You need to take some time off and reset. You have become unrealistically pessimistic.
1) "In trouble" is subjective. Jones didn't do UT any favors on the OL in 5 years. People hated on Dooley for his lack of OL recruiting... but Jones basically used scholarships. Dooley left an NFL caliber OL... not much depth but a head start. Whether Jones recruited good players or not or just stank up development remains to be seen.
Chance Hall if health and Smith are the only two returning players that we know are SEC caliber. Even if Mays signs, UT needs depth in the middle. Going after guys with some development and especially the Cal transfer just makes a ton of sense.
2) See above. You've associated two things that aren't necessarily associated then drawn a conclusion based on that association. UT needs more than one or two guys on the inside. Getting as many of these 3 plus some is important.
BUT... you also have to consider that Pruitt's S&C direction will be different than Jones' was. I suspect they'll be asked to carry more bulk into the season and the strength that comes with it. I also suspect that "pace" on O will be a matter of OL rotation if necessary rather than a sacrifice of power.
Most importantly though... I don't expect a real football coach to use the "techniques" that Jones tried (and failed) to teach UT's OL for 5 years. I expect them to go back to basics and give the OL's more opportunities to be aggressive. If you think Smith was nasty this past year... imagine if they really design the O so he can attack without hesitation.