January 15th was the final date that underclassmen could declare for the 2013 NFL Draft. In total a record 77 players declared early and while some teams were hit hard by the early entries others were more lucky with several players deciding to return for another year. Today I will break which teams were hit hardest and which teams have the best returnees that turned down the NFL.

NFL Early Draft Entry Losers:

If one team ever epitomized being hit hard by early NFL Draft Entries, it would be the 2013 LSU Tigers, which will send a record 11 players early to the draft. While every unit on the team was hit hard, clearly the unit hit hardest is the LSU defense which will see the loss of arguably its top 5 or 6 players. It starts with Mingo and Montgomery at DE and continues with their best LB in Kevin Minter followed by CB Tharold Simon and S Eric Reid. The Tigers were featured here last year and still won 10 games, but that was following a 13-win season. Will they drop again or will Les Miles’ recruiting continue to restock their positions?

Tennessee new head coach Butch Jones will clearly have his work cut out for him with the loss of four players particularly on the offensive side with the loss of quarterback Tyler Bray along with wide receivers Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson. While I feel Jones was a good hire for Tennessee, he may undergo some 1st-year struggles much like he did at Cincinnati (4-8 his 1st year) before he posted back-to-back 10-win seasons.

2012 was clearly a disappointing season for Michigan State and while they should improve in 2013 it will be a struggle as they lost arguably their two best players on offense in running back Le’Veon Bell and tight end Dion Sims and while defensive end William Gholston underachieved this past year, no one can question his talent.

Other teams that lost significant contributors: Florida, Florida St, Georgia, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Stanford and Texas A&M.

Complete List of Underclassmen Leaving Early

By Conference

By Position

NFL Early Draft Entry Winners:

If winning their third national title in four years was not enough, Alabama’s leaders on offense and defense decided to return for their senior seasons and go for an unprecedented fourth title in five years. On offense, AJ McCarron who led the nation in pass efficiency and has had back-to-back outstanding performances in national championship games returns. On defense, linebacker CJ Mosley who had 40 more tackles than any other Tide defender also announced his return. The Crimson Tide clearly are the favorites to win the title in 2013 and could be an unanimous preseason #1, which would be unprecedented in recent college football history.

Last year at this time many were arguing that Logan Thomas could be a Top 5 pick for the 2013 NFL Draft, but after a mediocre season in which Thomas got no help from his surrounding players on offense, he made the wise decision to return for his senior season. Virginia Tech should be fine on defense once again under DC Bud Foster, but the difference for the Hokies will be much more experience coming back at the offensive line and running back positions, which should put less pressure on Thomas always having to make a play.

While the Clemson lost wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins early to the NFL, they received huge news with the return of quarterback Tajh Boyd whose improved play in 2012 was a big reason for the Tigers continued climb up the polls. In 2013 he will be throwing to a healthier Sammy Watkins and the defense should continue to improve under 2nd-yr DC Venables.

List of Significant RS Sophomores/Juniors
Who Announced Their Return