Stanford football’s strength could shift to offense in 2015

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In 2014, Stanford’s defense was superb despite the loss of several key players from the previous season, but for most of the year the offense wasn’t nearly as good as expected. The 2015 Cardinal, however, might flip that equation.

They’ll have a lot of people back on offense, but the defense could be ravaged by the loss of at least eight starters, and as many as nine.

In a worst-case scenario for Stanford, a herd of talented juniors will enter the NFL draft. Cornerback Alex Carter has announced that he’s leaving, and wide receiver Devon Cajuste said he’s staying. That leaves quarterback Kevin Hogan, offensive tackle Andrus Peat and cornerback Wayne Lyons to make their calls. Additionally, safety Zach Hoffpauir could opt to leave for pro baseball. The rout of Maryland in the Foster Farms Bowl on Tuesday might have been the swan song for all of them.

Where all this leaves Stanford in what will almost certainly be a post-Marcus Mariota Pac-12 isn’t clear. It was the year of the quarterback in the conference, but Oregon’s Mariota, the Heisman winner, will most likely be gone along with UCLA junior Brett Hundley, who has stated his intention to turn pro, and seniors Sean Mannion of Oregon State and Connor Halliday of Washington State.

Cody Kessler will be back on a loaded USC team, and Jared Goff should preside over a much improved Cal team. If Hogan returns, he would be the most experienced quarterback in the league. He would need to be much more consistent as a passer than he was this season, especially because Stanford figures to give up a lot more points in 2015.

If Hogan leaves, the job probably will fall to current No. 2 Evan Crower or current freshman Keller Chryst of Palo Alto, although Ryan Burns is also a possibility. None of them poses the running threat that Hogan does. Without that escape factor when things break down, there might be some growing pains while the new man is broken in.

Most Stanford fans are eager to see freshman tailback Christian McCaffrey play a much larger role in the offense, although Remound Wright and Barry Sanders will be back to share the ball-carrying load. Incoming freshman Cameron Scarlett of Portland, Ore., probably will redshirt because he’s coming off knee surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Holdover Patrick Skov and current freshman Daniel Marx will man the fullback spot.

The offensive line will return almost intact, although right tackle Kyle Murphy may move to the left side if Peat leaves, and either Casey Tucker or Nick Davidson probably would take over on the right side. Heralded freshman Dalton Schultz will join an already excellent group of tight ends, led by Austin Hooper. With the formidable Cajuste back to join Michael Rector and Francis Owusu, the wide receiver corps will be in fine shape.

Stanford's Christian McCaffrey runs back a punt against Maryland in the Foster Farms Bowl. Cardinal fans are looking to see McCaffrey play a larger role on offense in the 2015 season. Stanford's Christian McCaffrey runs back a punt against Maryland in the Foster Farms Bowl. Cardinal fans are looking to see McCaffrey play a larger role on offense in the 2015 season. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Stanford football’s strength could shift to offense in 2015 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

On defense, the strength will be linebackers Blake Martinez (2014’s leading tackler), Kevin Anderson and Peter Kalambayi, with Kevin Palma, Noor Davis and others waiting in the wings. Aziz Shittu, Solomon Thomas and Harrison Phillips figure to start on a thin defensive line.

If Hoffpauir leaves, the secondary will have just one highly experienced player with the expected return of senior cornerback Ronnie Harris for a fifth year, although freshman corner Terrence Alexander saw more action as the season went on. Ra’Chard Pippens or Alameen Murphy might step in at corner. Kodi Whitfield, a converted receiver, and Dallas Lloyd, a converted quarterback, will be candidates at safety, along with current freshman Denzel Franklin.

That’s a ton of question marks for a defense that has been loaded with exclamation marks for several years.

A couple of Southern California kickers who can also punt — Jake Bailey and walk-on Charlie Beall, both incoming freshmen — are expected to share the duties vacated by kicker Jordan Williamson and punter Ben Rhyne. One of them might even handle both jobs.

Bailey, out of Santa Fe Christian in Solana Beach (San Diego County), will be one of the most intriguing newcomers. He made field goals of 54, 50 and 49 yards this season, and he’s also a former wide receiver and defensive back who runs a 4.48 in the 40. As a junior he returned interceptions 107 and 75 yards in the same game.

Northwestern and Central Florida are new nonconference opponents on the 2015 schedule, joining Notre Dame. Stanford plays the usual attractive home schedule for an odd year, including Arizona, UCLA, Washington, Oregon, Cal and Notre Dame.

Tom FitzGerald is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: tfitzgerald@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @tomgfitzgerald