Air Force entered spring practice with three senior quarterbacks leading the battle to take over as the starter.

Spring practice ended with those same three quarterbacks still locked in a battle that, at least publicly, has not been decided.

What was solidified during the 15-practice spring session was the general view of each quarterback’s skill set.

Jensen Jones is the stout, tough runner.

Ben Brittain is viewed as the

best pure passer.

Zac Larrier, who owns multiple Mountain West track championships, is the speedster.

“We’ve been doing a lot of new things and each one brings a new thing to the table,” said tight end Caleb Rillos. “I don’t know who’s going to have the spot right now. The competition is great because it pushes them.”

None of the quarterbacks were made available to media during the spring session.

All three received extended looks during spring, though Jones missed a little action with a sore knee that, upon receiving an MRI, was cleared of structural damage.

If the spot is truly as open as it seems, the Falcons coaches will likely be tasked with building three unique schemes to fit their talents.

In terms of experience, there’s little to draw from because Haaziq Daniels played so many snaps during his three years as a starter.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Jones, a native of Naples, Fla., has appeared in nine career games, rushing 20 times for 122 yards and three touchdowns. He has attempted just one pass, which went incomplete.

Larrier – 6-0, 190-pounds from Youngstown, Ohio – has appeared in nine games, running 25 times for 163 yards and a touchdown.

Brittain has appeared in seven games. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Hewitt, Texas, has rushed seven times for 40 yards and is 2-of-3 passing for 111 yards and a touchdown, which came on an 80-yard completion against Nevada this past season.

“They all have their big things that they incorporate into the game,” safety Trey Taylor said, “so it’s going to be cool to see how they all break that down into who’s going to be playing and starting next year.”

Larrier’s injury history might become a factor to consider, as well as his versatility and value at other positions. Coach Troy Calhoun said he would prefer to settle in on one role for the speedster who has twice won the Mountain West indoor 200-meter dash, owning a career-best of 20.91-second time in the event. He has also run the 100 in 10.67 seconds and the 400 in 47.68 seconds.

“In a perfect world, would you like to say this is the only spot you’re going to play? You would,” Calhoun said. “I just don’t know if that will necessarily be the case. So when exactly do you make that decision? Do you make it on Aug. 15, or do you make it at the very beginning of each week once you get into the season? We have to be open to that possibility.

“I think at either spot he definitely can. I think the key part for any player is just the durability aspect.”

Scheme alterations are on the table

There is talk from Air Force players that perhaps the offensive will be more diverse this season when it comes to the rush/pass disparity as the program moves on from three-year starters in quarterback Haaziq Daniels and fullback Brad Roberts.

There were some new wrinkles apparent in spring practice, such as operating at time from the shotgun.

But any wholesale changes in play calling remain to be seen from the program that has led the nation in rushing three years in a row.

“There are just so many thing you want to observe,” Calhoun said. “That’s with players, but it’s also schematically, too. You want to take advantage of those 15 practices and see what maybe fits for your team for that particular fall, because it’s different every year.

“It’s definitely different this year.”