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Super sophomores Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson normally cross each other on the field. One player steps off and the other enters. Playing time is earned, not given, in a crowded secondary that has adopted the moniker of "DBU," and most recently, "Deathroll Defense."

On the opposite side of the field stands an imposing specimen: revered All-American Vernon Hargreaves III . The two cornerbacks stand in the shadow of this giant, all 5-foot-11 of him. Drive by drive, they rotate for this honor.

For the 6-foot, 191-pound Tabor, a former five-star recruit out of Washington D.C., and the 6-foot-1, 209-pound Wilson, a former four-star hailing from Fort Lauderdale, this is their reality, one that they have readily accepted.

"We went back and forth with starting last year," Wilson said. "It really made us go hard in practice and elevate our game."

Both Tabor and Wilson made crucial plays for the Gators last season. Tabor led all freshmen with 31 tackles, while Wilson came in second with 22.

Tabor sacked, stripped, and recovered the fumble of Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley late in the third quarter of last year's 10-9 win. The Gators trailed 9-0, before the Gators took over at Tennessee's 30-yard line and went on to score 10 unanswered. Tabor also recorded a spectacular, one-handed catch in the end zone against Vanderbilt that capped the 34-10 win and put all possibility of a comeback to rest.

Wilson also made one of the most acrobatic interceptions of the year against Jameis Winston and the Seminoles, as he peeled back behind the route of FSU wide receiver Jesus Wilson and dove outstretched, bringing the bobbling ball to his body as he rotated his left shoulder underneath.

"We all know we're talented," said Tabor of the loaded secondary. "We all know we can play and we're comfortable in our own skin. At the end of the day no matter who goes out there we know the job is going to get done no matter who goes out there."

Tabor and Wilson mirror each other in many ways.

Asked how they compare, Wilson said, "I believe we're really similar. The only different thing is that I weigh more. But me and him, we're close. We don't really look at it as a competition. We're just making each other better."

Indeed, it helps that they play in a system where they can feed off each other's success and the starting role is so transitory.

"The starter is really determined on who does better in practice," Wilson pointed out. "Whoever does better that week will start."

He added, "I think for the guys, we have a rotation, just like last year, Jalen one drive, me one drive."

Wilson may also alleviate some competition with Tabor due to his ability to play in the slot and both sides of the field, while Tabor has focused mostly in fall camp on locking down the side opposite Hargreaves. In time, they may occupy different niches.

"It really doesn't matter because we can do dime and that's more DBs on the field," Wilson said. "I know nickel, dime and corner."

And while it is Wilson's first time playing nickel, he is excited for any opportunity to make plays.

"You can make plays there because you can blitz more in the zone coverage's," he said, referring to the extra defensive back a nickel defense provides.

Added Tabor: "I feel like we get along so well off the field, we're like brothers. We're gonna fight; we fight sometimes, we argue, we get on each other hard and at the end of the day we all know that we're for one another. If I make a play, Quincy or anyone in the secondary makes a play, we all made a play.

"I wouldn't say there is any jealousy because at the end of the day we all have one goal, to be the best secondary in the country. We feel like we can accomplish that goal."

And for those that expect little from a squad that's struggled the past couple of seasons?

"They just don't know what's coming," Wilson declared.