BYU Commit Tanner Mangum Wins Golden Gun Award on Day 1 at Elite 11

Eagle, Idaho’s Tanner Mangum a 2012 Quarterback commit to BYU has been the top story through day one at the nation’s top camp for Quarterback recruits, Elite 11.

The Elite 11 Camp began in 1999 and takes place at West Coast Conference member, Pepperdine’s campus in scenic Malibu, California.  The Elite 11 is a series of camps that start back in March and culminate with this week’s camp as the 11 Quarterbacks compete to be considered the nation’s premiere QB in the 2012 recruiting class.

Mangum came away with the Golden Gun Award on Monday with his impressive accuracy he displayed in front of Elite 11 coach and former NFL QB, Trent Dilfer.  Mangum was one of the few players to throw an accurate pass at a 45-yard target, giving Mangum the Golden Gun Award on Day 1.  He will wear a gold jersey until defeated in the accuracy challenge.

If these type of performances continue from Mangum one can only imagine how much his stock will grow according to these recruiting services.  After Mangum’s impressive showing at The Opening camp in Oregon, Scouts Inc. with ESPNU moved Mangum up 31 spots on their QB rankings.  Prior to The Opening, Mangum was a relative unknown to many outside of the West due to where he is from and the broken collarbone injury he suffered last year.  Now the recruiting gurus are seeing first hand and they are in awe of his talent.

The 6-3/190-pound signal caller hasn’t waivered from his commitment to BYU despite the sudden surge of press and accolades he is receiving.  Michigan, Stanford, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin to name a few are still recruiting Mangum but he appears fully invested in BYU.  Mangum plans to serve an LDS mission in his career.

*****

Being Quarterback U., BYU has a history of players that have attended the Elite 11 camp since it started in 1999.   Ben Olsen (2001), Mike Affleck (2002), Jake Heaps (2009) and now Tanner Mangum (2011).

Jake Heaps was the MVP of the 2009 Elite 11.  Ben Olsen was considered the #1 Quarterback recruit, and #1 recruit in the nation despite being in the same QB class as Vince Young who went on to be one of the most dynamic players at QB the sport of College Football had ever seen, while at Texas.  Olsen transferred to UCLA after returning home from his mission in 2005, and he never lived up to his billing while in Westwood.  Worked out for BYU because it opened the door for not only John Beck (2003-2006), but Max Hall (2007-2009).  The vacant scholarship left by Olsen allowed BYU to get Hall who transferred from Arizona State in 2006.

Mike Affleck originally signed with Arizona State as part of the 2003 recruiting class.  Transferred to BYU as a walk-on prior to the 2004 season while Gary Crowton was the head coach.  Affleck, the former Timpview High product was booted from the program due to breaking the Honor Code. Booze and speeding up Provo Canyon are never a good recipe when your a student-athlete at BYU.  Affleck then transferred to Dixie State and after a year with the Rebels ended his injury plagued career at Utah State.

The Elite 11 camp since 1999 has produced 28 Quarterbacks that have been drafted into the NFL.

*****

On August 10th, ESPN will air a feature recapping the Elite 11 camp.

Subscribe to the Cougar Center Podcast via the iTunes Store.  Search “Cougar Center” at the iTunes Store and it will send you directly to the Podcast.  Leave a rating or a comment while you’re there.