Winter conditioning is done. New coaching hires are acclimated. The graduating class of 2015 has moved on. Spring football is finally here, and with it the Utes take their first steps toward the 2016 season. As the Utes open up camp on Tuesday, we take a look at the five most pressing questions facing Utah football this spring.

1 - Are Utah’s passing game woes finally over?

Since the Utes entered the Pac-12, it’s the passing game - or rather the lack of a consistently strong passing game - that has put a ceiling on what the team could accomplish. When the passing offense is firing on all cylinders, as it was against Oregon last fall, the Utes were as deadly a team as any in the nation. However, those games were often few and far between.

With Travis Wilson now trying his hand at the NFL, Utah now enters a new era at quarterback. Junior Brandon Cox and JUCO Transfer Troy Williams enter the spring as co-starters at quarterback. True freshman Tyler Huntley skipped his senior prom to enroll early and try to earn the spot himself. If Utah is fortunate, one of these three will leave the spring game as the clear number one - and will show that he’s able to scorch defenses enough to open up running lanes.

The Utes also enter a new era at receiver, with new coach Guy Holliday leading a young group of playmakers. Make no mistake, there is plenty of speed and athleticism at receiver. However, Holliday will be tasked at turning many of these athletes into effective receivers. Kyle Fulks, Cory Butler-Byrd, Tyron Smith, Raelon Singleton, and Tim Patrick will all be given opportunities to step up and claim their spots. Kenric Young has been on the milk carton the past two seasons, but has the talent to make a statement with a big spring. Whether any of these players can seize upon the opportunity in front of them remains to be seen.

2 - Are any linebackers capable of stepping up?

If there’s one position group on the 2016 Utes that gives fans heartburn, it’s the linebackers. Gone are Gionni Paul and Jared Norris, two of the best players to ever wear the drum and feather. Replacing them are a number of players with precious little game experience. Sunia Tauteoli will attract the most attention. He was outstanding at the JUCO level, and coaches are optimistic that he’s turned the corner in knowing the defense enough to play with pure instinct. Utah will need him to step up, and the pressure will be on for the junior.

Chris Hart is going to be looked at as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker, but could be pressed into permanent service in the linebacking corps, depending on how he performs. Cody Barton has the chance to make a real statement. He has a lot of raw ability, but will need to overcome his youth and inexperience. Jake Jackson is older than most of the group, having been back from his mission for more than a year. He’ll be expected to show something as well. Don’t be surprised if we see a steady diet of walkons given the opportunity to earn reps. Evan Eggiman will be given a look at linebacker, and has more game experience than the rest of the position group behind. Sharrieff Shah and Christian Drews have both been a steady special teams player for the past two seasons.

The bottom line is that Utah needs someone, anyone, to step up and take control of the position.

3 - Can anyone claim the strong safety job?

Much like the question at linebacker, strong safety is another position where Utah coaches would like to see someone step up and claim the job this spring. Part of the reason behind that reasoning is that it will go a long way to determining how Utah coaches use Chase Hansen when he returns from his broken leg this fall. Hansen played one game at strong safety last season (against Washington) and was magnificent before an untimely injury ended his season. He’s got the frame to bulk up and play linebacker, but Utah likely won’t ask him to do that if there are too many question marks at safety. Hansen has the tools to be an all conference caliber player at either position, but it would be a tremendous help if he could be locked into a spot well before fall camp. Yes, he’s still going to get a look at QB - at least if you believe the depth chart listing - but Hansen’s best future is on defense. He looks like a future NFL player on that side of the ball.

In terms of which players have the best opportunity, Jason Thompson has the best opportunity to make a statement. The senior is healthy and ready to contribute. Andre Godfrey, Casey Hughes, Philip Afia and Tyson Cisrow will all make a push as well, although Godfrey and Hughes are the two most likely to make an impact. If one of these players can step up, Utah will have a lot more flexibility in determining how they get their best 11 on the field this fall.

4 - Who is the center of the future?

Graduated center Siaosi Aiono was one of the unsung heroes of last year’s squad. It’s not easy to replace a three year starter at the center position, but Utah does have a few candidates that are capable of stepping up. Hiva Lutui is the most obvious answer. He’s been Aiono’s backup for the past two seasons, and has played relatively well whenever Aiono would periodically go down due to injury.

However, it shouldn’t just be assumed that Lutui is the heir apparent. With the sudden influx of talent along the offensive line, there’s going to be a battle to get Utah’s best five on the field at the same time. Lo Falemaka enters spring as Lutui’s backup, and Nick Nowakowski has been on the two deep for the past two years. However, it’s also possible that we may see some shakeup along the line to give other candidates a chance to start if Lutui isn’t able to lock down the job.

5 - How good is Mitch Wishnowsky?

Tom Hackett pulled off the near impossible during his time at Utah. Not only did he provide the Utes with the first of what fans hope will be multiple individual awards, but Hackett also made the punter position cool at Utah. His ability to alter the flow of games combined with a quick wit and larger than life personality made Hackett an all time fan favorite and an unforgettable part of Utah football lore.

Now Hackett is gone, and his replacement is another Aussie with a huge leg. A lot of insiders claim that Wishnowski could be even better than the two time Ray Guy award winner, which sets the expectations sky high. The fact that Wishnowsky has the build of a linebacker won’t damper those expectations. If he is as good as some claim, Utah’s always excellent special teams game will be in very good hands.