AIR FORCE ACADEMY — With a straight face, Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun likened his three-pronged quarterback attack to a fine major-league pitching staff.
He will have a starting quarterback, probably a reliever and possibly a closer. Conceivably, Calhoun said multiple QBs could play in the same series.
“I think it’s possible,” the second-year AFA coach said of platooning signal-callers during a drive.
The jobs will go to senior Shea Smith, junior Eric Herbort and freshman Tim Jefferson, but Calhoun isn’t ready to announce a full-time successor to four-year starter Shaun Carney.
“It’s not an absolute prerequisite,” Calhoun said. “This is one of those (situations) where you have to be a little bit patient as a coach, and at the same time there is nothing wrong with seeing how competitive you can make things.”
Only Smith and Herbort are in contention to start Saturday’s season opener at Falcon Stadium against Southern Utah. Jefferson, who attended Air Force’s prep school and is perhaps the most talented of the three, could see significant playing time later in the season.
The 6-foot, 200-pound Jefferson has size and strength advantages over Smith (5-11, 190) and Herbort (5-11, 185). But Smith, who is listed No. 1 on the depth chart, has a big edge in experience and savvy.
He backed up Carney for three years after starting two seasons for renowned Permian High School in Odessa, Texas, the program where the “Friday Night Lights” book, motion picture and television series were based.
“You learn how to deal with pressure through experience, and that was part of my experience,” said Smith, who replaced the injured Carney during last season’s Armed Forces Bowl against California. “In college, there are always a few butterflies walking into Falcon Stadium, but once the game gets going you’re just playing ball with your teammates. I have nothing to be nervous about.”
Smith has proved he is less prone to make mistakes in the hybrid pro-style/option offense Calhoun implemented before last season. But he isn’t exactly a pro-style quarterback, having been recruited by former coach Fisher DeBerry to run the option.
“With Shea Smith, he’s been here for a while, and it helps being a senior at the academy,” Calhoun said. “You figure out the daily routine with academics and things you have to do within your squadron. And he’s got a real good grasp on what we do offensively.”
In comparison, Calhoun said Herbort, also recruited by DeBerry, “runs quite well and you can see he’s got some flashes of being able to do things more dynamic.”
Herbort, who played with the Falcons’ junior varsity the past two seasons, was listed as the starter after spring drills. But he has conceded the job to Smith.
“Right now, Shea is the starter, so I’m pretty sure he’s going to take (the first snap),” Herbort said.
Said Smith: “It’s not for us to worry about as players. We’ll each get our opportunities and just go out there and make plays.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
