Diving into the major question each team in the Eastern Division faces exiting spring practice …

How will Florida’s offense be able to handle its lack of experience up front?

Career-ending spinal stenosis was an unfortunate diagnosis this spring for redshirt sophomore tackle Roderick Johnson, a projected starter this season. After suffering a stinger on April 3 during a scrimmage, Roderick was evaluated by doctors and it was recommended that he end his football career. Johnson’s tough decision to leave the team left Florida with just six scholarship offensive linemen during the spring game and the lack of bodies showed as the Gators’ defensive front had its way.

Heavy graduation and NFL draft losses have crippled a unit tasked with protecting projected first-year starting quarterback Will Grier. When Florida opens fall practice in August, coach Jim McElwain expects to have at least 12 offensive linemen in the rotation, but only one has a single start to his name — redshirt senior Trip Thurman. Expected to start at center, Thurman missed spring drills with a shoulder injury and it’s no guarantee he’ll be ready for the Gators’ opener. That puts a ton of pressure on five-star tackle Martez Ivey and a handful of other incoming freshmen to shoulder the burden in the SEC, quite a challenge for Jim McElwain, Doug Nussmeier and Florida’s first-year offense.

Who steps up at center between the hedges if Isaiah Wynn can’t handle those duties?

The only spot up front without the luxury of a returning starter this season, Georgia’s center spot was anchored by Wynn on the first team during all three scrimmages, but faulty snaps were a problem throughout the spring. Exiting drills Mark Richt said Wynn had the edge at the position but several others, including guard Brandon Kublanow, will get a look during the fall. Fifth-year senior Hunter Long is the only player with game experience snapping the football, but he appears to be behind Wynn and Kublanow at the moment (but it’s a close race). Richt was encouraged by each player’s willing move to move around up front this spring, one of the reasons the Bulldogs could in fact start Wynn at left guard and slide Kublanow to center. With both tackle positions and right guard locked down, Wynn and Kublanow will battle it out for the interchangeable left guard and center spots. Long, Dyshon Sims, Josh Cardiello and converted defensive tackle Lamont Galliard can provide depth on the interior.

Looking at the bigger picture, what does third-year coach Mark Stoops need to accomplish to stay in the good graces of Kentucky fans?

Stoops is on the right track with an impressive handle from a recruiting perspective, but last year’s second-half demise left the Wildcats searching for answers — at all levels — heading into the offseason on the heels of their fourth straight season without a bowl berth. It doesn’t take much (only six wins) to be postseason eligible, a necessary step this fall for a program mired in on-field mediocrity. Spring practice came and went without much fanfare other than an intriguing quarterback competition between incumbent Patrick Towles and Drew Barker along with solid play across the board at the linebacker spot. First-year OC Shannon Dawson is encouraged by Kentucky’s offensive line play and if the season started today, the Wildcats are one of the SEC’s few teams with three senior starters at the point of attack. Controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball following the departure of two pass rushers who will soon be NFL draft picks is the biggest challenge, one that will determine if Kentucky can stay afloat in the Eastern Division. Should the Wildcats stumble to an eight or nine-loss season, Stoops will have questions to answer.

Will Mizzou’s inexperience at wide receiver remain a liability or can weapons emerge for Maty Mauk in the passing game?

Mauk’s lackluster play this spring wasn’t entirely his fault. Most quarterbacks look average when their offenses replaces nearly every skill player from the previous season. The Tigers’ second-year starter spent the duration of practice cultivating relationships with a bunch of newcomers at the position and during Mizzou’s first two scrimmages, his confidence was shaken following 18 drops. Mizzou pass-catchers were a work in progress throughout drills, rarely coming open or winning 1-on-1s against a veteran secondary. There doesn’t appear to be a Bud Sasser, Marcus Murphy or Jimmie Hunt within this year’s group, but that’s the beauty of the unknown and coach Gary Pinkel is encouraged by the progress several players have made at the position.

Senior Wesley Leftwich, junior Eric Laurent and sophomore J’Mon Moore have received the majority of the first-team reps, but the Tigers remain in search of a new No. 1. Hampered by a knee tweak, Nate Brown’s a potential playmaker in the slot who has shown flashes of ability. Corner turned wideout Raymond Wingo is expected to stay on offense after talking it over with the coaching staff and wide receivers coach Pat Washington could certainly use his 4.28 speed.

What kind of impact will Jon Hoke have on South Carolina’s defense?

South Carolina’s play in the spring game indicates all early signs point to Hoke’s hire as a home run for the Gamecocks, a team that was a couple squandered leads away from recording nine, perhaps 10, wins last season. The talent’s there to exceed preseason expectations specifically at linebacker with Bryson Allen-Williams, Jonathan Walton and Skai Moore, but the defense as a unit is still a work in progress and there’s substantial learning that needs to take place before the season opener on Sept. 3. Hoke has simplified the scheme and the addition of JUCO transfer Marquavius Lewis appears to have given the Gamecocks a much-needed pass rush lift. Other defensive linemen like Devante Covington, Ulric Jones and Dante Sawyer who will arrival later this summer, will follow suit up front. The coaching staff received good news involving Shameik Blackshear as well after the four-star signee was recently cleared of larceny charges. Kansas transfer Isaiah Johnson should fit in nicely as an immediate starter at safety, a position of weakness last fall. Hoke promises an attacking, fun-to-watch unit this season and that’s just what Steve Spurrier, often critical of the other side of the football, needs to hear.

Following an injury-plagued spring practice, how will Tennessee handle preseason expectations once its full deck returns in August?

Coach Butch Jones tried his best to temper the buzz surrounding Knoxville this spring, sticking to his ‘process’ while ensuring quarterback Joshua Dobbs knew what he was getting into as the ‘CEO’ of Tennessee’s offense. The Vols return 18 starters off a team that won a bowl game last season as one of the SEC’s hottest teams over the final five-game stretch and added several pieces during the offseason — highlighted by running back Alvin Kamara — that are expected to make a substantial impact. With several playmakers on defense sidelined this spring, Tennessee’s staff got a chance to look at some of the program’s younger players in key spots. Depth continues to be the primary issue with the Vols who, based on their starting 22, are as talented as any squad in the SEC.

Can Vanderbilt survive another season with rotating quarterbacks?

In short, the answer is no. Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig will have his hands full when the Commodores reconvene this summer after Patton Robinette’s abrupt exit under center opened the door for Johnny McCrary, Shawn Stankavage and Wade Freebeck. In hopes of seizing the starting job, McCrary and Freebeck each showed positive signs this spring and both started games as freshmen last season, but consistency lacked. McCrary, a rising redshirt sophomore, is on his third offensive coordinator in Nashville. It wouldn’t be an ideal situation on offense if four-star signee Kyle Shurmur arrives in August and quickly becomes the frontrunner, but McCrary and Freebeck need to show more if they want to play. Freebeck’s a 6-foot-5 pocket passer who completed 47 percent of his throws with a touchdown and five picks last season. McCrary was more accurate and finished with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions with more playing time.