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PROVO -- BYU football 2012 commit, Tanner Mangum, has come out onto the national radar after participating in The Opening and shining in the 7-on-7 tournament at the Nike campus last weekend.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound quarterback from Eagle, Idaho has received national attention and has captured the eyes of many during his time at the Nike campus.
As a verbal BYU commit for the recruiting class of 2012, Mangum has also considered Arkansas Razorbacks, Boise State Broncos, Oregon State Beavers and the Utah Utes, but has made it clear he will be a BYU Cougar.
While at the Nike campus, Mangum tried to convince some to consider BYU and told CBSSports.com writer Bryan Fischer, "Everyone here is pretty set in where they're going, there's a few guys that aren't committed. There aren't any here, but I'm doing my best to recruit some guys to get to the 'Y.' Dylan Collie and I are working together to get some guys to BYU. There's some big recruits that have committed there and I think that 2012 recruiting class will be pretty good."
Collie, also a BYU 2012 commit, is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound wide receiver from El Dorado Hills, Calif. currently playing for Oak Ridge High School.
Some of the experts did what they do best this last weekend and took to their computers to give their thoughts on this young quarterback.
Jeremy Crabtree, an ESPN.com recruiting writer, stated in an online article this weekend that Mangum "has looked good through the entire event," and has captured the eyes of some big names, such as Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro receiver Dwayne Bowe. Crabtree said Bowe stood on the sidelines and watched and commented on how good Mangum was saying, "That quarterback's good, man. That quarterback's good."
Mangum had a star-studded moment while at the Nike campus last weekend when Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice cut to the front of the receiver line where Mangum was throwing passes. Mangum could not believe his eyes and told Crabtree, "It happened in the blink of an eye. I was just going back to get another receiver, and then Jerry Rice cuts to the front of the line. He says, "Hey, I'm going to run an 18-yard comeback." I got a little nervous because I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of all these people."
According to Crabtree's article, Mangum did not disappoint and threw a great pass.
Sports Illustrated writer Barton Simmons also offered his thoughts on Mangum in an online article last weekend saying, "This week at The Opening, Mangum has made an early impression as one of the best quarterbacks in attendance. With good size and athleticism and a good presence about him, I'm predicting Mangum puts up some huge numbers in his career at BYU. In the end, there won't be many football fans who don't know his name."
