We've got some JUCO d-linemen that are supposed to step in, plus some guys that we've been grooming for a few years such as Mason Harris, Darius English, and Gerald Turner. Harris has shown some promise, but he's really kinda small. DE is a big dropoff from last year, to be sure. There's talent, but not a ton of experience or size.

I think the offense will be fine, and Thompson should do well in the starter's role. No, he's not the bionic commando that Shaw is, but he's led the team in tough moments before, and the players trust him. WR returns Shaq Roland, Damiere Byrd, and Pharoh Cooper, with some inexperienced talent underneath them. I expect Roland to be one of the best WRs in the league next year. Tailbacks return Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds, plus David Williams comes in off his redshirt freshman season. Lots of talent there.

The corners are going to be very untested, and that is actually very concerning. I haven't been impressed with the recruiting at that position this season, and it's a glaring position of need. Us and UGA go after a lot of the same players in the secondary, and they've been winning those battles. Frustrating.

Linebackers and safety/spur will be the heart of the defense. They were young and thrown into the fire this season, which is why they looked so bad against UGA, but really came on at the end of the year. Skai Moore and Kaiwan Lewis are studs, and could certainly contend for all-SEC honors.

We'll probably be built a lot like UGA was this year, for better or worse. A very high-powered offense, with a very questionable defense. However, I have a good deal of trust in the defensive coaching staff, and I think if anyone can make something out of nothing, they can.

The ceiling for this team is an SEC championship appearance, but the floor is probably an 8-4 type season. The best thing that this team has going for it is that its early season tough games are at home, where USC has been unbeatable for the last two and a half seasons. If they can stretch their legs going down the heart of the schedule, they can be hard to handle headed into the Clem5on week.