PISCATAWAY -- At the end of last season, Giovanni Rescigno was looking at major roadblocks in his path to becoming Rutgers' starting quarterback. But things changed rapidly and Rescigno is now involved in a three-way competition for the starting job.

Rescigno, now a redshirt sophomore, was the third-string quarterback last season behind starter Chris Laviano and backup Hayden Rettig, who both have two years of eligibility remaining. Rescigno's skill set wasn't an ideal fit for coach Kyle Flood's pro-style offense, so it was difficult to envision him jumping Laviano and Rettig on the depth chart.

But Flood was fired the day after last season ended and new coach Chris Ash is installing a power spread offense that should utilize Rescigno's running ability.

Laviano, Rettig and Rescigno are in a competition for the job with each quarterback getting equal reps with the first-team offense in spring practice. Rescigno said he "absolutely" believes he has a legitimate shot at being named the starter.

"Obviously with my reps that I get, there are more now so I just want to take advantage of them and I just want to do the best that I can and run the offense the best I can and prove to the coaches that I can be the starter at the end of spring," Rescigno said after Saturday's practice. "That's obviously the main objective."

Rescigno was listed as a co-starter on the depth chart at the beginning of spring practice last year, but Laviano and Rettig quickly moved ahead in the competition. Rescigno opened training camp as the No. 3 quarterback and did not see any game action last season.

"The most reps that I got was probably in the spring game last year," said Rescigno, who completed 2-of-10 passes for 35 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in the intrasquad scrimmage. "Now I'm getting reps again and it's something I have to get used to and be comfortable, but it's really exciting and I have to take advantage of my reps."

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Rescigno has a more legitimate shot to win the job this season because he is the best runner in the competition. Rescigno ran a spread offense at De La Salle (Mich.) High and he carried the ball 10-12 times per game.

"I think that's something that I'm good at," Rescigno said. "I've always prided myself as being a good runner. I don't know why. It's something that I've always liked to do. It's something that's natural to me. I don't even really think about it. I just go out and do it."

The question Rescigno must answer is if he's a good enough passer to win the starting job.

"Gio has some things that we have to work out mechanically, but he's got a lot of speed and things like that," offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer said. "There's some things that he can really help us with. He's got to clean up a few mechanical issues out there and some of just the mental mishaps. I think he'll be all right though."

Rescigno is confident his passing will improve as spring practice progresses. For now, he's just happy to have the opportunity to compete for the starting job.

"I take advantage of my reps. However many I get -- one or 20 -- it doesn't matter," Rescigno said. "I take advantage of my reps and go from there and compete. I think I'm a competitive guy so from the first practice to the last practice I'm just going to compete."

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.