Watch the video above to find out why Eagle’s, now BYU’s, Tanner Mangum had the nation buzzing long before he beat Nebraska in Lincoln.  Tanner Mangum is living the dream.  He’s been interviewed on Sports Center, profiled by the Salt Lake Tribune, and ESPN.  Not bad for a kid from Eagle, Idaho who hadn’t played football since the Spring of 2013.  Mangum decided his football career could wait while he served his LDS Mission in Chile.  Saturday Night his dream will become his reality facing his hometown team the Boise State Broncos on ESPN2.

The quarterback will be playing for BYU and his favorite team growing up, the Broncos.  Tanner’s Mother, Karen Mangum tells ESPN that “he fell in love with Chris Petersen at Boise State.”  It was a tough call, but the quarterback chose Provo over Boise.  He then decided he would fulfill his mission before completing the eventual ‘Hail Mary Pass’ that defeated the Cornhuskers in Lincoln.

During his mission, Tanner did not take one hot shower in his first year.  He called home twice per year via Skype at Christmas and Mother’s Day according to the ESPN profile.  Although driven to excel on the field, Tanner’s an Eagle Scout, played the cello for five years and sang in the high school choir.

BYU Coach Bronco Mendenhall reminded the nation that Mangum shared the Elite 11 MVP honors with Heisman Trophy Winner and the NFL’s Number One Draft Pick Jameis Winston. 

  I remember hearing about and covering Tanner back them.   In fact, we did broadcast his signing on 630 The Fan.  I remember he was a young man full of poise and confidence.  He tells the Salt Lake Tribune that he respects every opponent including Boise State.  “It is pretty special,” he said. “Obviously, where I am from everybody is a huge Boise State fan, so I know I will have a lot of people rooting against me. But that is fine. I have to remind myself that it doesn’t matter who we are playing. We have to respect our opponent no matter who they are.”

BYU's Mangum
Eric Francis/Getty Images
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Tanner’s journey as the BYU Starter does not get any easier after playing BSU.  The Cougars take on Michigan and UCLA in the upcoming weeks.  Although those teams are tough, Mangum’s commitment to his faith and family will guide him to victory regardless of the score on the field. 

 

 

 

 

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