BYU Fooball: The depth chart is out and Tanner Mangum is starting
By Shaun Gordon
BYU Football released their post-camp depth chart on Friday, and Tanner Mangum will be the starting quarterback for the Cougars against Arizona.
The biggest question mark surrounding BYU Football heading into their first game next Saturday against Arizona has finally been answered.
On Friday, the coaches released their final depth chart of fall camp, and there’s no more “or” at the starting quarterback position.
Tanner Mangum will be the starter against the Wildcats next week.
The senior will get the nod over freshman Zach Wilson, who battled toe-to-toe with Mangum throughout camp. In the end, though, it looks like Tanner did enough to separate himself.
Either that, or the coaches used the experience factor to break tie.
The new question as the season starts will be which Tanner Mangum shows up this season.
Will it the Mangum who broke nearly every freshman passing record at BYU in 2015 by throwing for 3,377 yards and 21 touchdowns?
Or will it be the Mangum who looked lost and overmatched last season, throwing more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (8) before going down with injury?
We’ll certainly find out, since he’ll be the one under center on the first offensive play in Arizona next Saturday.
But the freshman will be waiting in the wings, ready to take over if the senior struggles or gets hurt again.
Other Depth Chart Notes
-Squally Canada didn’t do enough in fall camp to be declared the outright starter at running back. The senior will split time with redshirt freshman Lopini Katoa.
-The battle for starting tight end is still a mess. Right now four players are listed as potential starters: Matt Bushman (So.), Dallin Holker (Fr.), Moroni Laulu-Pututau (Jr.), and JJ Nwigwe (Sr.).
-There’s still one battle along the offensive line, and it’s right in the middle between James Empey (Fr.) and Jacob Jimenez (Jr.).
-There are no starting battles left along the defense’s front seven.
-Seniors Beau Tanner and Michael Shelton are in an interesting battle. One will start at cornerback, the other will be the primary nickleback.
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-Troy Warner (Jr.) is in two different starting battles. He’s could start over Austin Lee (Jr.) at free safety or over Dyan Ghonwoloku (Jr.) at strong safety. Or he could end up as the primary backup at both positions.