With 10 former starters moving on to the NFL (seven draftees, two free-agent signings and one camp invitee), it’s safe to say the 2015 Gators lost many of their top players. It’s become expected for the Florida defense to lead the way, and that side of the ball should be in good shape with top contributors returning from all three position groups. As usual, the offense has its question marks, needing to replace starters at all the skill positions.

Now that the books are closed on spring practice, these are the top 10 players on the Gators:

10. Luke Del Rio, QB

It’s always a good sign that the most important player on the field is also one of the best players on the team. Del Rio isn’t the most gifted athlete in the world, but he has intelligence and maturity on his side. In the spring game, Del Rio was able to quickly read the defense and find his open receiver. The matchups on Saturdays this fall are going to be more difficult than the second-team defense, but as long as Del Rio can read the defense and make the right decision, the Gators are in good shape.

9. David Sharpe, LT

Florida’s offensive line was a problem area in 2015. The good news for the Gators, especially for Del Rio, is that Sharpe will anchor the 2016 line at left tackle. Sharpe progressed this spring and should be extra motivated this fall in his “contract year.” How the 6-foot-6, 347-pound Sharpe plays as a junior will likely determine his draft status.

8. Marcus Maye, S

As the returning starter at strong safety, Maye is the glue holding together a secondary breaking in new starters at cornerback, free safety and nickelback. Maye brings more than just experience to the secondary. He’s a hard hitter (5 forced fumbles, 6 pass breakups) and top tackler (82 tackles in 2015, fourth-most on the team).

7. Quincy Wilson, CB

Following the departure of Vernon Hargreaves III, Wilson is the cornerback who will be asked to step up and start alongside Jalen Tabor. Hargreaves leaves big shoes to fill, but Wilson is excellent in coverage, recording 2 interceptions and 5 pass breakups last season. By comparison, Hargreaves notched 4 interceptions and 4 pass breakups. Wilson was limited somewhat by injury early in the spring but has starter status locked down.

6. DeAndre Goolsby, TE

If the spring game is any indication, the Gators will be throwing to the middle of the field much more in 2016. As an athletic tight end with good hands, Goolsby can be a mismatch nightmare for defenses. With a lack of playmaking receivers not named Antonio Callaway, expect Del Rio to be looking for Goolsby frequently this fall.

5. CeCe Jefferson, DT

As a freshman, Jefferson showed a special combination of athleticism, speed and strength that made him an offensive tackle’s worst nightmare (29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks). Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins and position coach Chris Rumph are going to try to get Jefferson to apply those same attributes at defensive tackle in 2016. By all accounts, Jefferson is a quick learner and embracing the move inside, even if it means fewer quarterback sacks on his personal highlight reel.

4. Jarrad Davis, LB

Anywhere on the field, sideline to sideline, Davis can make a play. As a junior, Davis did it all (98 total tackles, 11 TFL, 7 quarterback hurries, 3.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups) alongside Antonio Morrison. With Morrison now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, it’s Davis’ turn to lead the linebackers. If you play in the SEC East and regularly touch the football, there’s a good chance Davis will be tackling you this fall.

3. Caleb Brantley, DT

Earlier this spring, Brantley called himself the best defensive lineman in the country. That’s debatable as he might not even be the best defensive lineman on the Gators, but his confidence is admirable. Brantley had the opportunity to go to the NFL after last season, but he instead opted to return for another season like his former teammate Jonathan Bullard chose to do a year ago. With Jefferson learning how to play defensive tackle, Brantley is expected to lead the way and step up in Bullard’s absence.

2. Jalen Tabor, CB

It might seem surprising that the UF secondary is considered a strong point this season after losing three starters, but any unit that returns a talent like Tabor is a team strength. As a sophomore, Tabor was Florida’s best cornerback last season (4 INTs, 14 pass breakups), even better than Hargreaves (4 INTs, 4 pass breakups), the No. 11 overall pick in the NFL draft.

With Tabor’s true lockdown coverage and a knack for takeaways, quarterbacks are taking a serious risk throwing in his direction. If quarterbacks do take that risk, Tabor’s junior season could be one of the best cornerback performances in Florida history.

1. Antonio Callaway, WR

The list, and Callaway’s placement, is a reflection of Florida’s paramount issue heading into the fall. Callaway, who has been indefinitely suspended since the start of spring, was Florida’s top playmaker in 2015, both as a wide receiver (35 catches, 678 yards, 4 TD) and a punt returner (2 TD). Without him, the Gators are not the same team.

While there have been positive reports about Florida’s receiving corps this spring, no one has filled Callaway’s shoes. Junior college transfer WR Dre Massey is a speedy threat in the slot, but Callaway was able to burn cornerbacks on the exterior. None of the other receivers, including Massey, have shown Callaway’s ability to make people miss with the ball in their hands.

It’s not surprising that the majority of Florida’s top players are on defense, but if the Gators are looking to repeat as SEC East champions, they’ll need more than Massey and Goolsby in the passing game. In the meantime, Gator Nation anxiously awaits an update on the status of Callaway.

Honorable mentions: P Johnny Townsend, RB Jordan Cronkrite, WR Dre Massey