Next Man Up: Patrick Payton, Domani Jackson Jr. headline the top replacements for the future defensive 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. 

I previewed the offensive replacements first. This year’s draft pool isn’t quite as deep with defensive talent but some of CFP’s best players will still get selected early on Day 1 or Day 2. 

Here’s a collection of future defensive stars or breakout candidates in our Next Man Up series.

Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

Next Man Up: Keon Keeley

The Tide are switching defensive schemes under Kane Wommack, moving away from a 3-4 base to a 4-2-5. Thus, Keon Keeley made the move from outside linebacker to end/Bandit. This pick is chalked with projection, as Keeley didn’t see a snap for Alabama in 2023. 

Still, the 6-5, 245-pound end was the unanimous No. 1 pass rusher in 2023 class and a Top-10 overall prospect by the entire industry. He was a monster in high school and has long been comp’d to Chase Young. If Keely doesn’t make a move in the spring, Alabama could dip into the portal for pass rush help come April. 

Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac

Next Man Up: Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton

With Robinson and Isaac off to the pros, Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton stand to be Penn State’s next great pass-rush duo. Carter is officially making the switch to defensive end for his junior season, a move that should bring out the best in the All-Big Ten honoree. Carter had the second-highest pass rush grade behind Robinson in 2023 — recording 28 pressures (third-most on the team) despite rushing just 33% of his snaps. 

Meanwhile, Dennis-Sutton, a 6-5, 260-pound freaky bendy end, was a regular rotational piece in the Nittany Lions’ Top-5 defense last season. He had 5.5 sacks and 19 hurries — stats that are sure to balloon in a full-time role. 

Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

Next Man Up: Patrick Payton

Payton is arguably already a star, but he’s been overshadowed by Verse the last two seasons and he’ll be the dude spearheading Florida State’s defense. The 6-5, 240-pound pass rusher led the ‘Noles with 14.5 tackles for loss, chipping in 7.0 sacks on 44 tackles. 

The junior, who is a probable 1st-round pick in the 2025 draft, is constantly making an impact, with 32 hurries and 10 batted passes at the LOS. Payton flirted with transferring this offseason, but he chose to stay at Florida State — a huge boon for Mike Norvell’s program in 2024.

Clemson CB Nate Wiggins 

Next Man Up: Avieon Terrell

Wiggins stands to be one of the first cornerbacks off the board next month, but Clemson has recruited that position really well in recent years and has several options primed for bigger roles. Sophomore Jeadyn Lukas is a former consensus Top-100 prospect, but he was actually beat out for a backup role last season by Avieon Terrell last season. The little brother of former Tigers star and 1st Round pick AJ Terrell ended up cracking the starting lineup opposite Wiggins late in the year. The freshman started Clemson’s last five games, allowing just six catches on 23 targets. He had one interception and three PBUs.

Alabama CBs Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry

Next Man Up: Domani Jackson Jr. and Jaylen Mbakwe

The Tide’s secondary stands to look completely different in 2024. Arnold and McKinstry are both projected Day 1 picks, while they lost safety Jaylen Key to graduation and Caleb Downs and Trey Amos to transfers. Fortunately, the cupboard is still stocked with 5-stars — particularly at corner. 

Alabama brought in USC transfer Domani Jackson Jr. in the offseason, and signed Jaylen Mbakwe — a consensus 5-star prospect in 2024. It’s tough for a freshman to crack this list, but like wideout Jeremiah Smith at Ohio State, Mbakwe is that talented — and he’ll have the opportunity. Jackson Jr. struggled at times in 2023 playing on a bad Trojans defense, but the 6-1 corner is long, fast (10.25-second 100-meter dash) and full of untapped potential.

Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter 

Next Man Up: Julian Humphrey or Daniel Harris

The Bulldogs have fiery competition between two former blue-chip prospects who both entered the transfer portal this offseason and then decided to return to UGA. The two 2023 prospects don’t have much experience, but Kirby Smart has not been shy about playing young corners (Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, Keele Ringo, Kamari Lassiter) on Georgia’s defense. 

Humphrey is considered the better pure-cover corner, but Harris is 6-2, 180-pounds who flashed elite athleticism and raw ability in the Bulldogs’ Orange Bowl blowout win over Florida State.