People still need to remember that outside of Gotsis and Green, last year's DL was YOUNG.
Freeman was a true freshman.
Simmons was a true freshman.
Chungong was a R-soph
Gamble was a R-soph
Merriweather was a true freshmen
Stargel was a R-soph
Kallon was a R-soph
We don't recruit 4/5 star guys on the DL, Kallon being the exception. The type of guys we recruit usually take a little while longer to really make an impact because they need more physical development. Freeman had a REALLY good year for a true freshmen. When you consider Jadaveon Clowney, one of the most highly rated DEs to ever come out of HS, a guy many thought would be one of the few that could make a jump from the HS level to NFL, had 36 tackles and 8 sacks as a true freshmen...and you compare it to what Freeman did, it's safe to say Freeman exceeded expectations for a 3 star recruit.
I've said it before, JHD is the key to next season's DL. If he's eligible, it gives us a lot of flexibility. I think our DEs are such that we really only need our DTs to hold the point of attack, and maintain gap responsibility. I"m confident that our DEs can bring pressure without the DTs. If we can get 8+ sacks from Freeman, and 3-5+ sacks from every other DE, we will be more than fine.
The youth and talent at the DE positions, as well as the depth at OL, and having JeT is what really has me excited about the future of the football team. By the time 2016 rolls around, our DEs will be well seasoned and physically mature, as will our OL...and JeT will be a senior. And let's not forget our speedsters at the skill positions will be 2 years into the system. GT could be looking at national title implications that year.
2015 looks to be another very good year for us. Will we go to another Big 5 bowl? I'm not sure, but there is not a team on our schedule that we have a less than 50% shot at beating next season. If the difference is coaching, then I'm putting my money on CPJ against any of the coaches on our schedule in 2015.