The more I think about it, the more I worry about our defense

We didn't have a whole lot of depth last year either on defense. Here are the factors that will determine if we have an average or a great defense:

1. Health: We need a healthy Obioha, Ennis, Jenkins, and Stansbury on the front line.

2. How quickly the freshmen pick up the system: I expect significant contributions from Hall, Manning, Golden, Walker, Chevis, Claiborne, Wade, Mastrogiovanni, Sezer, Ellis, Garner, and Miles.

3. Continued improvement in the secondary: The light bulb seems to have come on with Matthews and Raven.

Here's who I would see getting significant minutes on defense:

Daeshon Hall
Isaiah Golden
Justin Manning
Hardreck Walker
Tommie Sanders
Reggie Chevis
Jordan Mastrogiovanni
Brett Wade
Kameron Miles
Alex Sezer
Noel Ellis
Tavares Garner

Here's who I see that would POSSIBLY redshirt:

Jay Arnold
Jordan Points
Darion Claiborne
Jonathan Wiggins
Shaan Washington
Victor Davis (if he qualifies)

I don't see anyone definitely redshirting on defense.

that seems rather aggressive. Last year we had a much smaller defensive class (8 incoming freshmen) and yet we redshirted 4 of them. I think some of the guys you expect to play won't, and some you don't will.

We will likely be less stout than last year, but I do expect we'll create more turnovers (something we sucked at early on). Hoping those two things can wash. I do worry about teams running on us, at least early on before the fish start to find their groove and roles but having two warm up games is going to be huge in that regard. Should give us a chance to find out who performs in game situations and who doesn't.

Also, heading into the season last year, of our expected contributors, we had 2 guys skip voluntary workouts and fall way behind (Alexander, Ward), we had 2 guys get suspended bc they didn't initially mix with the new coaches (Jenkins, Matthews), and we had our best secondary player get kicked off the team (Campbell). One of our incoming freshmen - the only EE - also blew his knee out (Marshall). Yet we switched schemes, started 2 true freshmen all year, and fielded a good overall defense from day one. If Snyder hasn't already proved he's some kind of witch to you yet, I don't know what to say.

Campbell and Michael walked out on a practice and did not show up at the next one. They were suspended for the SMU game for this. Michael made amends though his relationship with the coaches was dicey all year. Campbell chose to "retire" which clearly he didn't do because he participated in the A&M pro day. He just quit on our team or was kicked off depending on your point of view.

We generally never saw 3rd teamers last year though it's sort of chicken or egg as to whether they were such a large dropoff or it's just the coaches not using depth a ton. This year we'll see whether it's philosophy or not but it won't surprise me if a lot of those guys you have listed as 3rd team don't play. Even guys like Richardson and Zo Williams didn't play til halfway through the season when they passed others on the depth chart

By position

DE - we'll likely play 5-6 total all year. Unless Hall or Arnold break into the top 4 or so, I expect they will redshirt. Disagree on where you place Robinson but I'm not sure it matters much.

DT - I don't believe we played more than 4 here all year. It appears we will be using the 335 nickel package which alleviates the need for as many DTs anyway. I think Ennis and Zo are givens. Polo already redshirted and can be depth. Won't surprise me if only 2 play (I expect 2 will eventually surpass Polo so even if he starts in the 4-man rotation, he'll be supplanted like Zo Williams did midseason)

LB - Last year we got by with a 4-man rotation almost all year. Early on Justin Bass was in that group and Baggs later surpassed him. Richardson broke into it late and it expanded to 5-man. I expect we'd prefer about 6 but just lacked bodies (which again with a 335 makes sense). Baggs, Sanders, Jenkins, Askew look ready. Ward and Bass can fill across as needed. I can see 2-3 freshmen playing at most and maybe less if Richardson comes back (Claiborne and Hilliard are SAMs btw)

CB - we only played 5 CBs all last year and one (Raven) barely ever. I think if the fish can provide help on STs they will play but we don't need 6 CBs simply because we use Hurd/Honeycutt as nickels and so even in a dime package we only have 3 on the field.

S - Raven and Matthews start with Hurd/Honeycutt playing nickel and backing up. We probably need 2 contributors here but if Marshall can be one, we may only play 1 freshmen - though again, STs may change that.

Injuries or other issues could change these of course

indeed. I think that's one reason I'm more positive. All the players now know our coaches know what they are talking about and they all have some time dealing with them. They understand the expectations on them. Add the two tune up games and I'm optimistic. We're not going to have a suffocating defense, but I don't think it will be bad.

The question is not whether they will see the field but rather will they be SEC ready after only two college football games?

Outside of Manning and Golden, I cant see those guys being at a high enough level for the majority of the year to change our fate.