A season removed from having one of the top defenses in college football, the Wisconsin football team’s defense will have much to live up to in 2015.

In an off-season filled with coaching changes at every position and a new head coach, the entire team is using spring practice to adjust to that learning curve. But the defense has an advantage: Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda is the lone remnant of the Gary Andersen-era. That stability has alleviated the transition process, redshirt junior outside linebacker Vince Biegel said.

“The comfort level is definitely strong,” Biegel said. “Obviously we have Coach Aranda back here. Same defense, same type of scheme, so it’s really kind of fine tuning what you did last year.”

The new defensive coaching staff includes Inoke Breckterfield (defensive line), Daronte Jones (defensive backs) and Tim Tibesar (outside linebackers). Aranda coaches the inside linebackers along with his coordinating duties.

Fifth-year senior safety Michael Caputo echoed that same idea, saying that the defense returning a majority of its starters only helps.

Caputo is part of a secondary unit that will return three-fourths of its starters. Cornerbacks Darius Hillary and Sojourn Shelton rejoin Caputo, while sophomore safety Lubern Figaro, who lost the starter job to now-departed Peniel Jean, will look to regain his spot full-time.

Devin Gaulden returns as the nickel corner, and junior college transfer Serge Trezy will look to contribute to the secondary as well.

With the departures of linebackers Marcus Trotter, Derek Landisch and nose guard Warren Herring forcing the Badgers to tap into their depth, Wisconsin will look to its returning upperclassmen on the defense to carry the success from 2014 into this season.

Junior Leon Jacobs and redshirt freshmen T.J. Edwards are potential candidates to fill the hole Trotter and Landsich left in the middle of the linebacker corps. Fourth-year junior Joe Schobert returns on the outside along with Biegel.

Redshirt sophomore lineman Chikwe Obasih will return to his spot at defensive end, while redshirt junior Arthur Goldberg will most likely slide inside and take over as nose guard. Jake Keefer and Alec James, who both received playing time last season, will compete (and probably rotate) for the final spot on the line.

Although Biegel called the first practice “low-key,” he was flying around during drills against the tight ends and fullbacks. That’s just an example of how Biegel envisions himself becoming a leader of the defense.

“For me, I’m out there as kind of an emotional leader, so getting in some guys faces, working out there hard and obviously emotions are gonna show on the first day,” Biegel said. “We’re just out there working hard and getting each other better at the end of the day.”

Despite new head coach Paul Chryst being more offensive-minded, Biegel said his attitude and vision applies to all facets of the game.

“I think he’s a perfect fit for Wisconsin, bringing that Wisconsin-type of mentality back here, really feeling comfortable with him here,” Biegel said. “I think a lot of the guys are on board with what we’re doing and where we’re going.”