An offense that finished second in the nation in total offense will have seven starters back this spring, aside from a handful of players (Lache Seastrunk, Jerod Monk and Kelvin Palmer, for example) that might as well be considered starters.

But head coach Art Briles will have a different starting quarterback for the third straight season. All signs point to Bryce Petty, a fourth-year junior with only 14 career attempts, but Briles has said it will be an open competition. Aside from quarterback, two-fifths of then offensive line will have new starters, and both outside receiver jobs are up for grabs.

Below, we break down every position on offense heading into the start of Baylor's spring practices.

QUARTERBACK
This is Bryce Petty's job to lose. He's spent three years as a reserve learning Art Briles's system, giving him the kind of practice experience that helped Nick Florence blossom in 2012. But Petty doesn't have the game experience that Florence gained as the replacement starter when RGIII was injured during most of his sophomore year. Petty has the tools but hasn't had the chance to prove he can be effective as a starter. The next two players on the depth chart -- redshirt freshman Seth Russell and true freshman Chris Johnson, an early enrollee -- are, frankly, long shots to win the job. One of them will have to light up the spring to have a shot.
Starter grade: B-
Depth grade: C+

RUNNING BACK
Never before at Baylor has Art Briles had such a proven backfield. Jay Finley and Terrance Ganaway both had big senior seasons, but both were still relatively unproven before that. Not so for senior Glasco Martin (STATS) and junior Lache Seastrunk (STATS). The two team up for arguably the best tandem in the conference, giving Baylor a blend of size and speed. Because of that, redshirt freshman Devin Chafin (like the backup QBs) will need an exceptional spring to have a chance at stealing some playing time.
Starter grade: A+
Depth grade: A+

OUTSIDE RECEIVER
Both jobs are open since the previous two guys spent the last weekend in February participating at the NFL combine. The likely replacements bring a blend of experience (Antwan Goodley) and potential (Jay Lee). There's a big drop off after that, however. Baylor only lists one other player at outside receiver on the roster, RS freshman Lynx Hawthorne (an early enrollee in spring 2012), so even though recent signees Quan Jones and Robbie Rhodes won't be in Waco for the spring, Baylor will probably need one of them to take on a backup roll this fall. Rhodes is the safe bet. Don't be surprised to see an inside receiver get time on the outside -- or perhaps even JUCO tight end Gus Penning, who has two seniors ahead of him on the depth chart.
Starter grade: B
Depth grade: C+

INSIDE RECEIVER
Tevin Reese had a second-straight 50-catch season in 2012 and headlines all returnees at receiver. His next step forward we'll be decreasing his number of drops, but even so, he's more than capable of an all-Big 12 season. Behind him is junior Levi Norwood, also a 2012 starter who had a breakout season with 40 catches after just six in 2011. Fans will also finally get to see what Corey Coleman can bring to the table. He was arguably Baylor's top signee in 2012, but Baylor had the depth last year to redshirt the dynamic player. Walk-on Clay Fuller (a former minor-league baseball player) and spring enrollee Kianté Griffin, originally a 2012 signee who's just now making it to campus, will battle for the other backup IR position.
Starter grade: A+
Depth grade: A

TIGHT END
This position is stacked since Jerod Monk was awarded a medical redshirt after missing more than three-fourths of last season. He and Jordan Najvar are essentially starters 1A and 1B. That means another year of waiting for meaningful time for junior Matt Ritchey. Spring JUCO transfer Gus Penning, meanwhile, could be a redshirt candidate with so much experience in front of him. That would give him the chance to start two full seasons beginning in 2014.
Starter grade: A+
Depth grade: A+

LEFT TACKLE
Baylor has three years left with Spencer Drango as the starter -- unless he bolts early for the NFL. That will depend on his progress, but he had an excellent debut season as a redshirt freshman in 2012 and will only get better. Senior backup Kelvin Palmer is one of the most experienced non-starters on the team. Between those two players, don't expect too much playing time for any other left tackles.
Starter grade: A
Depth grade: A+

LEFT GUARD
With Drango at tackle and Cyril Richardson returning to start at this position, Baylor's left side of the line is far and away the team's strength. Richardson has the chance to (further) play his way into a first-day draft pick. Two upperclassmen are behind Richardson on the depth chart.
Starter grade: A+
Depth grade: A+

CENTER
The whole center-to-quarterback exchange will be under the microscope this spring. Baylor will break in a new starter at center, as well as under center. Stefan Huber played in every game last year for the first time in his career. The senior is the strongest candidate to take the job, though there's a chance spring won't finalize anything. Baylor doesn't have another player listed as a center on the roster. Tyler Edwards was supposed to fill that void, but the Blinn prospect didn't qualify to make it in for the spring and his status remains up in the air.
Starter grade: C+
Depth grade: D

RIGHT GUARD
The Bears lost two seniors at right guard and will count on two sophomores -- Desmine Hilliard and LaQuan McGowan -- to compete for the role. It also wouldn't surprise us if the coaches reshuffled some other players to this position for depth purposes. This position is only slightly more solid than center.
Starter grade: C+
Depth grade: C+

RIGHT TACKLE
Troy Baker had every bit as good a debut as the guy at the other tackle job. He's around for two more years, giving his backups -- sophomore Pat Colbert and RS freshman Kyle Fuller -- more time to develop. So even though there's some uncertainty in the offensive line's interior, Baylor has its cornerstones on the ends.
Starter grade: A+
Depth grade: A

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