At San Diego School for Creative Performing Arts, Jason Swanson played piano, saxophone, violin, flute and clarinet.

At Kansas University, Swanson only will have to play one thing well — quarterback.

“I played the violin for five years,” Swanson said after a recent spring football practice. “I got an offer to go to Michigan State to play it, but that’s not what I want to do. I’m an athlete.”

Swanson’s high school didn’t offer sports, so he played football for San Diego’s Lincoln High. He put his instruments away after high school and went to City College of San Francisco, where he led the Rams to a 9-2 mark with 2,465 passing yards and 18 touchdowns as a freshman in 2002. He passed for 1,187 yards and nine TDs last fall before he was sidelined in the seventh game with a hyperextended elbow on his non-throwing arm.

The semester transfer has recovered from that injury and is expected to battle sophomore-to-be Adam Barmann for the top spot on the depth chart during spring drills.

Barmann and Swanson both possess strong arms and the ability to scramble. Barmann (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) has two advantages over Swanson (6-0, 190) — experience in KU’s system and size.

Swanson said he hadn’t been overwhelmed trying to learn KU’s playbook because the offense was similar to the one he ran for two years at CCSF.

“I’d like to learn the whole playbook and know it like the back of my hand like I did at the junior college I came from,” Swanson said. “I’d like to get a good opportunity to start this fall. … If I were trying to learn everything I’m learning now in the fall and try to jam pack it into my head, I don’t think I’d have a chance to compete for the starting spot. Being here in the spring gives me that little extra boost. It worked out real good.”

Barmann started three games as a true freshman last season in place of injured senior Bill Whittemore and passed for 564 yards and four TDs. Barmann’s solid performance didn’t scare off Swanson during recruiting.

Jason Swanson throws a pass during spring practice. The Kansas University quarterback went through drills during a spring practice last week at KU.

“I love competition,” he said. “Competition always make everybody better. It’ll make me better, and I’m sure it’ll make Adam better. It’s real good for the team. I’m looking forward to it. … There’s no animosity. It’s a friendly competition.”

The quarterback said his height wouldn’t hold him back in his battle with Barmann.

“I’m a pocket passer, but if I need to get out of the pocket and run, I’ll run,” he said. “If I need to scoot over a little bit to see somebody, it’s no big deal. I’ve dealt with it my whole life. It’s no big adjustment. It’s natural to me.”

The biggest adjustment for the Californian was the Kansas winter.

“The first week I was here, that’s when I had my toughest time,” said Swanson, who also had scholarship offers from Oregon State, Utah and West Virginia. “I had to wear four layers. … Things are going great around here. I’m loving the weather, the people. Everybody’s real friendly. As far as the system, I’m getting used to everything.”

Swanson headed home to California this week for spring break but will be back on campus when spring drills resume with a closed practice May 29.

KU’s next open practice is scheduled for April 5. The spring game is April 18 at Memorial Stadium.