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16 college football greats who’d lead their former team to the 2017 title

By Zach Bigalke

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Ryan Anderson #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts to tackle quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers during the second half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Ryan Anderson #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts to tackle quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers during the second half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

The defending College Football Playoff champion has almost all the tools to compete for a repeat title in 2017. The defense should be as stout as it was in 2016 with seven starters returning. And the offensive line brings back all five starters, and most boast multiple years of starting experience. Though the team lost several key playmakers such as Wayne Gallman, Mike Williams, and Jordan Leggett, players like Ray-Ray McCloud and Hunter Renfrow are back.

Related Story: Clemson football: Moving on from Deshaun Watson

The one thing Clemson will miss most is its star quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Among the 16 teams on this list, only the Tigers lost their starting passer from last season. Dabo Swinney will turn to either junior Kelly Bryant or early-enrolled true freshman Hunter Johnson. Between them, they have all of 18 college passing attempts — all of which belong to Bryant.

Swinney and Clemson fans must wish they could have convinced Watson to come back for his final season of eligibility. With a veteran behind projected center Justin Falcinelli instead of either Bryant or Johnson, Clemson would instantly become the title favorite. The Tigers would be much higher in the preseason polls, and that could make all the difference as they look to defend their championship.

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