Take Mason Olszewski's word for it. Behind his usual calm demeanor, the rising redshirt sophomore quarterback is excited for his possibilities with the University of Charleston football team.
This spring, he takes the practice field as the most seasoned quarterback on the roster. UC coach Pat Kirkland said that's important, now that last season's starter, Jeremy Johnson, has graduated and the Golden Eagles are looking for a new No. 1 under center.
"It's a long spring," Kirkland said, "but Mason has a clear advantage because of the experience, coupled with the fact that he is a good player."
Armed with a complete grasp of the playbook, Olszewski is trying to lock down Charleston's starting quarterback spot as the Golden Eagles attempt to duplicate their program-first Division II playoff appearance in 2015.
At last season's beginning, Johnson and Olszewski were sharing snaps. In the first two games against Notre Dame College and Shepherd, Olszewski threw 30 passes to Johnson's 27. After that, Johnson pulled ahead in the quarterback race to stay and was named an All-Mountain East Conference second-team quarterback in the process. Olszewski finished the season with 33 completions on 61 attempts for 475 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.
Olszewski admits he was a little disappointed when his role diminished, but said the time he spent working with Johnson in the meeting room was invaluable.
"Learning from Jeremy the leadership aspect of everything, he was a great leader," Olszewski said. "He taught me a lot about footwork and everything else."
Johnson was crucial in Olszewski's growing comfort with Charleston's playbook. It was around the second week of the season that Olszewski felt everything finally clicked. After that, he felt everything fell into place.
"I feel like I fully understand the whole playbook now," he said. "I can make audibles at the line. It feels good to actually have confidence in myself and know what's going on."
That understanding of the offense is essential in Kirkland's eyes. Olszewski showed playmaking ability in his 2015 appearances, but the coach wants to see him become a complete quarterback.
"I think he's got to get better with his decision making, pre-snap," Kirkland said. "He improvised at times and created some plays just with being a good athlete."
Olszewski knows there needs to be more to his game than creating plays on the fly. He wants to become the steady hand under center that Johnson was. They're from the same mold - dual-threat, athletic signal-callers - and Olszewski wants those similarities to extend further.
"This season I just want to have a good game every game," he said. "Consistency will be key this year. I just want to build upon my consistency and my throwing accuracy and I want to try and stay in the pocket a little more instead of running around.
"I was a little antsy last year. This year will be a lot different."
The confidence Olszewski has this spring comes in part from a mid-season start he made against Fairmont State. With playoff eligibility in the balance and Johnson banged up, Olszewski guided the Golden Eagles to a 38-31 win.
"It showed me I can play at that level," he said, "that I can do everything I thought I could."
Kirkland said the starting quarterback job is open this spring - Jermaine Kelly, who played quarterback in wildcat packages last season, and redshirt freshman Brant Grisel are vying for the job, too - but Olszewski's experience gives him a leg up. Olszewski is fine with the challenge.
"Competition brings out the best in everyone and helps everyone improve," he said. "I'm very open to competition. I love competition."