I don't think you understand how many players and recruits bailed during the Briles downfall. Not sure I would say they had plenty of talent. School had facilities, but a lot of funding was shifted to legal funds, not a lot left for the programs. The program was in shambles, talks of shutting it down completely, had less than 10 recruits for the season, most of the players, if they had the talent, transferred. It was a dumpster fire of epic proportions. Navigating that, and being successful as quickly as they were, is a testament to how good of a coach Rhule is.