Alabama is used to replacing key players. Despite having guys such as Jonathan Allen, Marlon Humphrey and O.J. Howard move on to the NFL, the Tide still found a way to win their fifth national title in the past nine years.

That doesn’t mean finding suitable replacements should be considered easy.

The five players on this list were crucial to Alabama’s success over the past three years — which included a national championship appearance in every season.

1. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S

Why it hurts: Fitzpatrick was a dynamic playmaker since he stepped on the field as a true freshman. In three seasons, he racked up 171 tackles, 16.5 sacks and 9 interceptions while playing safety and cornerback. He was the ultimate leader, too. He’s everything you could want in a player from both perspectives.

Who is expected to step up: It will be difficult trying to replace Fitzpatrick’s versatility, but Alabama has a couple of sophomore safeties — Xavier McKinney and Daniel Wright — who should be solid options.

McKinney seems like the more logical bet due to his ability to mix things up in the box. Of the 8 tackles the former 4-star had this season, 1.5 went for a loss.

Fitzpatrick also played a lot at the Star position until Hootie Jones went out, so finding a replacement at that position will be important. Tony Brown — the regular starter at the position — was a senior. So expect a guy like Shyheim Carter or Jared Mayden to step into that role.

2. Da’Ron Payne, NT

Why it hurts: It’s been awhile since Alabama has lacked a dominant presence playing the 0-technique in its base defense. Maybe 2013-14, when Brandon Ivory manned the middle. The Tide lost Jesse Williams in 2012 and didn’t have Payne on campus until 2015.

The 6-4, 309-pound nose tackle showed the ability to line up anywhere from head up the center (0-tech) to the outside shoulder of the guard (3-tech). His 12 total QB pressures in the Playoff should remind us of exactly what he brought to the defense.

Who is expected to step up: It won’t be as difficult to replace Payne when the defense is in nickel — which they are most of the time — because Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs are capable of handling the two interior positions.

It’ll be the base package that will suffer the most. As of now, it’s redshirt senior Johnny Dwight’s job to lose. He finished this season with 9 tackles (3.5 of them for a loss), 1 sack and 1 QB hurry.

3. Bradley Bozeman, C

Why it hurts: Alabama has enjoyed an incredible streak of quality centers since Barrett Jones switched from left tackle before the 2012 season. He won the Rimington that season, which goes to the nation’s best center.

Ryan Kelly took over for the next three years. He, too, won a Remington Trophy.

Bozeman didn’t win that, but he did make second team All-American according to all five major outlets. His experience — including his 30 career starts — will be sorely missed.

Who is expected to step up: This will be an interesting battle during spring training. Redshirt junior Brandon Kennedy is a likely candidate. Don’t count out starting left guard Ross Pierschbacher, though. Coaches tried him there before.

A scenario with Pierschbacher at center would open the door for a talented reserve such as Jedrick Wills to start at left guard.

4. Ronnie Harrison, S

Why it hurts: The fact that Harrison is the second safety to make this list should tell you everything you need to know about the state of Alabama’s secondary. The most concerning part is Hootie Jones — the team’s No. 3 safety — will be gone too.

When you combine that with the three losses at cornerback — Anthony Averett, Levi Wallace and Brown — it makes for an interesting offseason topic heading into spring training. JUCO transfer Saivion Smith, a former LSU cornerback, will compete for a starting job somewhere in the secondary.

Who is expected to step up: The two sophomore safeties have already been discussed. Both will have a shot at contributing. The most important piece at the position, however, will be redshirt junior Deionte Thompson.

He stepped in admirably when Jones was lost for the year. He finished with 25 tackles (1 for a loss) and 1 interception. Thompson’s physical style will be needed with the defense losing Harrison, who is known for his tempo-setting hits.

5. Calvin Ridley, WR

Why it hurts: Ridley was Alabama’s go-t0 receiver for the past three years. He finished with 224 receptions (No. 2 in program history), 2,781 yards (No. 3) and 19 touchdowns (No. 2).

His 63 receptions this season accounted for a whopping 30.9 percent of the team’s total (204). Bo Scarbrough finished with the second-most receptions with 17 (8.3 percent).

Who is expected to step up: The reason Ridley is so far down this list is because of the talent Alabama had behind him.

Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith — all true freshmen in 2017 — showed that they have more than enough ability to handle being the team’s top 3 options in the passing game.

Combine that with other second-year players such as 6-6, 209-pound Tyrell Shavers and Chadarius Townsend — who could still move to defense — and it seems like Alabama will have plenty of options at the position.