Rutgers faced plenty of questions last year, but most of those pertained to the team's ability to compete in the Big Ten.

The Scarlet Knights answered many of those questions with a surprising 8-5 record. Now, coach Kyle Flood faces the challenge of replacing many of the key contributors to last season's success.

Rutgers returns a total of 11 starters (six defense, five offense). Additionally, offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen has been replaced after stepping down into an advisory role.

With so many new faces in important roles, there is plenty of work to do this offseason. The preparation for the upcoming season begins in earnest next week when Rutgers opens spring practice on Monday.

Here are the five biggest questions facing the team heading into spring practice:

1. Will anyone emerge in the quarterback competition?

Chris Laviano and Hayden Rettig will headline the battle to replace four-year starter Gary Nova. Giovanni Rescigno made strides during his redshirt season, but unless he's improved significantly in the past three months, he's not yet a serious contender for the starting job.

Expect Laviano to open the spring with a slight edge based on his experience last season. The redshirt sophomore backed up Nova and appeared in five games, completing 11-of-28 passes for 107 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

Meanwhile, Rettig was limited to scout-team duty as he sat out last season after transferring from LSU. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder's arm strength was evident from the first training camp practice last summer, but he's had limited opportunities to run Rutgers' offense.

Rettig and Laviano will get plenty of reps this spring in first-time coordinator Ben McDaniels' offense. It's highly likely that the battle for the most important position on the team will extend into the summer, but one quarterback could move ahead in the competition this spring.

2. How much will the offense change under new coordinator Ben McDaniels?

It's impossible to know exactly what the offense will look like under first-time coordinator Ben McDaniels, who was promoted from wide receivers coach in February after Friedgen stepped down. McDaniels didn't reveal much about his plans when he was introduced, but it's hard to imagine the new play-caller straying from Flood's preferred pro-style offense.

Rutgers returns its top eight rushers from last season, led by senior Paul James, who will miss the spring as he recovers from a torn ACL, and sophomores Josh Hicks and Robert Martin. The running game will take a hit from the departure of fullback Michael Burton and three starting offensive linemen, but it seems like a safe bet that McDaniels will lean on the rushing attack, particularly with an inexperienced starting quarterback.

The Scarlet Knights lose deep threat Andrew Turzilli and tight end Tyler Kroft, but return four receivers who had at least 19 catches last season. Senior Leonte Carroo (55 catches for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns) leads the group, and McDaniels will need to find ways to combat the extra attention the top receiver will attract.

McDaniels, who is the younger brother of Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, had a major role in planning and the on-field communication during games last season. But the 34-year-old has never called a play before so spring practice will provide the first glimpse of his offensive schemes.

3. Will an unproven offensive line start to jell?

Having an inexperienced quarterback or an inexperienced offensive line is difficult to overcome. Rutgers is faced with both of those challenges.

The offensive line was solid last season against a steady diet of future NFL defensive linemen. Rutgers allowed just 19 sacks in 13 games and the team averaged 4.3 yards per carry despite the revolving door at running back.

The Scarlet Knights must replace left guard Kaleb Johnson, center Betim Bujari and right tackle Taj Alexander, who combined for 113 career starts. Senior Keith Lumpkin (26 straight starts) is entrenched at left tackle and junior Chris Muller (25 straight starts) will man one of the interior spots.

Junior J.J. Denman is in line to take over at right tackle after rotating in for eight games last season. The other two spots are wide open with juniors Derrick Nelson and Ryan Brodie, sophomore Dorian Miller and redshirt freshman Tariq Cole battling for two starting spots.

Flood will likely rotate players more this season after having the same starting lineup every game last year. But he's still looking for players to emerge, especially at center, which will help set the rest of the line.

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Rutgers offensive breakdowns and projected starters

*Rutgers defensive breakdowns and projected starters



4. Can Isaiah Johnson claim the staring middle linebacker job?

The competition for the starting middle linebacker job won't be decided until graduate transfer Kaiwan Lewis arrives from South Carolina this summer. But junior college transfer Isaiah Johnson is in position to stake his claim to fill the biggest hole in the defense.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Johnson, who spent the past two seasons at City College of San Francisco, enrolled at Rutgers in January. He was expected to first battle L.J. Liston at middle linebacker, but the junior was dismissed from the team by Flood earlier this month.

Liston's dismissal gives Johnson an opportunity to earn significant reps during spring practice. Redshirt freshman Brandon Russell could challenge Johnson if the 210-pounder has bulked up.

There's also the possibility that weak side linebacker Steve Longa could move to the middle, but ideally the junior will stay put if Johnson — or Lewis — can claim the middle linebacker job.

5. Are the young players ready to step up on defense?

There are plenty of holes to fill in a defense that allowed the most yards in program history last season. Rutgers loses starters at nose tackle, defensive end, middle linebacker, cornerback and both safety spots.

While Freshman All-America Kemoko Turay should step in at defensive end and there's a good mix of veterans and youngsters at cornerback, most of those spots will be filled by inexperienced players.

There is plenty of buzz around redshirt freshman Kiy Hester, a Wayne native who transferred from Miami last September. The former four-star recruit will be expected to step into the lineup immediately at strong safety.

Redshirt freshman Kevin Wilkins flashed his potential last season in practice and the 290-pounder brings much needed size to the defensive line. He'll see action along with redshirt sophomore Sebastian Joseph at nose tackle.

For the defense to improve, Hester and Wilkins will need to prove ready to step up.

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.