I think calling it a direct byproduct is a little absurd. That secondary had 2 freshman all Americans, a 2nd round pick in Smith, and Rush (who is expected to get serious PT as a rookie in the NFL). That was a very talented group. That group held UT to one of their lowest outputs of the year.
I know Rush and Smith are gone, but I trust Torrian Gray to put a very solid group out there to replace them.
Plus, as it relates to UNC, they lost their top 2 receivers (by a mile), and the one guy they got to replace that production is unlikely to play. I don't think it's going to be on the secondary to win, it's going to be on the DL/LB group....with Nick E playing up near the LOS.