In many ways, Auburn is getting a fresh start in 2015. Gus Malzahn and his potent read-option offense aren’t going anywhere, but there will be changes about elsewhere.

From a new leader at quarterback to retooled running back and receiving corps, the offense will have plenty of new faces. The other side of the ball will see even more change, with defensive mastermind Will Muschamp coming in as coordinator.

With so much change, there will still be plenty of continuity. Today, we take a look at the Tigers’ five best returning players.

5. DE DaVonte Lambert — Much is being made of the addition of Byron Cowart and the return of Carl Lawson, but the Tigers had a pretty impressive defensive end already on the roster in 2014. The pass rush lacked any punch beyond Lambert, who registered 7.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in his first season out of JUCO. After starting the season on the bench, Lambert worked into the starting lineup within the first month of the season. With reinforcements coming, he should be more effective in 2015.

4. QB Jeremy Johnson — Putting Johnson on this list might be a bit of a stretch, as we’ve only seen him throw 78 passes in his college career. But expectations are high for the junior, and for good reason. With a huge arm and an ability to move around in the pocket, Johnson will give Malzahn a new kind of passer. While the running option will be reduced, Johnson will be far more of a threat to move the ball downfield through the air than Nick Marshall was.

3. LB Cassanova McKinzy — McKinzy, along with Kris Frost (an honorable mention here), spurned a shot at the NFL to return for his senior season. While he was inconsistent as a junior, McKinzy was still second on the team in tackles (91) and first in tackles for loss (11.0). Muschamp will be able to build around the senior middle linebacker, while having an ace DC should help McKinzy iron out his issues in pass coverage and become a more complete player.

2. CB Jonathan Jones — The rising senior is another one of the most crucial pieces Muschamp inherits on defense. The ball-hawking cornerback led the Tigers with six interceptions and 17 passes defended in 2014, shaking off the injuries that plagued the early years of his career. Muschamp will be able to rely on the 2014 second-team All-SEC performer to blanket his man one-on-one on the outside.

1. WR D’haquille Williams — Just about everyone assumed Williams, a junior college transfer, would be one-and-done with the Tigers, especially after he battled injuries late in the season. After being suspened for the bowl game, Williams announced his intention to return for his senior season. Good thing, too, after losing Sammie Coates and Quan Bray. Williams has a claim as the most talented returning receiver in the conference and will be the guy for Jeremy Johnson.