Auburn players reported for fall camp today and will open practice Monday.

There is a sense of urgency that the Tigers have the talent necessary to compete for an SEC Championship.

After an 8-5 season with losses in three of the last four games to end last season, that might seem like a stretch but a new quarterback and offensive coordinator bring some fresh faces to that side of the ball.

After a resurgence last season, the defense has some holes to fill and there's a big void on special teams to be determined.

Here are five big questions surrounding the Tigers entering the 2017 season:

1. When will Jarrett Stidham be named starting quarterback?

Outside of Gus Malzahn's public comments insisting it's a legitimate competition, there's little to believe the quarterback "battle" will last very long. Jarrett Stidham was recruited to be the starting quarterback and that's what he'll be. The optimism inside the program is because of what he offers at the position and could mean for the offense. Perhaps Sean White surprises yet again and puts up a fight to push Stidham, but the winner is inevitable.

2. Who will be the top pass rushers?

Auburn has to replace its two best defensive linemen in Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams and returns two starters in Dontavius Russell and Marlon Davidson and Andrew Williams and Derrick Brown are experienced and productive players who were part of the rotation last year. The biggest unknown is the amount of production to expect from the Buck position and who will be starting between Jeff Holland and Paul James III and how fast Markaviest Bryant and T.D. Moultry can grasp things to see the field.

Fall camp position preview: QB | RB | HB/TE | WR | OL | DL | LB | DB | ST

3. Who will be the starting punter?

Malzahn referred to punter as the team's "biggest question mark" and it's an open competition. The coaching staff wants Ian Shannon to rise to the occasion and win the job. Daniel Carlson has done it before and will again if need be but that's a contingency. The Tigers don't want to tax the leg of the best kicker in the country.

4. How does the left side of the offensive line shake out?

Darius James has to hold off Prince Tega Wanogho Jr. and the left guard battle has at least Mike Horton and Marquel Harrell involved, with Austin Golson as a possibility.

5. Will a lead receiver emerge before the season?

Auburn does not have a decorated list of receivers historically and the best under Malzahn have been mid-round picks. Production was low last season but the top returning wide outs are all talented, just unproven. It's up to Darius Slayton, Eli Stove, Kyle Davis or Nate Craig-Myers to do enough before the season to be considered the go-to guy.