Berry and Jones are the exceptions. Look at the other people you named.
Stephens-took too long to get his shot, it took Phil 3 straight losses to legitimate competition to take his head out of Crompton's lap. He only made the move in an attempt to save his job and to avoid having a 60% full stadium for Northern Illinois.
Cooper-only playing because of injury to Holbert
Moore-Just now getting more playing time because has made the 2 biggest offensive plays of the season as the 4th or 5th option at receiver.
Creer-only 15 carries all season. 7.9 per carry, 2 TDs, UT's longest run of the year, yet he is averaging 2.5 carries per game.
Reviez-not playing much other than special teams, 11 total tackles in 6 games
Warren-playing time has been steadily decreasing, has been ballyhooed as a big offensive playmaker, yet he is seen on the field less and less.
Vinson-Only started last year because of the injuries and dismissals of all the DBs ahead of him on the depth chart. There were no other serious options.
Funny you should list Jones and Berry as "exceptions" since that's the point. If you're good enough to play as a Fr you will. It's not one jot more complicated than that.
Putting aside Cooper not beating out or at least splitting time with a healthy Holbert (pure speculation on your part) we still put an underclassman in the position, injuries or otherwise. Same with Vinson. You realize your actually making excuses FOR the coaching staff when they play an UC, right?
Creer bugs me because I really like him. On paper he's got the whole package. He's not beating people out for playing time though and if you look at his YPC against better competition you won't like what you find. Small sample size? Perhaps, but if he's THAT good he needs to show it when he gets the chance against the big guys.
I like Warren too but there's been rumors he's not caught up on routes and, frankly, he's dropping passes at an alarming rate in the opportunities he's been given.
Moore caught his first pass the first game of his true Fr year. He's been on the field plenty for a relatively unheralded (3*) player.
It's a MYTH people. If somebody is good enough they'll find their way on the field. The list of Fr/So that were good enough to play here is extensive. I bet everybody reading this can come up with several right off the top of their head. This is nothing more than frustration for a losing team. If we were undefeated right now with exactly the same players on the field we wouldn't be having any of this talk.