FORT COLLINS — The many non-football tasks associated with Mike Bobo’s role at Colorado State can leave him searching for more. “Sometimes,” he said, “head coach can be a little bit boring.” So how’s this for a jolt of life?

The Rams began spring practice Thursday with Bobo serving as de facto quarterbacks coach after Ronnie Letson shifted from the position to coach receivers while CSU identifies a replacement for NFL-bound Alvis Whitted. Bobo is embracing his newfound one-on-one instruction. “I feel like I’ve got a little more juice,” he said. But Bobo’s latest assignment won’t be easy.

A byproduct of last year’s 3-9 finish is an open quarterback competition entering 2019. The frontrunners: redshirt juniors Collin Hill and Patrick O’Brien.

“The depth chart is organization, it’s not how we’re going to give reps in practice, and that could change on a day-to-day basis,” Bobo said. “I told that to the quarterbacks.”

Hill presumably carries the edge as a returning team captain who started four games last season. Hill caught lightning in the bottle in 2016 as a CSU true freshman with 1,096 yards passing and eight touchdowns over five games. But consecutive ACL tears prefaced an underwhelming return under center two years later. Hill threw as many touchdowns as interceptions (seven).

Lack of consistent pass protection didn’t help, either, with the Rams allowing 2.5 sacks per game — tied for the No. 87 worst rate in the nation.

“You can’t sit there and feel sorry for yourself,” Hill said. “You’ve got to learn from your mistakes and move on. I think there were a lot of things I learned and things we learned as a team. The big thing is to not dwell on that and let it beat us again next year. … I feel a lot more comfortable.”

Offensive coordinator Dave Johnson said he has “tremendous confidence” in Hill. It doesn’t mean he’s a lock to win the job.

O’Brien transferred from Nebraska and spent last season as the Rams’ scout team quarterback. His production in Lincoln proved brief in 2017 with 18 completions for 192 yards over four games as a backup. Although CSU coaches have since lauded his gunslinger mentality and team-first attitude, O’Brien’s disadvantage is limited time with the playbook.

Bobo’s advice: “You’re not at a level right now with Collin mentally but that’s OK. You can’t get frustrated. You’re going to make small improvements every day and you have to look at the big picture.”

“You have to be patient with it and success is only going to come with practice,” O’Brien said. “This is the first time I’ve really got those reps. And, it’s going to take studying on my own and learning that way as well. I feel like I can accelerate the process of it if I work hard.”

Both quarterbacks stand 6-foot-5 and 200-plus pounds with similar playing styles. Bobo said each touts mobility with O’Brien more inclined to tuck it and run. The competition for who leads the Rams into 2019 won’t be decided any time soon. A post-spring depth chart will set the foundation for a critical offseason of leadership. Bobo looks forward to seeing who lands on top.

“Everybody in this room wants to come out No. 1,” Bobo said. “That’s how it should be.”

Extra points

• Early spring — CSU began spring practice with the calendar still in winter as part of an internal schedule change. The Rams are allotted 14 practices before the March 14 spring game. “If somebody does get injured, knock on wood, they’ve got a longer time for a chance to get back, rehab and get ready for the season,” Bobo said. “It also helps our strength cycle going into the summer.”

• Tackling focus — The main crux of CSU’s defensive woes a year ago often pointed back to a simple lack of fundamental tackling. It’s why defensive coordinator John Jancek has simplified the spring focus on the finer details of making a stop: proper angles toward the football, body position, eye discipline and everything in between. “The strong will survive,” Jancek said. “I’m (ticked). You can’t be a poor tackling defense and expect to be good on defense.”

• Leadership committee — The Rams have introduced a new player accountability system this spring by implementing a 10-member leadership committee: tight end Cameron Butler, safety Jack Grauberger, quarterbacks Hill and O’Brien, linebacker Dequan Jackson, wide receiver Warren Jackson, defensive lineman Emmanuel Jones, fullback Adam Prentice, defensive lineman Toby McBride and offensive lineman Barry Wesley. Each is responsible for a group of players whose football and academic habits are graded by the staff each day. Teams with the highest marks are rewarded. “I’m excited about it because these guys are taking ownership of some things,” Bobo said.

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