No one denies we need better players, and more depth but it isn’t as if the defensive players we used against South Carolina were considered scrubs in high school. Only Byron Young was not on anyone’s radar and a late bloomer. Six 4 stars are noted below. And everyone below has 3, 4, 5 or even 6 years (Bumphus) experience, which is a head scratcher.
We don’t have personnel on that side of the ball to dominate, but this group shouldn’t give up 9 TDs in 10 possessions to anyone, much less the Gamecocks. I doubt lack of talent is the only problem. Given the circumstances, our coaches had zero answers against a team lacking their two best running backs and a porous offensive line that had given up a ton of sacks this year. Our defense has made opposing quarterbacks look better than they are, all year, except Levis.
Flowers - 3 star, 5th year Sr.
McCollough - 4 star, 4th year Sr.
Hadden - 3 star, 3rd year Jr.
Turnage - 4 star, 4th year Jr.
McDonald - 3 star, 3rd year Jr.
Mitchell - 4 star, 5th year Sr.
Beasley - 3 star, 4th year Jr.
Thomas - 4 star, 3rd year Jr.
Terry - 3 star, 4th year Jr.
Bumphus, 4 star, 6th year Sr.
Byron Young - not highly regarded
Baron - 4 star, 3rd year Jr.