Freshman Russell Shepard will play at quarterback in spring practice, coach Les Miles said Thursday night.”Keeping him at quarterback this spring is certain,” Miles said. “There may be some other opportunities for him to move around a little bit and look at him in some other spots, but he’s got to develop. He’s got a great enthusiasm for learning.”Miles said he’s in no hurry to declare a front-runner for the starting quarterback job, and he said is anxious to see how the competition will play out.”I want to see all the skills,” Miles said. “If somebody emerges that is very obvious, we’ll make that announcement.”Sophomore Jordan Jefferson started at quarterback in the Chick-fil-A Bowl for LSU. He guided the Tigers to a 38-3 win against Georgia Tech. He also started Nov. 28 at Arkansas.”You can win with a new guy [at quarterback] just doing the things he’s supposed to do, and you can win with a guy that’s a veteran that really brings the team to him more,” Miles said. “The key is developing the philosophy you need to win that Saturday.”Miles said junior Terrance Toliver is a key to LSU’s success at wide receiver. He also said junior Chris Mitchell and freshman Tim Molton will also have the chance for increased playing time.”Chris Mitchell will have an opportunity to get some balls thrown to him,” Miles said. “If you look at Brandon LaFell, Terrance Toliver, Tim Molton and Chris Mitchell — someone has to step in there as the fourth [receiver] — those are quality receivers. [Molton’s] first opportunity making plays in a live business have been good.”At fullback, Miles said Quinn Johnson was a force in LSU’s two-running back system, and the team has a few options for a new fullback, including freshman tight end Tyler Edwards or “a mobile offensive lineman.”Miles also addressed the team’s defensive changes under its new defensive staff.LSU hired John Chavis as its new defensive coordinator and Ron Cooper as defensive backs coach in January.”We will simplify some of the things we did, get some of our better players on the field more often and make them more productive,” he said.Junior safety Chad Jones is currently playing outfield on the LSU baseball team, and Miles said Jones’ positive experience as a baseball player also benefits the football team.”Chad is more committed to holding his end of the deal,” Miles said. “Certainly I think he’s doing better work in the classroom. He’ll be coming to football pretty quickly.”Miles said sixth-year senior defensive tackle Charles Alexander is “ahead of schedule” recovering from injuries that hindered his playing time last season, and senior linebacker Jacob Cutrera, who filled in occasionally for Darry Beckwith at middle linebacker last season, has also improved in his health after being plagued by a hamstring injury.Miles said he is excited about the entire level of play the team will bring to its 15 spring practices beginning March 12.”Competition will be keen this spring,” Miles said. “That will be a reason this team will develop greater. We have built great momentum beyond the bowl game, and this year’s recruiting class is reflective of that. Our team right now is working as hard as any team we’ve had here, which is the key piece.”——Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]