I still say DL is fine even with the returning players.
Interior: Lockett, Darton, Fuentes, and maybe Josh Hough plus the freshman Bassette.
Edge: Okechukwu, Linton, Geer, Jobity, etc.
Could potentially rotate 8-10 guys along the line next season.
I've done this breakdown several times since Lockett got injured earlier in the season.
We have a TON of returning guys at both DT and DE, the vast majority of whom played extensively this year.
Darton was an iron man [really, his play this year was about as best case scenario as it could be, with him having limited support after Lockett went down]. Next year, you not only get Lockett back, but Fuentes-Cundiff is now a year older, we also have Bassette / Hough at DT, and Perry as an incoming frosh.
Philosophically, I understand why people are clamoring for a transfer portal DT. But it all comes down to whether the staff believes that having an expanded rotation of guys will help the DL hold up better against the run. Hough [dealing with an injury this year] is over 320 pounds at 6-3. Probably needs to shed some weight and work back into game shape, but he might be able to step into the role of a situationally "bigger" DT.
Geer, Jobity, Simmons, Okechuckwu all played extensively, and the first three will have an offseason to get stronger. Linton won't add weight, but he's a fifth guy who's contributed a ton. So we have both talent and depth at DE, too. Jacquez was just beginning to get more snaps when he got injured -- he'll be back, and Nolton was a quality "get" who will likely play more going forward. Loaded with experience, with lots of new faces pushing for a role in the two-deep at DE.
I'm much more concerned about upgrading the OL, and would be more interested in the limited # of scholarships we have available go toward bringing in starting caliber guys on that line.
OL
TE
WR
Those are the biggest portal / JUCO* transfer priorities, in my opinion.
* Would kill to see us land that center JUCO prospect.
