MICHAEL CARTER, CB

• Comment: His emergence as a senior was critical to enormous improvement in pass defense, and he went out with a two-interception bowl game.

• Likely replacement: Martez Shabazz

KEANON COOPER, LB

• Comment: Played in every Gophers game for four years; his speed enabled him to cover receivers or rush passer from outside.

• Likely replacement: James Manuel

MARQUEIS GRAY, QB

• Comment: His leadership might have been as important as his ability on the field, but his 59 rushing yards Friday were a good reminder of what he brought to offense.

• Likely replacement: Philip Nelson

JOHN RABE, TE

• Comment: Injuries limited his playing time, but he was clutch: Finished season with four TD catches, second only to departed WR A.J. Barker.

• Likely replacement: Drew Goodger

MIKE RALLIS, LB

• Comment: Finished his career with 226 tackles, and spent senior season as traffic cop in middle of Gophers' defense.

• Likely replacement: Damien Wilson*

TROY STOUDERMIRE, CB

• Comment: Improved every season of his career, and finished 2012 as the Gophers' leading tackler with 78. Also their best kick returner.

• Likely replacement: Jeremy Baltazar

JORDAN WETTSTEIN, K

• Comment: Connected on eight of his last 11 field-goal tries, and produced touchbacks on half his kickoffs.

• Likely replacement: Chris Hawthorne or Ryan Santoso *

D.L. WILHITE, DE

• Comment: Second-team All-Big Ten pass-rusher, his 8.5 sacks this year, the seventh-most ever by a Gopher, gave Minnesota long-absent defensive pressure.

• Likely replacement: Thieren Cockran

*-incoming recruit