More spring football,

GAINESVILLE — UF long has made claim to the fictional title Defensive Back University — “DBU” for short.

But a season ago, the Gators’ vaunted secondary fell into a backpedal. Gone were three second-round NFL draft picks — safety Marcus Maye and cornerbacks Quincy Wilson and Jalen Tabor. DBU was left rebuilding and relying on some young, unproven players.

The group suffered growing pains during a 4-7 season. But under new direction, the Gators’ defensive backfield looks to reclaim its place among the nation’s best.

“I was telling the players, I think that Florida has a right to claim that,” firstyear UF safeties coach Ron English said. “I think it’s something that all Florida men should take pride in.”

Any accolades or achievements will have to be earned.

New cornerbacks coach Charlton Warren inherits a pair of sophomores, Marco Wilson and CJ Henderson, with the potential to form one of the SEC’s top tandems and a first-year freshman, Trey Dean, who was a 2018 Under Armour All-American.

Talent alone will not be enough.

“You’re always trying to grow as a young player,” Warren said. “You’re always trying to refine your technique, your fundamentals. Just learning more, expanding their football IQ is going to be big for them as they go along.”

Both English and Warren have spent the spring learning their players and weighing the right mix on the back end of the defense.

One key change has been junior Chauncey Gardner-Johnson’s move from safety to nickelback. A natural cornerback, Gardner-Johnson missed numerous tackles last September, but rebounded to finish second on the team with with 58 stops, including six for loss, and nine passes defensed.

At nickelback, his speed will allow him to disrupt the middle of the field and rush off the edge.

“I’m going to treat it like it’s my freshman year all over again,” GardnerJohnson said. “It’s new. We got new coaches, new players, got to treat everything like a new system. That’s what it is.”

Junior safety Jeawon Taylor will look to capitalize on a fresh start, once he is fully healthy.

Taylor started five of 10 games in 2017, but for the second time an injury ended his season and has been limited to non-contact drills this spring.

Sophomores Brad Stewart and Shawn Davis have shown a nose for the ball.

“He’s athletic, he can move around,” English said. “He’s got to learn what to do a little bit better so he can really play.”

While Davis has recorded some of the biggest hits of the spring, English said the Miami native is raw.

“He’s got to get a lot better,” English said.

Wilson and Henderson ended last season as starters and as two of the bright spots during a dismal season.

Wilson had a team-high 10 pass break-ups and was a surprisingly sure tackler — only five Gators had more than his 21 solo tackles. Henderson returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns.