BYU Football: Quarterback depth chart in June

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STARKVILLE, MS – OCTOBER 14: Tanner Mangum /

Most Likely to Start

4. Tanner Mangum

This is where things get interesting. I’m making the bold prediction that Tanner Mangum will not play in 2018. His stats in 2017 were not that impressive, and he is a senior, meaning that playing Mangum would put a one year stall on any other quarterback.

Unless Mangum is significantly better than any other quarterback on the roster, I don’t see how or why they would play him. Mangum brings experience that no other quarterback has, which could bring him into a game if the team is struggling. But as far as starting the first game, don’t expect to see it happen. As of now, he’s still very much in the running to start, though, especially if he proves to be significantly better during fall camp.

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3.Beau Hoge

Beau Hoge is like Tanner Mangum, but with a better case. Hoge has two years of eligibility, giving him a more room than Mangum to be looked at as the quarterback of the future. Statistically last season, Hoge had better performance than Mangum, which is another reason he should have a slight upper hand in the quarterback battle.

Hoge’s biggest problem, besides only having two years of eligibility, is that he’s injury prone. But injuries didn’t keep Sitake from playing Taysom Hill, so don’t expect that to be a deciding factor in who starts in week one.

2. Zach Wilson

I believe that Wilson is the favorite to be the quarterback of the future, the only question is when that will be. If the coaching staff decides to play him now, then he’d lead the Cougars as a four-year starter. However, if they decide he needs more development, then having a redshirt season could be in the cards. Something we have to remember is that Wilson was playing high school football less than a year ago.

1. Joe Critchlow

Critchlow has three more years of eligibility. Last season he finished 2-1 as a starter and during the spring game, not only got the start, but also had the best performance during the game. Playing Critchlow would give freshman quarterbacks the chance to redshirt and still have 4 years of eligibility following this season.

If Critchlow were to be the starter for the nest two seasons, with Wilson and Romney redshirting this year, they would still have four years of eligibility.

Jeff Grimes said that having a lot of quarterback options is a good thing. The options are there, now it remains to be seen if the production can follow.

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