I predict lots of frustration next year.
CECE-beast if they let him play DE
K.Davis- BCJ type player
Zuniga- Looked great against subpar talent not so much in SEC games
Ancrum- nothing
R.Jackson-nothing
Ivie-Gone
Williamson- got torched the few times we saw him
Clayton- has he even played?
J.Smith- red shirt
Polite- been in a few games
Joseph- been in a few games, made great plays at LSU. Looks like a contributor
Reese- Star in the making
Moon- red shirt?
Burnett-RS
Gardner-ST
Taylor-ST
Lenton- hurt RS
McWilliams-hurt RS
Putu- played a few games, nothing spectacular.
That's the bulk of your 2017 defense. Anyone notice anything?
On the last 2 plays of the LSU game, there were at least 7 players on the field who will be back in 2017. With the injuries we've had, we have a lot of players getting starts and significant PT. Reese & Johnson will have at least 5 starts each (barring an injury).
As far as the "is Mac smarter than the rest"? Well, I'll say some of his 3-stars are looking good. Others, we have to wait and see. But as far as 3-stars go, outside of Bama, Clemson, FSU, Ohio State and a few other select programs MOST schools have at least half their roster full of 3-stars.
Is Mac smarter than Bret Bielema? His Arkansas roster is chocked full of 3-star kids and they kicked our 3-star kids asses. Is he smarter than Boise's coach (another roster full of 3-star kids). Hell, go down the top 25: Colorado, Penn State, Louisville, Western Michigan, Utah, Washington State, Houston, West Virginia, Wisconsin. All those teams are full of 3-star (or 2-star players).
When your roster is full of 3-stars many times your only option (after an injury) is going to be a 3-star. 3-star's excel all the time (see the list above of the top 25). And some flop.
At the end of the day, I think ALL of us (even the pumpers) would rather have the 4-star (or better) kids.
So to answer is Mac "smarter": no; our 3-star kids are the same as any other program's 3-star kids. Just like our 4-stars and 5-stars are: Some pan out...some don't.