many as he’d allowed the other 12 games all season.