LSU football coach Les Miles said he was pleased with the quarterbacks’ performance on the first day of spring practice Thursday, and the defense is adjusting well to a new scheme and coaching staff.”I enjoyed today’s practice,” Miles said. “A lot new went in, some new                      defensive terminology. The quarterbacks are not quite understanding how we call a formation, yet it was very productive. I liked it a lot.”Miles said he is still in no hurry to declare a starting quarterback, but he said rising sophomores Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee are more familiar with the quarterback position than newcomers Russell Shepard and Chris Garrett.”The veterans obviously know more of what’s going on, are more comfortable with reads and crisper than the younger guys,” Miles said. “[Jefferson and Lee] made a lot of good throws today. Chris Garrett looked good today for his first day.”Jefferson said he feels “more advanced” this year and said he has gained some weight to get to about 218 pounds.”I’m more of a pocket passer, but I don’t mind running the ball either,” Jefferson said. “I’m kind of mobile, so it really doesn’t matter.”Rising senior offensive tackle Ciron Black said Jefferson is developing a more mature mindset at quarterback.”[Jefferson] is starting to let the childish things go,” Black said. “He’s trying to help out the new freshmen.”On the defensive side, rising junior safety Chad Jones said the defensive scheme implemented by newly acquired defensive coordinator John Chavis, secondary coach Ron Cooper and defensive line coach Brick Haley includes raising the tempo of the defense.”We’re jumping routes much quicker and are a more aggressive defense,” Jones said. “Coach is really grinding us to get to the ball. We’re going to get to the ball much better this year. I like fast-paced defenses, running around and flying to the ball.”Jones said the team is having a good time getting to know the new defensive staff.”There is definitely a different intensity level,” Jones said. “Players don’t really know how the coaches think yet. It’s a great feeling out there, and we’re all having fun, but it’s time to play ball.”Jones reported to spring practice after spending time as an outfielder on the LSU baseball team. Senior wide receiver Jared Mitchell is also an outfielder, but he did not report to practice.Miles said Mitchell will continue to focus on baseball.”I told Jared he needs to not swing quickly on those slow curves … And the fly ball that gets in the lights, that’s a difficult play for him,” Miles said. “I don’t think he’ll be here in the spring at all. He’s going to play baseball.”Two other players Miles said are inactive are rising sophomore defensive tackle Kentravis Aubrey and rising sophomore safety Stefoin Francois.”Kentravis Aubrey has a bad back, and it doesn’t appear to me he will be able to return,” Miles said. “Stefoin Francois had really significant knee surgery, and I don’t think he’ll be back in the spring.”——Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]