After suffering through its worst season since 1995, Tuskegee is trying to get back on track in 2012.

In six seasons at the helm, coach Willie Slater has produced five seasons of nine or more wins. Last season, the team managed just four.

But the team returns 12 starters from last year's team, including seven on offense, and looks poised for a rebound.

If that is to take place, however, there are still questions to be answered.

On offense, the Golden Tigers must find a quarterback capable of converting yardage into points on the scoreboard.

Justin Nared, who won the starting job as a true freshman when Jeremy Williams sustained an injury in the second game of the season, is back for his sophomore year.

Behind him is a slew of talented backups who could challenge for the spot should he struggle.

Nared was 4-4 as a starter, passed for 409 yards and rushed for another 124 and four touchdowns in eight games.

The team will replace wide receiver Wayne Williams, but seniors Mark Hughes and Philander Browder and sophomores Kaleep Williams and Larry Cobb return. Browder caught 10 passes for 126 yards and a score.

Starting tailback and offensive leader DeMario Pippen, who had 584 yards last season, is gone. A pair of sophomore runners, Michael J. Thornton and Joshua Crowe, will be relied upon to take his place.

Ten offensive linemen have in-game experience.

Tuskegee returns some key pieces to a defense that ranked third in scoring defense a year ago.

NFL draft prospect and senior safety Jamar Hornsby, a 2011 transfer from the University of Florida, will spearhead the attack.

Hornsby recorded 33 tackles and an interception in eight games last year. Adam Lucas, who had three interceptions in 2011, is also back, as is linebacker El' Malik Chinn, who had 41 tackles and an interception.

Redshirt freshman Danny Barnes, a two-sport athlete, could be a help in the Golden Tigers secondary. He will be a new starter at cornerback.

On special teams, Tuskegee blocked four kicks a year ago and led the SIAC in kick return average at 24.3 yards per return. That will remain a focus in 2012.