Stanford football: 5 questions

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As David Shaw sees it, Stanford has had “a target on our chest and on our back every single year” since the end of the 2010 season, Jim Harbaugh’s last year on the Farm. That’s what success will do to you.

Last year, though, was the first time the players acted as if they knew they were a marked team, the head coach said.

“We didn’t play our best,” Shaw said. “It’s not a horrible year to win eight games and have a dominating performance in a bowl game. But we’re capable of much more.”

Rebuilding a defense that lost eight starters is job one when training camp opens Monday.

Here’s a look a five key questions to be answered:

1. Who will start in the secondary after the departures of safeties Jordan Richards and Kyle Olugbode, nickelback Zach Hoffpauir and cornerbacks Alex Carter and Wayne Lyons?

Ex-quarterback Dallas Lloyd and ex-wideout Kodi Whitfield are practically shoo-ins at safety. They shifted to defense just last year, and nobody knows whether they’ll be able to bring down Royce Freeman or Paul Perkins in the open field, as the dependable Richards could.

Aside from fifth-year senior Ronnie Harris, there’s precious little experience among the cornerbacks. Sophomore Terrence Alexander has the only career interception of the group, a 46-yard return against Cal.

Stanford head coach David Shaw, as the Stanford Cardinal takes on the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif., on Saturday Sept. 6, 2014. Stanford head coach David Shaw, as the Stanford Cardinal takes on the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif., on Saturday Sept. 6, 2014. Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Stanford football: 5 questions 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Two others to keep an eye on are redshirt freshmen Alameen Murphy and Alijah Holder. The latter was dubbed “Bambi” by his teammate because he was so skinny when he arrived on the Farm. It’s possible that four-star recruits Ben Edwards and Frank Buncom IV could make an immediate push for playing time. This is the least experienced group of cornerbacks in the Harbaugh/Shaw era.

2. Who’s the other inside linebacker alongside Blake Martinez?

Noor Davis will be out until at least midseason with an injury, so redshirt sophomore Kevin Palma and redshirt freshman Jordan Perez are the frontrunners.

3. Who’s the No. 2 quarterback?

Redshirt freshman Keller Chryst, from right across the street at Palo Alto High, is dueling with redshirt sophomore Ryan Burns. Evan Crower, last year’s backup, has transferred. Burns played in two games last year, throwing just one pass, although he had a 20-yard run on his first career snap.

Shaw intends to give both players cameo appearances in some games, possibly even in the first or second quarter, just as he did with Hogan in 2012 before he became the starter midway through the season. Neither Chryst nor Burns played well in the spring game.

4. With Kyle Murphy moving to the left-tackle spot in place of Andrus Peat, who’s the starting right tackle?

Nick Davidson, who moonlighted on the basketball team last winter, is expected to miss most of camp with an injury. Casey Tucker, Brendon Austin and David Bright are among the candidates.

5. Who will kick and punt in place of the departed Jordan Williamson and Ben Rhyne?

Conrad Ukropina, who backed up Williamson, missed all three field-goal tries in the spring game, and Alex Robinson averaged just 37 yards per punt. Two newcomers will compete for spots: walk-on Charlie Beall as the kicker and Jake Bailey as the punter, although each can handle both jobs.

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

Stanford training camp

Where: Dan Elliott practice field (behind Maples Pavilion)

First practice: 2 p.m. Monday (closed to the public)

Open house : 10 a.m.,

Aug. 22

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