Tennessee’s football program looks a whole lot different heading into spring practice than it did a year ago. The coaching staff obviously is new. The roster has seen more than its fair share of graduations and defections via the transfer portal.

We really have no idea what Volunteers football is going to look like this Fall.

Here are 6 questions I have about this UT football team as they prepare to open spring practice Thursday.

1. How will the quarterback competition look?

I don’t expect there to be a starting quarterback named by the end of spring practice. There simply will not have been enough time for head coach Josh Heupel and his assistants to make that determination. Heupel’s style of offense is considerably different than what the Vols had been doing in recent years with former offensive coordinator Jim Chaney.

The favorites are sophomore Harrison Bailey and Virginia Tech grad transfer Hendon Hooker. They have the inside track to that job. Junior Brian Maurer and incoming freshman Kaidon Salter are also in position to take their share of snaps. But all 4 of them will have clean slates under the new regime. And whoever wins the job better be able to throw the long ball.

2. Who will emerge as team leaders?

One of the biggest issues for Tennessee in 2020 was that few players stepped up to replace team leaders like Daniel Bituli, Jauan Jennings and Darrell Taylor. That void was evident was things went south.

Wide receiver Velus Jones, Jr., defensive back Alontae Taylor and defensive end Matthew Butler, each upperclassmen, have the capability of filling those roles. Time will tell if they take on that added responsibility.

3. Will Cade Mays live up to expectations?

When Georgia transfer and East Tennessee native Cade Mays announced that he was heading back home, it was well received news. Mays was a 5-star recruit who started 18 games over 2 years for Georgia and was joining an experienced Tennessee offensive line.

But Mays’ eligibility was in limbo until the 3rd game of the season. Finally cleared, he was good but not as good as advertised.

The Vols lost Trey Smith to the NFL. They lost Wayna Morris (Oklahoma) and Jahmir Johnson (Texas A&M) to the transfer portal. The offensive line still has some talented pieces, but they need Mays to step up.

4. Who will carry the rock?

With Eric Gray now a Sooner and Ty Chandler a Tar Heel, the Tennessee running game loses 1,228 rushing yards from 2020. There are a lot of carries up for grabs.

For all the talk about Central Florida’s passing attack under Heupel, they still were 25th in the nation in rushing yards last season. Don’t expect that part of the offense to be forgotten.

Jabari Small is Tennessee’s top returning rusher, with only 117 yards on the ground last year. Is it his job to lose?

5. How will the linebacking crew recover?

No unit on Tennessee’s roster was wrecked by the transfer portal than that of the linebackers. Quavaris Crouch, Deandre Johnson and Henry To’o To’o will be sorely missed.

New Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks has senior Jeremy Banks (no relation) in the middle, and then a whole bunch of question marks at that position. Tim Banks and his staff needs to develop some playmakers at linebacker in a hurry.

6. Will Tennessee fans be excited following spring practice?

There were no protests by Vols fans during this most recent coaching search. Unfortunately, that passion was replaced in part by apathy. Tennessee hasn’t given its supporters much to be happy about for many years. That obviously has nothing to do with Heupel, but it is partly his responsibility to get those folks on his side for what is likely a long road to relevance.

Keep an eye on VolTwitter and your ears on local sports talk radio callers for the answer to the above question, even if they typically those are the folks that find the most faults.