Mark Ortmann has been a backup his first two seasons at Michigan, but this year the junior tackle will be the primary protector of Wolverine quarterbacks from the left side. Michael Sackett/Icon SMI Cory McCartney's Mailbag Have questions or feedback? E-mail Cory McCartney. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

The top 10 picks in April's NFL draft included a two-time Heisman runner-up, a defensive end who had his jersey retired while he was still wearing it, another end who was the first player to sweep the Bronko Nagurski, Outland and Lott trophies and Lombardi Award in the same year and a quarterback so cool they call him "Ice."

How do you replace that? Well, such is the nature of college football, where players come and go but the laundry remains the same. Here are the players who will try to step into the shoes left behind by those top-10 picks.

Michigan

Who's Gone? Jake Long, OT (No. 1 pick)

Who's Next? Mark Ortmann

The heir apparent to the top-overall pick in the draft is a career backup who has made just two starts at left tackle -- and that actually makes him the most experienced of the four new starters on coach Rich Rodriguez's line.

The 6-foot-7, 294-pound junior isn't the quick, lean lineman RichRod typically uses in his spread, but the former high school tight end should have the feet and lateral movement necessary to block in the scheme.

And how's this for immediate pressure? He'll also be counted on to guard the blind side of would-be starters at quarterback, redshirt freshman Steven Threet and sophomore Nick Sheridan, both of whom are righties.

Virginia

Who's Gone? Chris Long, DE (No. 2 pick)

Who's Next? Alex Field

Al Groh isn't likely to find anyone to replace the rare mix of size and speed that Howie Long's kid brought to the table. But the Rams' draft pick won't be the only missing piece at end when the Cavaliers open the season.

Junior end Jeffrey Fitzgerald, who would have been the guy to step into Long's role, didn't make grades and is no longer on the roster, which will put even more pressure on Field to get to the quarterback.

The 6-foot-7, 270-pound junior has appeared in 25 games but hasn't been dominant, recording just 2½ sacks.

Boston College

Who's Gone? Matt Ryan, QB (No. 3 pick)

Who's Next? Chris Crane

Crane waited, and waited, and waited behind Ryan for three years. But the fifth-year senior's wait is finally over and it's time to see what he learned as Ryan's understudy.

He has just one career start, coming in 2006 against Buffalo, and has made 21 other appearances, including two last season in which he attempted four passes. In a recent intrasquad scrimmage, Crane threw four interceptions in 25 attempts.

Crane's size (6-foot-4, 236 pounds) and arm strength will have many thinking Ryan's still behind center but he has more mobility than his predecessor and with an improved running game, it's unlikely BC fans will see Crane throwing 46.7 times a game like Ryan did in '07.

Arkansas

Who's Gone? Darren McFadden, RB (No. 4 pick)

Who's Next? Michael Smith

Smith not only has to fill in for the two-time Heisman runner-up in McFadden, but also gone are 1,000-yard rusher Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis. Is Smith ready for the spotlight?

The junior has been impressive in a limited role, totaling 550 yards the past two years. But at 5-foot-7, 175 pounds, can he take the beating necessary to be an every-down back? He does have big-play ability, a la the 81-yard touchdown run against Florida International last season.

In new coach Bobby Petrino's power spread, the Razorbacks won't be riding the run as much as they did in the WildHog days, and Smith's touches will likely be more quality than quantity with Brandon Barnett and converted linebacker Chip Gregory also getting carries.

LSU

Who's Gone? Glenn Dorsey, DT (No. 5 pick)

Who's Next? Ricky Jean-Francois

Could LSU simply transition from one All-America defensive tackle to another?

Dorsey exited Baton Rouge as the program's most decorated defensive player but anybody who watched RJF's exploits in the national championship game knows there won't be much of a drop-off at the position in '08.

Jean-Francois missed 12 games last season because of grades but returned for the last two games and had six tackles and blocked a field goal against Ohio State to earn defensive MVP honors. "The Freak" as he's nicknamed, is exactly that. He's 6-foot-3, 281 pounds and has a combination of power and speed. As the new anchor of the Tigers defense, he could have LSU fans asking "Glenn who?"