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PROVO — Another heralded quarterback has arrived at BYU, brimming with optimism that he can live up to what some would call unrealistic expectations.
This time it is recently returned missionary Tanner Mangum, who was part of the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback roster from the Class of 2011. Mangum joins Ben Olson and Jake Heaps as other Elite 11 BYU quarterbacks considered to be one of the top two or three players nationally at their position.
Olson and Heaps, who both eventually transferred from BYU, never came close to matching the hype in college. Will Mangum be any different?
History shows that Elite 11 quarterbacks don't always become elite in college. And don’t even bother gauging their NFL careers, because a good portion never have one.
“They are coming into the scene with expectations that are absurd,” said former BYU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman, speaking generally about incoming recruits.
Mangum’s Elite 11 class did include Jameis Winston, who starred at Florida State and was the top pick in the recent NFL draft. But none of the others have made a mark in college.
(Elite 11 quarterbacks) are coming into the scene with expectations that are absurd.
–Former BYU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman
Heaps was ranked as the best quarterback in the Class of 2009, which included the likes of Nick Montana, Jesse Scroggins, Devin Gardner and Chandler Whitmer. Heaps was one of eight quarterbacks in the 2009 Elite 11 who transferred from their original school and one of six to play for three different college programs.
“It’s easy to throw a spiral for some of these big guys,” Doman said. “You can wow people on the practice field; you can wow people on the Elite 11.”
But Doman, who recruited Mangum in high school, thinks this quarterback has a chance to make it. If nothing else, BYU coaches did much more homework on Mangum than they did on Heaps, said Doman, who also recruited Heaps.
After offering Heaps a scholarship during his sophomore year of high school, Doman was much more diligent before doing the same with Mangum. Waiting until February of Mangum’s junior year, Doman wanted to thoroughly evaluate the player’s leadership skills and other intangibles. He became convinced while watching Mangum play for his high school basketball team.
“It was so important to me to know that this guy wasn’t just going to be the next guy to come in and be highly touted and not physically hold up,” Doman said. “I saw that with Tanner Mangum, different maybe with others, and that’s why I do believe this kid has a chance to be successful. I do believe that he will grit down and do what is necessary both on and off the football field to be successful.”
He added, “I really do believe for a quarterback at this level, with all the demands that are placed on him, if he doesn’t have some of that internal mental and emotional strength to be able to overcome some of the adversity he’s going to face, he’s going to fail.”
Without saying as much, it was obvious Doman and his then-boss, coach Bronco Mendenhall, learned from the bitter experience with Heaps, who never really assimilated with his college teammates. Mangum, who left his home in Idaho to work out at BYU only days after returning home from his mission, enters college as a mature young man.
Now working out at BYU, Mangum tweeted:
After two amazing, life changing years, it's great to be back surrounded by family and friends. Now it's onto the next chapter! #BYUfootball — Tanner Mangum (@tannermangum) June 16, 2015
Doman also notes that Mangum is not expected to play immediately, instead competing for the backup spot behind starter Taysom Hill. Heaps graduated from high school early with the intent to play as a freshman, which he did.
“This is a different scenario all together,” said Doman.
It also might be different skill-wise. Doman rates Mangum as a prototypical BYU passer with enough athletic ability to spearhead the in vogue no-huddle, spread offense.
But he did caution that Mangum won’t be ready this season, noting that BYU should have signed other quarterbacks as a bridge between the senior Hill and two freshmen quarterbacks. BYU also signed Beau Hoge last winter.
In time, Doman said, BYU fans will love Mangum.
“We’re going to see a guy that’s got flawless mechanics, very good pocket presence, a very good knowledge of the game, and we’re going to see a guy I think BYU fans are going to enjoy watch play,” Doman said. “He’s a guy who can go back there and make every throw you need him to make – every throw.”
