“What a play from Vernon Hargreaves,” I thought, watching Florida’s win over Vanderbilt last season. “That’s why he’s the best.”

The acrobatic one-handed interception in the back of the end zone against the sporadic Johnny McCrary, after all, was a play reserved for highly-skilled cornerbacks who possess an innate ability at coaxing throws into coverage.

But it wasn’t the SEC’s top coverman who became an instant SportsCenter highlight that evening. It was Jalen Tabor, a highly-touted true freshman ballhawk who was coming into his own thanks to increased playing time toward the end of the season.

Tabor, along with fellow rising sophomore Duke Dawson, is the latest piece to Florida’s well-stocked cupboard on defense, especially at the back end, where the Gators expect to have one of the nation’s best units this season. Even without Will Muschamp calling the plays, Florida’s secondary could lead the SEC in interceptions judging by their updated philosophy under first-year DC Geoff Collins and stable of veterans.

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Collins, aptly-named ‘Minister of Mayhem’ during his time at Mississippi State, inherits a roster noticeably more talented across the board than what he had to work with in Starkville from a skills perspective. Not to discredit the Bulldogs’ effort on defense during his tenure, culminating with three draft picks (including two second-rounders) on defense in May, but depth was often a concern and big plays came in bunches.

At Florida, Collins will have arguably the most complete collection of players he’s had as a defensive coordinator if linebackers Jarrad Davis and Antonio Morrison return to full strength by the start of the season.

One of college football’s most consistent teams in getting after the quarterback last season, Mississippi State finished second in the SEC in sacks under Collins’ tutelage. That was matched up against primarily Western Division offensive lines, which gave up 33 fewer total sacks than its East brethren last fall.

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If that number’s approached this season thanks to returning pass rushers Alex McCalister, Bryan Cox Jr. and Jonathan Bullard, Florida’s secondary will feast as a result.

How does Collins describe his frantic, pressure-rich scheme?

“Having fun, flying around, energetic, violent, a little bit crazy,” Collins told GatorZone’s Scott Carter in December.

That admission has to excite Florida fans who are used to a similar disruptive game plan up front from Muschamp which produced stellar results. The Gators finished tied for second in the SEC with three other teams last fall with 16 interceptions and fifteen of those picks are coming back.

Florida’s 2015 secondary notables

  • Vernon Hargreaves, Jr.: Two-time All-American who has SEC-best 24 pass breakups since 2013
  • Marcus Maye, Jr.: His 62 tackles last fall led all Florida defensive backs
  • Keanu Neal, Jr.: One of SEC’s hardest-hitting safeties who recorded 3 INTs, 45 tackles last fall
  • Brian Poole, Sr.: Two-year starter who picked off Jameis Winston twice last season
  • Jalen Tabor, Soph.: 31 tackles, 2 sacks and a INT as a freshman
  • Duke Dawson, Soph.: 14 tackles, INT as a freshman