Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Heading into the season the Florida Gators defense will need to be the backbone of the team as the offense tries to find their footing and an identity.

Yeah, I know, broken record, tired old book, but here it is, yet again.

As in years past there will be big named to replace. Geoff Collins takes over as the defensive coordinator and his first task is trying to find a way to replace the No. 3 overall pick in Dante Fowler Jr. and find enough healthy players at linebacker to give his defense some bite.

Collins’ defense doesn’t have the same kind of star power that past Gator defenses have had but he should have enough to put forth one of the best defenses in the SEC and in the country.

RUSH: Alex McCalister RS, Junior | CeCe Jefferson, Freshman

Think of the “RUSH” position as the “Buck” position from years past. It’s sort of a hybrid strongside linebacker/weakside defensive end.

Alex McCalister broke on to the scene last year with 23 tackles, eight for a loss and six sacks. Fowler’s former roommate, McCalister will be the one spearheading the attempt to replace Fowler. McCalister continues to add size and bulk to his frame and that size helped him make a quantum leap from two years ago to last season. He’s an intriguing player to keep an eye on heading into 2015 if he continues on that progression path.

Jefferson will be used in a role similar to what Ronald Powell and Dante Fowler were used as freshman. Jefferson will be used primarily on passing downs where the playbook for his position is simple; get to the quarterback quickly. As he learns and grows that role with expand.

The Rest: Jordan Sherit, RS Sophomore | Justus Reed RS, Freshman | Jabari Zuniga, Freshman | Luke Ancrum, Freshman

Sherit came on nicely in the spring. He was always a player that was going to need a few years to get bigger and develop but he’s well on his way to coming into his own. I think Sherit will get marginal playing time this season on passing downs and is a year away from being a big contributor to the defense.

Justus Reed has added a ton of size during his redshirt season and he was much improved in the spring. However, technique wise, Reed is still in a developmental stage. He can contribute this season but his limited skill set, currently, will limit how many packages he will be in and his overall involvement in the defense.

Zuniga was one of the most overlooked prospects in the 2015 recruiting cycle. He’s still a little bit raw as a prospect but he has all the tools to develop into a serious pass-rushing threat. Ancrum could see playing time this year but could benefit from a redshirt season.

Strong Side Defensive End: Jon Bullard, Senior | Bryan Cox Jr., RS Junior

Jon Bullard made a tough decision to come back to school for his senior season and I believe it will benefit him. Bullard had 53 tackles last season, 8.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He really came on towards the end of the season with great games against Florida State and ECU to finish his junior campaign. Bullard will play inside and outside as needed, his versatility is a huge asset to Collins and the Gators defense.

Cox had a breakout three sack game against Tennessee, just days after his grandfather passed away. Cox finished the year out strong, totaling 29 tackles and six for a loss. His playing time in 2014 was limited, stuck behind Fowler and McCalister on the depth chart but his role will be increased in 2015. Cox, like many freshmen, came into school and needed a year to develop but he is a player that looks better each time you see him and could be poised for an even better year.

Defensive Tackle: Taven Bryan, RS Freshman | Caleb Brantley, RS, Sophomore

The Wyoming Wild Man, as his defensive line coach likes to call him, Bryan missed his freshman season with an illness but has impressed both coaching staffs he’s played for. Bryan’s combination of size and speed is rare and he’s taken hold of a starting spot on the inside of the defensive line. Bryan’s has a blue collar, lunch-pail work ethic and he continues to grow and learn new techniques. He’s a player to keep an eye on as a breakout star in 2015.

The issue with Brantley has been keeping him motivated. Brantley has taken tough coaching personally and many of his former teammates say he needs to work on being coachable, letting the last play, good or bad, and move on from it. Brantley has all of the tools to be a great player, he just needs to put it all together.

The Rest: Thomas Holley, RS Freshman | Andrew Ivie, Freshman

Holley has dealt with several injuries that derailed his freshman season and then his first spring camp. His role will be based solely on how healthy he is throughout the season. Ivie showed up on campus over 300 pounds and looks to be holding the size well. He’s a wrestler, which helps him understand leverages and his older brother will be by his side to guide him through his freshman season.

Nose Tackle: Joey Ivie, Junior | Khairi Clark, RS Freshman

Joey Ivie was named by several former Gators as the most impressive defensive linemen on the team and finished his sophomore season with 24 tackles. Ivie took the starting job in the spring and never looked back.

Clark needed a year to get his body ready for the SEC. He has shed some weight and should be ready to jump into the defensive line rotation this season.

The Rest: Jay-nard Bostwick, RS Sophomore

Bostwick missed most of the spring dealing with what the coaching staff called “personal issues.” His status with the team and role on the defense remains in limbo.

Will Linebacker: Jarrad Davis, Junior | Daniel McMillian, Junior

Davis spent the spring on the sideline nursing a knee injury but will be full go for the fall. Davis has been a special teams standout during his first two seasons at Florida and will take on a bigger role on the defense. Davis totaled 23 tackles last season, while missing the last three games of the year. Davis has shown a lot of potential but has really yet to have the breakout season fans have been waiting for.

McMillian had a very good spring as a rushing linebacker. However, he showed his weakness in coverage so that could limit his role in the fall.

The Rest: Jeremi Powell, RS Junior | Rayshad Jackson, Freshman

Powell has been mainly a special teams players at Florida and, while there is a chance his role on the defense could grow, he’s likely to play mainly special teams again this season. Rayshad Jackson is an intriguing prospect but unless there are injuries to a thin linebacker unit, he will likely redshirt.

Mike Linebacker: Alex Anzalone, Junior | Matt Rolin, RS Sophomore

Alex Anzalone had the entire defense thrown onto his shoulders in the spring and he carried it with ease. Anzalone looked like a natural making calls and checks, lining up defensive linemen and making sure the other 10 players on his side of the ball knew what they were doing. He’s going to get a chance to shine and show why he was a five-star recruit this season.

Matt Rolin looked as healthy as he has since he’s been at Florida. Two ACL surgeries may have taken a step away from him but Rolin has the right mindset regarding, life, football and his career. He is ready to go all out this season, the first opportunity he’s had to really play football since his senior year of high school.

The Rest: Antonio Morrison, Senior

Assuming Morrison is healthy he would be the starter at middle linebacker. However, Morrison isn’t expected back for the start of the season and how he is able to return from his knee injury is a big question mark.