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BYU names Taysom Hill starting quarterback for 2016 season

By Brad Berreman

Sep 5, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (4) looks to pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (4) looks to pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the season opener fast approaching, BYU has chosen Taysom Hill  as their starting quarterback.

The BYU Cougars have a new head coach (Kalani Sitake) and offensive coordinator (Ty Detmer) this year, but they’re going with a familiar name at quarterback. According to Jay Drew of The Salt Lake Tribune, redshirt senior Taysom Hill has been name the starter over sophomore Tanner Mangum.

Hill has had an injury-riddle career at BYU, with just five games played over the last two seasons. He suffered a Lisfranc dislocation in last year’s season opener, which opened the door for Mangum to become a hero with last-minute touchdown passes in each of his first two games.

Mangum played well as a freshman in 2015, with 3,377 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while leading the Cougars to an 8-4 record as a starter. So he was a worthy candidate, but Sitake clearly feels Hill won the starting job.

"“”The best guy won, and a great player was in second place,” head coach Kalani Sitake told reporters after announcing the news. “For the team and where we sit right now, this was the best move for us.”"

Detmer echoed Sitake’s sentiment.

"“Taysom’s our guy, and he’s done it every year,”"

In 2013, his last fully healthy season, Hill threw for 2,938 yards and 19 touchdowns (14 interceptions) along with 1,344 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. That threat as a runner, assuming he can stay healthy, may have tipped the scales toward Hill in the competition for the starting job. If nothing else, Sitake and Detmer have a capable backup in Mangum if Hill struggles or is injured yet again.

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Tuesday happens to be Hill’s 26th birthday, so he got a nice present. BYU opens the season on Sept. 3 against Arizona at University of Phoenix Stadium.

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