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BYU Football: Why Taysom Hill should beat Tanner Mangum for Cougars QB job

By Tanner Sperry

Sep 6, 2014; Austin, TX, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (4) runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. BYU beat Texas 41-7. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Austin, TX, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (4) runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. BYU beat Texas 41-7. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
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Quarterback Taysom Hill is returning to play for BYU in 2016, but will he beat out Tanner Mangum for the starting QB job?

Tanner Mangum filled the quarterback spot very nicely as a true freshman early in the season last year. Hill played for just over half of the game at Nebraska before having to leave due to injury. Mangum played very well in most of the games last year, winning eight as a starter and breaking some BYU freshmen records on the way.

Since BYU has undergone coaching changes, the two quarterbacks will be starting from scratch. Ty Detmer now commands the offense and will do things differently than previous offensive coordinator Robert Anae.

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Each of the quarterbacks is intelligent and should be able to pick things up fast. I think Hill will have a slightly quicker adjustment.

While it’s still early, I think Hill is the favorite to win quarterback battle. Mangum is a good leader and showed great potential as a freshman, but Hill has much more experience and has already earned respect as a team leader.

He’s got a 1,300-yard rushing season on his resume from his last completed season two years ago and was a darkhorse candidate for the Heisman Trophy in 2014. Provided he shows no signs of regression or rust from his missed time, he’ll provide the best chance to win for BYU.

Mangum can still get some playing time in certain game situations and would be one of the best backup quarterbacks in the country and a great insurance policy. He’ll be given the time to grow and blossom while watching one of the more talented dual-threat quarterbacks play.

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Jared Lloyd from the Deseret News reported that Detmer commented on Mangum’s reaction to the return of Hill: “Tanner has a great attitude and is as excited as anyone that Taysom made that decision.”

Anything could happen in BYU’s QB race, but for now, Hill should be the favorite to start under center for the Cougars opening game against the Arizona Wildcats on September 3.

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