Navy has dramatically improved the caliber of its recruiting over the past decade-plus. Long-time followers of the program can look at the players on the field in 2016 and know the talent is light years better than it was when Paul Johnson took over as head coach in 2002.
That being said, the Midshipmen are still fielding a lineup filled with numerous players that did not have any other Football Bowl Subdivision offers. There are several others that had FBS offers, but from lesser conferences such as the Mid-American and Sun Belt.
Bottom line, Navy remains at a disadvantage when it comes to overall size, speed and strength as compared to most opponents on the schedule.