We heard the same when we would not be very effective against Kentucky after losing Holliman, Gaines, Floyd, Sample, Mount, Mauldin and DuBose...and how would we replace Parker, De La Cruz and Rogers on Offense...wash...rince...repeat...
There is very little doubt that there will be some drop-off when you lose truly elite players and replacing them with players who have little or no experience. Replacing Bridgewater with r-So Will Gardner comes to mind as a recent example.
When I look at our defense in 2016, that's just not going to happen anywhere. Yes, we will go out and add a JC player for depth, as we will be doing with a DT who will be in for Spring football. There really shouldn't be much drop-off in 2016 (if any).
Even assuming worst case that you have Harvey-Clemons, Brown, and Kelsey go early, you still have a deep and veteran lineup at every position, and you're adding new players in backup roles, as follows:
DE
14 Drew Bailey 6-3 284 So. Jacksonville, Fla. (Pearl River CC)
94 G.G. Robinson 6-4 290 FR Lilburn, Ga. (Parkview)
Chris Williams-JR-JC (in for spring)
NT 97)
95 Kyle Shortridge 6-2 305 So. Loxahatchee, Fla. (Seminole Ridge)
90 Johnny Richardson 6-3 322 SO Jacksonville, Fla. (First Coast)
DE
99 James Hearns 6-3 257 So. Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln)
52 Nick Dawson 6-3 265 Jr. Charlotte, N.C. (Phillip O’Berry)
OLB
91 Trevon Young 6-4 237 Jr. Des Moines, Iowa (Iowa Western)
1 Keith Brown 6-1 231 Jr. Miami, Fla. (Norland)
ILB
42 Isaac Stewart 6-2 238 R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Butler)
57 Finesse Middleton 5-11 242 LB RS SO Gadsden, Ala. (Gadsden City)
58 Jonathan Greenard 6-4 226 LB FR Hiram, Ga. (Hiram)
ILB
32 Stacy Thomas 6-1 225 So. Miami, Fla. (Gulliver Prep)
53 Amonte Caban 6-1 226 FR Smiths, Ala. (Smiths Station)
OLB
92 Devonte’ Fields 6-4 245 Jr. Fort Worth, Texas (TCU)
96 Henry Famurewa 6-2 245 SO Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern)
CB 15 Trumaine Washington 5-10 181 So. Miami, Fla. (Killian)
10 Jaire Alexander 5-11 184 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Rocky River)
SAF
24 Zykiesis Cannon 6-0 195 So. Mauldin, S.C. (Carolina Academy)
Ronald Walker-JR JC (in for spring)
SAF
22 Chucky Williams 6-2 204 So. Hialeah, Fla. (Champagnat Catholic)
11 Dee Smith 6-1 200 S FR Florence, Ala. (Florence)
CB 6 Shaq Wiggins 5-10 171 So. Tyrone, Ga. (Georgia)
26 Duke Culver 6-0 186 So. Tallahassee, Fla. (Godby)