Obviously there is a lot to be determined about our 2016 team and its depth, but I have to say, things FEEL deeper to me. Allow me to take the DL as a case in point (because I am too lazy to run throught the entire team at the moment). Guys like Branch and Glanton (who are providing depth) are way ahead of where, say, Francis Kallon was a couple years ago. Heck, IMHO Glanton (right now) is a better player than Gotsis was as a frosh. I'm not so sure if he has more potential, but there is little doubt his football acumen is better. If you look at Keshun Freeman, in a singular sense, he should have never been playing as a freshman. Yes, he played extremely well that year and took home some recognition hardware for his efforts. However, on a top 20 type team with depth, he would have been on the scout team building his body and learning from the experienced starters. Last year would have been his RS frosh year with probably little playing time outside of ST. This would be the year that the top 20 team would be "reloading" with him at WDE. His body is now ready enough to match his ability. THIS YEAR we have guys about the same level as his frosh or soph year playing behind him who are not forced into the starting line up. In fact, a couple may push him for time.
We cannot allow ourselves to forget that players develop when they work hard. There is a huge difference between an 18 year old BOY with potential and a 20 year old MAN who has worked his butt off for two years. Just because a kid wasn't making an impact in his first couple years doesn't mean isn't destined to become a better player than the guy he replaces whose eligibility ran out.
On the offensive side of the ball, let's consider the case of Will Bryan. We all read Flea's report that WB is now around 290 plus pounds and under 20% body fat. Well, if that is true (I will never doubt Flea), then you are about to see a much better player in 2016. WB was forced into service last year. He was generally effective but, more than anything, showed us the potential he had if he worked hard. The speed and tenacity were there, but the physical dominance was not. Well, it sounds like he HAS worked hard. If he is a lean 290 pounds then he is most likely destined to be a substantially more physical player than he was last year. Twenty or so pounds of muscle makes a huge diffence in the life of a guy in the trenches. He is coming into his manhood. For the most part, he played against MEN last year (a few teams might be an exception).
We are about to find out IF the recruiting classes of 2013 and 2014 were good and to a lesser extent the 2015 class. I will withold serious opinion until I see more, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if several of the "no names" turn out to be better than the guys we felt we couldn't replace.