Did you guys see...

[Black Diamond Vol]

...this piece in which SEC coaches speak "anonymously" about each other's teams?  Most of the quotes concerning UT are pretty complimentary, but this one does stick out:

“They’ve upgraded their talent level overall, but I just don’t know if they have a bunch of difference-makers on defense.”

Ok, either that coach is being sarcastic, or they're just that stupid.  And assuming we're talking about head coaches here, I can only think of one in the SEC who is that dumb.  I won't name names, but "I don't need your permission" to hint strongly at his identity.

http://athlonsports.com/college-football/sec-coaches-talk-anonymously-about-conference-foes-2015

[PirateVOL]

...this piece in which SEC coaches speak "anonymously" about each other's teams?  Most of the quotes concerning UT are pretty complimentary, but this one does stick out:

“They’ve upgraded their talent level overall, but I just don’t know if they have a bunch of difference-makers on defense.”

Ok, either that coach is being sarcastic, or they're just that stupid.  And assuming we're talking about head coaches here, I can only think of one in the SEC who is that dumb.  I won't name names, but "I don't need your permission" to hint strongly at his identity.

http://athlonsports.com/college-football/sec-coaches-talk-anonymously-about-conference-foes-2015

No, but assuming your assumption is correct, those "no difference makers" made his quarterbacks life hell last year.

[Black Diamond Vol]

Honestly, I haven't been this excited about our defense in a long, long time.  "Difference makers"?  I see at least one first team All-SEC caliber guy at every level:  Barnett and Magitt on the DL, JRM at LB, Cam and Randolph in the secondary.  And that's not even taking the newcomers into account- it looks like at least 3-4 of them will play big roles, if not be outright stars this year. 

The last time we had an all-star at every level of our defense?  1998.  So, yeah.  

[PirateVOL]

Honestly, I haven't been this excited about our defense in a long, long time.  "Difference makers"?  I see at least one first team All-SEC caliber guy at every level:  Barnett and Magitt on the DL, JRM at LB, Cam and Randolph in the secondary.  And that's not even taking the newcomers into account- it looks like at least 3-4 of them will play big roles, if not be outright stars this year. 

The last time we had an all-star at every level of our defense?  1998.  So, yeah.  

With the talent we have on the backend I see Jancek releasing the hounds up front.
The depth is what has really improved.  We have four that could start at safety (I would submit that TK is our best safety)  We have at least 4, probably 5 that could start at corner.  Other than Mike we have good depth at LB (I think we start a FR at Mike).  On the DL, my goodness we have talent.  We have at 4 (+ depth) that can flat bring it from the DE position.  At DT if the kids develop damn, just damn.   In any case we can have a 5-6 player rotation at DT.  Last year we rotated just 3, yes 3.

Bottom line we will not get worn down like we did last year.