NFL early entries: College winners and losers

More than 110 underclassmen declared for the NFL Draft, reshaping the projections for 2018 and creating plenty of winners and losers among college teams. Here is how many of the top teams landed in each category: Big winner -- CLEMSON Heavens. If the Tigers had returned any of their three potential first-round draft picks along the defensive line -- ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant, and tackle Christian Wilkins -- it would have been a coup. But all three came back, citing some form of "unfinished business" after a playoff semifinal loss to Alabama, to re-join true sophomore tackle Dexter Lawrence in what could be one of the all-time great defensive fronts. But that's not all. Left tackle Mitch Hyatt -- look for him on all your preseason All-America teams -- also is coming back to anchor an offense that lost receivers Ray-Ray McCloud and Deon Cain early to the draft but returns all the key pieces in the backfield. If Clemson isn't the preseason No. 1, it's 1B behind Alabama. Loser -- FLORIDA STATE It was bad enough that national-title-winning coach Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M, but then the Seminoles had a talent drain beyond just losing star safety Derwin James, as expected. Promising receiver Auden Tate followed out the door, as did tight end Ryan Izzo, defensive end Josh Sweat, defensive tackle Jalen Wilkerson and cornerback Tavarus McFadden. Worse? See above. Clemson is going to lock down the ACC Atlantic for the fourth consecutive season. Winner/loser -- STANFORD The Cardinal took a few gut punches on defense. High-motor defensive tackle Harrison Phillips is a first-round talent and Stanford's two best defensive backs -- cornerback Quenton Meeks and safety Justin Reid -- also made the jump to the NFL. On the other hand, All-American running back Bryce Love made a savvy decision to stay for his senior season, poised to make another Heisman run and position himself at the top of what looks like a much weaker running back draft class in 2019. Loser -- ALABAMA No need to cry a river over Alabama's early departures. Nick Saban always reloads, plugging in five-star recruits for five-star recruits, but the five total losses, including these four, have to be acknowledged: Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne and receiver Calvin Ridley could be top 10 picks, and safety Ronnie Harrison is another first-round talent. Winner -- WASHINGTON The Huskies' backfield combination of quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin will be fourth-year starters in 2018. They will work behind left tackle Trey Adams, an All-American candidate who will be back for his senior year after missing the last half of the season with a knee injury. Washington likely enters 2018 as the Pac-12 favorite. Loser -- TEXAS Coach Tom Herman, trying to build momentum in his second season, will have to do it without linebacker Malik Jefferson (formerly the cornerstone recruit of the Charlie Strong era), offensive lineman Connor Williams (the top-rated tackle, according to NFLDraftScout.com), cornerback Holton Hill and safety DeShon Elliott. In addition, the nation's best punter, Michael Dickson, gave up his final season of eligibility, too. Winner -- WEST VIRGINIA The Mountaineers benefited from two early decisions that will give them one of the top pass-catch combinations in the nation. Quarterback Will Grier and receiver David Sills V (tied for the national lead in 2017 with 18 touchdown receptions) will be back for coach Dana Holgersen. Loser -- VIRGINIA TECH It wasn't a shock that fast-rising linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, a sure-fire first-rounder, left for the NFL, but so did his brother, safety Terrell Edmunds (whose stock is more of the day-two variety). Another big piece of coordinator Bud Foster's defense departed -- defensive tackle Tim Settle, who emerged as a force with 12.5 tackles for loss this season before forgoing his final two years of eligibility. Winner/loser -- USC There was buzz that redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Darnold would come back for one more season, but it's hard to pass up being the potential No. 1 pick in the draft. The Trojans' offense was further cut off at the knees when it lost its two other biggest playmakers -- running back Ronald Jones II and receiver Deontay Burnett -- while the defense lost freakishly talented end Rasheem Green. Could have been worse: Offensive lineman Toa Lobendahn, linebackers Cameron Smith and Porter Gustin, and cornerback Iman Marshall are among top prospects who will be seniors in 2018. Loser -- LSU Six underclassmen declared for the draft, which is no way to catch Alabama in the SEC West. Edge rusher Arden Key and running back Derrius Guice have first-round quality and were expected to leave, but coach Ed Orgeron also has to deal with losing both starting cornerbacks and two offensive linemen.