Think about the 'middle' for a sec - Reuben is apparently back for a last hurrah, and I hear that SD Hamilton brings the wood when he hits - I think, despite being slightly smaller, he takes over for Ragland well. He's smart, and has good fundamentals. Dillon Lee did a good job when he took the field, but with C Miller having another year under his belt, and R Evans, we'll be fine there. Tim Williams is also out to prove that he can be trusted on every down. No one will replace Ashawn, but with Hand getting better, and Allen coming back, we'll be okay. I agree that Frazier needs to step up and provide DL depth, but Tomlinson comes back, and Payne will be great next year. So overall, I think our front 7 doesn't take near as much of a hit as everyone feared. Leadership MUST come from the upperclassmen. A little less depth, perhaps, but the talent, and speed, may be a bit better than this year - which is SCARY! The speed, in fact, would be the way to beat Clemson if we could get back for a rematch!
Concerning the secondary, E JAckson is back, and at the other safety, I see Ronnie Harrison taking over for G Smith. I think it will be an UPGRADE. He's bigger, and as fast, with hopefully better fundamentals. Humphrey did well, and should improve, and I think Minkah stays at Star. He is great, but we stay in nickle a lot, and he was exposed by the frosh from Clemson playing a DB type role. I will go out on a limb and say T Brown gets his sh** together and takes the other CB slot - or maybe it's K Sheffield's time? Obviously Minkah could take the CB slot and we'd be ok with Mo Smith at star. Otherwise Mo will play money. Either way, with Pruitt coaching, and these guys returning, I say our secondary will be GREAT! There is still Burgess-Becker, and Hootie Jones trying to get playing time.
So, my take, going into spring? A hungry defense that needs to find it's signal caller at LB - does SDH take that? Can Reuben do it? The starting DL will be GREAT, and we just need to develop the depth. The secondary will be excellent, and this defense will surpass last years.
