1. Ryan GardnerThe junior nose guard has a massive hole to fill – figuratively and literally – with the graduation of standout Ben Garland, who in 2009 made a team-high 10.5 tackles for losses and dominated the interior of the trenches. But Gardner had a solid spring, giving coaches confidence there will not be a significant drop-off. Gardner is listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds but is quick and uses his hands well.

2. Tim JeffersonCould this be a breakout year for the junior quarterback? After winning Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2008, he had an up-and-down sophomore campaign while battling an injured ankle, playing with a torn meniscus and being usurped (briefly) by Connor Dietz. But Jefferson showed his improved passing chops late in the season – specifically in the Armed Forces Bowl victory over Houston, when he completed 10-of-14 passes for 161 yards – and re-established himself as the Falcons’ clear starter. With a healthy knee, he might be able to run like he did as a freshman and become one of the Mountain West Conference’s most dangerous dual-threat signal-callers.

3. Wale Lawal Jr.On the first play of his college career, Lawal forced a fumble with a tackle for a loss, scooped up the ball and ran 10 yards for a touchdown. That came in garbage time during the fourth quarter of the Falcons’ opener against Nichols State of the Football Championship Subdivision. But because of a rash of injuries to outside linebackers, Lawal played quality snaps later in the season and made four starts. In his first start, against Wyoming, he made eight tackles (tied for second-most on the team) with a sack and a pass break-up. Lawal should push for a starting spot this season, especially if outside linebackers Patrick Hennessey and Alex Means struggle to return from injuries.

4. Darius Jones/Cody GetzThe pair of sophomore tailbacks both showed flashes of big-time ability in 2009 and during spring practices. Both are small – Jones is listed at 5-9, 160 pounds, and Getz is listed at 5-7, 170 – but they bring explosiveness to the backfield and could emerge as quality change-up options to junior starter Asher Clark. Jones showed big-play potential and breakaway speed in the spring, while Getz’s quickness (and size and home state – Georgia) have reminded some of former Falcon great Chad Hall.

5. Brian Lindsay/Phil OfiliOne of them will be the lone new starter in the secondary, replacing graduated three-year starting strong safety Chris Thomas. Lindsay, a physical sophomore, had the edge coming out of spring practices and begins camp listed as the starter. But Ofili, a junior, is right behind him on the two-deep chart and has some playing experience.

Colorado’s Dexter Fowler is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a Seth Smith double off Chicago’s Ryan Dempster in the third inning Friday night. Photo by MATT MCCLAIN, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Matt McClain