I'd rather there be no whining when players leave. I do think that Epps (and any player) is replaceable. Other players have to step up. Maybe the coaches need to adjust scheme and play calling. Life goes on.
Anecdotal example: I coach soccer and lost 4 starters to premier teams (4 of the top 5 players on my team — 9 starters) — they were replaced with much lesser players. Our W/L record the next season in the same league was exactly the same. The current team is playing much better as a team. And the players that left continue to play well on their respective teams.
And I wish that BYU fans would leave departing players alone.