Agree to disagree.
I am not sure if Johnson moves to safety if we don't lose Isheem Young and other depth at safety from a year ago. Also, not clear to me if Freyler starts over Young / McDonald. But don't have snap counts by player, by game....
If we look at the depth charts at free safety all 3 guys from the Clemson game are in the portal:
King, Amos, Morgan
If we look at the other two spots the only guy remaining now is Freyler with two in the portal and one an NFL UDFA:
Eisworth, McDonald (both gone)
Isheem Young, Freyler
So, from the final 2 deep of the season we have one of 7 guys left. I believe Young, McDonald, Freyler, and Johnson are part of your starting group at DB. Then you add one corner from Tampa, Kyle, and Purchase to be your 5th starter.
But if you want to say Freyler, Johnson start and the 3rd safety is McDonald or Young and we start 2 of tampa/kyle/purchase at CB... that is fine.
The reality is all 7 of those guys play a lot this year if they are all here. Doesn't really matter too much who is #1, who is an "or", etc. They would all play a lot. Losing 2 key pieces and 6 of your top 7 from your final depth chart at safety is not ideal - especially when 5 of the 6 are leaving via the portal.
Finally, there were 15 DBs that played and recorded stats on Def last year. Six participated and recorded stats in 10+ games. One ran out of eligibility, 4 transferred, 2 return. Those DBs forced 10 turnovers. All 10 are gone, 8 are in the portal.
I am optimistic about the young guys and love Freyler. But a football team is about depth. You need bodies with experience and talent beyond the starters. Its not about the top 3 at safety. It's the top 6 or 7.