Tanner Mangum returned to Idaho on the first Wednesday of June after spending 22 months as a missionary in the Antofagasta region of Chile.
Four days later, he left his parents’ home northwest of Boise on a new mission — to play quarterback at Brigham Young.
RELATED: Watch Dreamin, a Tribute to BYU Football
You may see these two journeys as unrelated, but they are inseparable to Mangum. A true freshman who turned 22 on Tuesday, Mangum will make his first start for the Cougars on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium against his hometown school, Boise State, fulfilling a dream he has kept half his life.
A season-ending foot injury suffered by senior Taysom Hill pressed Mangum into unexpected action last week in the second quarter of BYU’s season opener at Nebraska. He responded with a 7-for-11 passing effort in the 33-28 BYU victory and led a 76-yard drive in the final 48 seconds, capped by a 42-yard Hail Mary on fourth down.
Keep reading Mangum’s interview with ESPN.
