The Commodores defense might be a little better than some are anticipating in 2015.

With head coach Derek Mason taking on the defensive coordinator responsibilities and the Commodores returning many of its top defenders from a season ago, there is the possibility for marked improvement on that side of the ball.

Plenty of those players will be featured on this list.

But there’s an alarmingly low number of offensive skill-position players to even consider as a part of the countdown. The Commodores will have to hope some of the youngsters, such as WR Trent Sherfield, take their game to the next level this season.

Here’s our look at the top 10 Commodores for 2015:

10. OL Andrew Jelks: If Vanderbilt is going to have a successful quarterback this season, it is likely going to be at least partially a result of solid blindside protection from Jelks. The junior has 21 starts under his belt, including nine in a SEC All-Freshman performance in 2013.

9. KR Darrius Sims: Sims made a name for himself as one of the league’s top kick returners during last season, which was highlighted by his two kickoffs returned for touchdowns against South Carolina. The coaching staff has moved Sims from defensive back to offense in 2015, with the idea of getting the ball in his hands as often as possible.

8. OL Spencer Pulley: As the offensive line’s most experienced player, the Commodores will turn to Pulley as a leader on the offensive side of the ball this season. He has started 29 games during his career, including 25 consecutive games. Pulley started all 12 games at right guard last year, but has been asked to slide over to center this season to replace Joe Townsend.

7. CB Torren McGaster: McGaster drew mostly positive reviews from his first year as a starting cornerback in 2014. He was first on the team in solo tackles (46), tied for the lead in interceptions (two) and finished third on the defense with 66 total tackles. Is likely to be considered the Commodores top defensive back in 2015.

6. DL Caleb Azubike: This guy looks like, and sometimes plays like, an NFL prospect. Azubike was shuffled between outside linebacker and defensive end during the implementation of Derek Mason’s 3-4 defense during 2014, but has since settled in at his natural position on the defensive line. The senior is at his best when he’s pinning his ears back and rushing the quarterback.

5. DL Adam Butler: While his 35 tackles in 2014 don’t pop off the screen at you, Butler is considered one of the Commodores’ most important defensive linemen. His 7.5 tackles for loss ranked second on the team last season. A consistent contributor during the past two seasons after moving from the offensive line, Vanderbilt will be looking for another step forward from Butler in his third season on defense.

4. TE Steven Scheu: Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the 2014 season was the emergence of Scheu as a pass-catching threat from the tight end position. An All-SEC selection, Scheu led the Commodores with 525 receiving yards on 39 catches. He is expected to again be a focal point of the Vanderbilt offense in 2015, offering a reliable target on a team that lacks experienced wide receivers.

3. LB Stephen Weatherly: Amidst a tumultuous first year under Derek Mason, Weatherly was one of the few Vanderbilt players to experience a true breakout season in 2014. His 12.5 tackles for loss last season has been topped by just one Commodore since 1998 (Tim Fugger had 13.5 in 2011). Perfectly suited an outside linebacker in Mason’s 3-4 scheme, Weatherly is one of the league’s more underrated pass rushers.

2. LB Nigel Bowden: Perhaps the next great Vanderbilt linebacker, Bowden had an immediate impact as a freshman starter last season. He led the team with 78 tackles in 2014, becoming the first freshman to do so since former Commodores great LB Jamie Winborn in 1998. A strong leader in the heart of the defense, this is clearly the player Mason wants to build his defense around in coming seasons.

1. RB Ralph Webb: There are high expectations for Webb in 2015 after the running back set a Vanderbilt freshman rushing record with 904 yards last season. With the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position at Vanderbilt, Webb is likely to see his share of attention from opposing defensive coordinators this fall. To take his game to the next level, Webb will need to continue to improve in pass-blocking situations and become more of a threat as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.