As Team 120 concluded its season in Nashville on Dec. 30 with a 38-24 Music City Bowl victory over Nebraska, the page turned to the beginning of Team 121.

Although wins over Florida, Georgia, Virginia Tech and Nebraska were good moments for Tennessee during the 2016 season, losses to South Carolina and Vanderbilt have placed Butch Jones in a critical year.

Shakeup has already taken place on Jones’ staff, as offensive coordinator Mike DeBord left for the same position at Indiana and Rock Gullickson has taken over the school’s strength and conditioning program. More staff changes are expected while roster decisions that need to be looked at thoroughly are already at the forefront with National Signing Day weeks away and spring practices in the near future.

Quarterbacks

Joshua Dobbs leaves Tennessee following graduation, leaving behind a quarterback battle this spring that will showcase three signal-callers.

Jarrett Guarantano came to Tennessee with no ties to the university. He came for one reason and that is to play and win championships for the Volunteers. The New Jersey native sat behind Dobbs in 2016 and now looks to gain the starting role as a red-shirt freshman. Guarantano threw for 3,028 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 523 yards and 12 touchdowns in high school. During his senior season, Guarantano threw for 1,481 passing yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed 83 times for 206 yards and scored six touchdowns.

Quinten Dormady is also in line for the starting job. Dormady is a junior who has played sparingly in his first two seasons. He played in six games as a freshman, completing 13 of 22 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown. With Tennessee’s inability to close out games in 2016, Dormady’s mop-up duty was limited — he went 11-of-14 for 148 yards in four games.

Sheriron Jones is the third quarterback in the race. After a redshirt 2015 season, Jones opted to transfer to Colorado but returned to Tennessee days later. The California native was a spirited individual on the sidelines for the Vols in 2016, providing energy for his teammates. Jones saw action in the Tennessee Tech game, completing one pass for two yards.

Butch Jones has the quarterbacks in mind as he looks for his next offensive coordinator.

“Whether it’s an internal candidate or an external candidate, the No. 1 priority we have to do is get in here a great developer of quarterbacks,” he said during a recent teleconference. “Having some very talented quarterbacks in our program, the quarterback development is going to obviously be very, very important.”

Running backs

There’s no more Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara. John Kelly now has the spotlight. Kelly made a name for himself at mid-season when Hurd was suspended for the Texas A&M game and then later departed the team. Kelly continued to get reps as Kamara battled injuries, finishing with 630 yards and five touchdowns in his sophomore season.

The Vols will need to look for depth. Behind Kelly is Carlin Fils-aime, who rushed for 58 yards and scored two touchdowns in seven games. Fils-aime received meaningful reps as a true freshman and appears to be the No. 2 back going into spring practices.

The Vols will need more depth in the backfield, and incoming freshman Ty Chandler could provide it.

Wide receivers

Who becomes the top target after Josh Malone opted to leave early for the NFL? There are plenty of receivers to choose from.

Jauan Jennings proved he can make plays with his athleticism and hands in 2016. Jennings increased his reception total from 14 in 2015 to 40 in 2016. He did the same in receiving yards, going from 149 to 580, and in touchdowns, from zero to seven.

Jennings has the best shot at being the No. 1 target, but sophomores Marquez Callaway, Tyler Byrd and Brandon Johnson will need to make improvements from their freshman years like Jennings did in 2016. Senior Josh Smith will also be in the mix after he spends the spring recovering from sports hernia surgery.

Linebackers

It’s a position that has not reached its full potential during the Butch Jones era. Injuries have a lot to do with the instability at the position of late.

There’s zero doubt that Darrin Kirkland Jr. will be the top playmaker in the linebacker unit. Kirkland only played in seven games in 2016 because of a high ankle sprain suffered against Virginia Tech. Kirkland totaled 45 tackles, down from the 66 he recorded as a healthy freshman in 2015.

Colton Jumper returns for his senior season after showing signs of success as a junior. Bob Shoop will need production from seniors Cortez McDowell and Elliott Berry for this unit to be more productive. Sophomores Quart’e Sapp and Daniel Bituli will need to continue to develop.

Early enrollee freshman Shanon Reid could provide an impact as he will gain experience going through spring practices, summer workouts and fall camp before the season kicks off. Another freshman coming in is four-star Will Ignont.

Defensive backs

Tennessee finished 71st nationally in passing defense, giving up 230.2 yards per game. There are players in place who can help the Vols improve.

On the outside, the cornerback position is cemented with senior veteran Emmanuel Moseley and sophomore Baylen Buchanan, who gained valuable experience as a freshman. Senior Justin Martin and sophomore Marquill Osborne will provide depth at cornerback. Rashaan Gaulden returns as a red-shirt junior at nickel back.

The safety position has a chance to be the best spot on the defense. Experience and talent return with Todd Kelly Jr. and Micah Abernathy. Evan Berry, Stephen Griffin and Nigel Warrior (who was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team) bring competitive depth.