FORT COLLINS — Sophomore Nick Stevens may have an arm’s length lead in Colorado State’s quarterback battle.

Following Thursday’s practice, the fourth of the spring, first-year CSU coach Mike Bobo mentioned Stevens first when asked about the quarterbacks.

Stevens, from Murrieta, Calif., was the seldom-used top backup to departed senior Garrett Grayson in 2014. Also competing for the starting job are junior Craig Leonard from Fort Collins and Coleman Key, a redshirt freshman from Tulsa, Okla.

Stevens completed 15-of-25 passes with one touchdown last fall. Former coach Jim McElwain raved about his potential.

“Nick has probably taken more reps with the ones (first team),” Bobo said. “Coleman has been mostly with the twos, but some with the ones. The biggest thing with Coleman is he has to get his feet right.”

Bobo said the biggest challenge faced by the quarterbacks is learning the terminology in a new offensive system.

“There are plays and concepts similar to what they had done in the past,” Bobo said. “It’s learning the new terminology, learning the new calls, the new protections. Then it’s a matter of processing it fast.”

Processing the new plays is complicated in Bobo’s system because it’s a no-huddle offense.

“When you go in a huddle, a lot of times you get to think about it when you go to the line,” Bobo said. “With our offense, things happen a lot faster. We’re struggling a little bit. But I’m pleased with what I see.”

Bobo said coaches always want their units to be further along, but he saw some good things in Thursday’s practice.

“I thought there was a little bit better execution on both sides of the ball today,” Bobo said. “For it being the first day in full pads, we have to get a little more physical. But we’re going to keep preaching it, keep living it. We’ll get more physical and see who wants to play football on Saturday.”

Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or twitter.com/tomkensler