The old guard is out. The new guard is in.
Jonathan Bullard and Dante Fowler Jr. — if you don’t know those names, write them down now.
With Sharrif Floyd in the NFL, Omar Hunter trying to catch on in the pros, Dominique Easley out for the season and Ronald Powell at linebacker, Florida’s defensive line is in the hands of those two sophomores.
Bullard and Fowler have progressed from touted recruits to forces on the line in one year, and they are only going to get better.
Both players made strong impressions last season in limited time.
Fowler made 30 tackles, including 8.5 for losses and 2.5 sacks.
Bullard had 27 tackles — five for a loss — and 1.5 sacks.
All of those stats will likely be surpassed this season.
Bullard has 10 tackles and already reached his sack total from 2012.
Fowler has six tackles behind the line and three sacks.
The Gators need that.
Easley missing the rest of the season is not a death sentence for Florida’s pass rush and run defense, but it does put UF’s season in the intensive care unit.
The offense is average at its best, pitiful at its worst.
The defense has to step up and take over games to give Florida a shot against good teams.
That was a tall order before Easley suffered his injury. Now, it looks even taller.
But if UF is going to continue to dominate on defense, Bullard and Fowler must lead the unit.
The pairing has the ability to terrorize offensive lines. Fowler showed that in the Gators’ last two games.
Against Tennessee on Sept. 21, punter Kyle Christy botched a snap, giving the Volunteers excellent field position at the Florida 15-yard line. Tennessee was going to score.
Two plays into UT’s drive, Fowler introduced himself to Volunteers running back Rajion Neal, blowing past the right tackle and careening into the halfback. Fowler forced the ball out of Neal’s hands and onto the ground.
The sophomore reached out and brought the ball to his chest, giving Florida possession and inducing a screaming cameo on national television for Tennessee coach Butch Jones.
Jones wanted Fowler flagged for being offside, but the sophomore clearly lined up correctly. Don’t worry about getting that wrong, Butch. Fowler is just that good.
Fowler dominated another drive a week later in Lexington, Ky.
He blew up two pass plays late in the fourth quarter, sacking quarterback Maxwell Smith twice in the span of five plays for a combined loss of 18 yards.
Bullard was instrumental in stopping the Kentucky defense as well.
The 270-pound lineman filled in at tackle in the Gators’ first game without Easley and did an admirable job. He had three tackles and 1.5 sacks for a loss of 9 yards.
Easley won’t be easy to replace. The senior brought energy and talent to the line that is not often seen.
Whether he was dancing between plays, rolling around before the snap or pushing the center back 10 feet, Easley made his presence known.
But if Florida is going to compete for a division or conference title this season, they need Bullard and Fowler to fill some big dancing shoes.
Follow Adam Lichtenstein on Twitter @ALichtenstein24.
Dante Fowler Jr. (6) and Ronald Powell (7) celebrate after a play during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday in Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.
