re: In 2007, Bama went 7-6 and zero players drafted

Agreed.

I do think the staff would be able to sell 8-4 and a bowl win enough to keep recruiting strong and most of the fanbase happy going into 2016.

But 2016 would be a 10 win+ type prove it scenario.

But in general I do feel like 9-3 should be the target to give most TN fans really good feelings about the staff's ability moving forward.