So have we. Our D-line transfers have been stars (truly, every single one was a home run, they did a fantastic job evaluating), but so have our linebackers, who are all home grown and developed. Technically, Rodriguez is a transfer but he was a walk-on a few years ago. They were very good last year as well, but they didn't have a good D-line to allow them to play so it didn't really matter.
Our problems last year were QB health (which has still been an issue this season, just from pure bad luck) and the trenches. We had an elite RB, and very good positional talent across the board (aside from depth issues in the secondary, which we also shored up in the portal), we just had a crappy O-line and D-line. It really struck me how dramatic the difference was YOY when we played UH and I saw one of our starting offensive tackles from last season starting for them and just getting his ass absolutely handed to him play after play. Our O-line hasn't been perfect this year but they have made the plays they've needed to make.
Beyond all that is said about Joey, and I've been on the fence with him myself since he got here, what he is really good at is hiring the right people and getting players to buy in to the culture and how they want things done. It is a remarkable thing to have such an influx of new talent, many of whom were seen as mercenary, and have them all come together so quickly, play for each other, and have zero locker room issues or anything even resembling such. That kind of thing doesn't happen by accident and he has to be given his flowers for that.