It was not an easy decision for coach Tom O’Brien, but redshirt junior Daniel Evans will take the role as starting quarterback again this season.

The competition came down to Evans and redshirt sophomore Harrison Beck, a transfer from Nebraska. While redshirt freshman Justin Burke was originally in the picture, O’Brien said he “needs a little more maturity on the field” to warrant a closer look.

“There was a good competition. Beck did a good job pushing [Evans]. For the last couple of scrimmages, it was down to those two guys,” O’Brien said. “He was very consistent. I think he understands the offense — he plays with a lot of confidence. I think he gives us the best opportunity to win.”

O’Brien said he sat down with offensive coordinator Dana Bible and spent “a good day and a half” talking with him about who should get the position.

Then the first-year coach sat down with the two quarterbacks on Monday at 10 a.m. and told them Evans had won the job.

One reason Evans said he believes he is the starter for the Central Florida game is because he learned a lot from the games last season.

“Having the experience from last year, through the nine games I started — having been with the team, been with the offensive line, being there in the huddle, being with the receivers and the backs,” Evans said. “Whatever it is — being able to manage the offense.”

He said he feels better with recognizing coverages, and that there’s a lot less guessing in his reads this year. However, experience is something Beck sees as overrated.

“I really don’t believe in the whole experience thing,” Beck said. “How’s another quarterback going to get better if he doesn’t get experience? Dan got his shot to get experience last year. Obviously, it helped him.”

But, according to O’Brien, Beck should not be ruled out just yet. O’Brien mentioned the possibility of playing Beck some in the opener against Central Florida or during the season. But, he didn’t give any situational setting in which Beck might play.

“He just said at some point,” Beck said. “So we will see what happens.”

Throughout the practices going into the season, Evans said he felt as though Beck and Burke were right there with him. Even though it’s his job, he said on Monday that the backups are both “capable quarterbacks in the ACC.”

“I absolutely felt I was being challenged and pushed every day — every meeting, every practice, every play — Harrison and Justin both did a great job,” Evans said.

While Evans said he won’t be looking over his shoulder, O’Brien said the second-year starter knows he has to play well to remain the starter.

“He understands he has to perform — and perform well — to keep his job,” O’Brien said.

In the final seven games last season, Evans threw nine interceptions and only one touchdown while N.C. State went 0-7. But Evans believes he’s learned a lot since then and is ready to take the role as a leader.

“Whether that means they made the right decision or not, we’ll see,” Evans said.