Editor’s note: We’re breaking down the Gators’ two-deep depth chart every day for the next two weeks. We’ll cover every position as well as offer a glimpse into the future. You can read the whole series here.

CORNERBACK

The starters: Sophomore Vernon Hargreaves III and true freshman Jalen Tabor

The backups: Junior Brian Poole and true freshman Duke Dawson

The rest: True freshmen J.C. Jackson, Quincy Wilson and Deiondre Porter

The lowdown: Florida is on a major roll in terms of producing NFL cornerbacks, and the next in line could be the best one yet. Hargreaves arrived last summer with the aura of an elite freshman. His physical tools and ability to convert coaching into advanced technique earned him instant respect and playing time. He tied a school record with 11 pass breakups and was named first-team All-SEC, the first time UF had a freshman earn that honor since 1991. Hargreaves returns as the anchor of the secondary and will be counted on to shut down an opponent's best receiving threat every week. His experience in starting the final 10 games of the 2013 season will be invaluable, as Florida lost all four of its other starters from the secondary last season. With so many departures, the Gators have no choice but to throw some true freshmen into the fire this fall. Tabor and Dawson enrolled early and shared first-team reps throughout spring. Coaches love Tabor's long arms and ability to cover a lot of ground, while Dawson was just as good in coverage and showed more of a physical edge. The Gators play a lot of nickel, so it really doesn't matter which freshman corner wins the starting job opposite Hargreaves. There will be plenty of playing time for Tabor, Dawson and Poole, who started six games last season as UF's nickel back.

The future: Florida coach Will Muschamp had to load up on cornerbacks in his 2014 class after junior starters Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson left early for the NFL. Those openings allowed Muschamp to reel in five cornerbacks, four of whom were ranked in the ESPN 300. Jackson is an electric athlete with the ball in his hands. Florida coaches are planning to start his career at cornerback, but there could be a strong temptation to use him on offense and in the kick return game this fall. Wilson, at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds, is athletic enough to play corner but has the frame to eventually move to safety. Porter, a late addition to Florida's 2013 class, played quarterback in high school and can also play wide receiver but will get a first look at corner. Knowing Hargreaves and Poole are likely around for just two more seasons, Florida is continuing to recruit this position with zeal. The Gators have two pledges for 2015. Marcus Lewis, at 6-foot-2, 187 pounds, is another cornerback who could be a safety someday. Jalen Julius is an athlete who could also end up at wide receiver. The Gators' top remaining target is former Syracuse commit Davante Davis, who camped at UF last week and got an offer. At 6-3, he's another long defensive back who would offer position versatility.