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The Clemson Tigers spring practice preview for 2017. Here are three storylines to follow leading up to the defending champion’s spring game on April 8.

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Clemson is fresh off of its first college football national championship since 1981, as the Tigers scored on a 2-yard touchdown pass with one second left to beat Alabama, 35-31, in the College Football Playoff national title game to put a bow on a 14-1 season.

The Tigers fell behind by 14 points but rallied back behind an offense that wore out a Crimson Tide defense that had been one of the most ferocious we have seen in recent seasons. While Nick Saban is still running a dynasty in Tuscaloosa, Dabo Swinney and Co. could argue that the Tigers are the new standard-bearer in college football. Swinney, who earned his first national title as a head coach, and the Tigers are expected to be a premier program for as long as the former Alabama assistant is roaming the sidelines.

Can Swinney and his staff lead the program to a third consecutive ACC title and third straight College Football Playoff berth?

With spring football just around the corner, let’s take a look at the biggest questions facing the Tigers as they get set to prepare for their spring game on April 8 at Memorial Stadium as well as the 2017 campaign.

Clemson Tigers Spring Practice Storylines

1. The battle to replace Heisman-worthy numbers

Two-time Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson is moving on to the NFL, where he hopes to be one of the top picks in this year’s draft. So who has the edge to replace the terrific talent in the offense being run by co-OCs Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott?

Zerrick Cooper, Kelly Bryant and Hunter Johnson will all compete for the right to assume the starting role, and there’s a good chance that multiple signal-callers will be used in 2017. Bryant is a rising junior who may be considered the safest pick because of his experience in the system and the fact that he saw the field (albeit sparingly) last season, but rising redshirt freshman Cooper has the most intriguing returning skill set. Five-star Hunter Johnson, however, was hotly recruited. But even as an early enrollee, can he handle the moment? There are options, but they are short on experience.

Whoever serves as quarterback won’t have the luxury of playing with such top weapons as wide receivers Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, as well as running back Wayne Gallman. Nevertheless, there is a lot of talent that will return to that side of the ball, including Hunter Renfrow, Ray-Ray McCloud and Deon Cain in the wide receiving corps.

Overall, this quarterback situation is reminiscent of what the Tigers experienced in 2014, when Cole Stoudt ultimately won the job after Chad Kelly was booted from the team at the end of spring practice. Watson was brought along slowly until he was fully ready to be the starter. Cooper could potentially get the same treatment until Swinney and the offensive staff believe that he is 100 percent ready to carry the load.

2. Filling the defensive leadership void

Under the watch of Swinney and Brent Venables, the Tigers have built an SEC-level defense. In 2017, players such as Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Clelin Ferrell will comprise one of the best defensive lines in football. Those three alone combined for 16 sacks and 34 tackles for loss in 2016, although there is a new defensive line coach in Todd Bates, who was hired after assistants Dan Brooks retired and Marion Hobby left for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The one possible concern is replacing the leadership that veterans such as linebacker Ben Boulware provided. Along with Cordrea Tankersley, Carlos Watkins and Jadar Johnson, Boulware was an all-ACC senior who was part of a defense that was one of the best in the country in yards per play allowed. The good news, though, is that this has become an almost annual offseason occurrence for Venables. There is serious depth on that side of the ball, and the defensive line will remain an anchor.

3. Staying grounded

With leading rusher Gallman departing early, Swinney will be trying to determine if he has a lead back on the roster. Tavien Feaster, C.J. Fuller and Adam Choice are the top options. Feaster, who also runs track, was a four-star recruit from the 2015 class who didn’t see a ton of action in 2016 but averaged 6.0 yards per carry when he did get the football. His style of play is similar to former Tiger C.J. Spiller, which has to excite the fan base. The Tigers most certainly will take a step back at the quarterback position—it’s impossible not to when replacing a two-time Heisman finalist—so having a big-play threat at running back is vital.

MORE: Post-National Signing Day Top 25 College Football Rankings