Taysom Hill (4) will be BYU’s starting QB when the Cougars open up at Arizona. Photo Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Brigham Young senior Taysom Hill turned 26 years old on Tuesday and he received the present he most coveted.
Hill was named BYU’s starting quarterback by first-year coach Kalani Sitake.
The senior beat out sophomore Tanner Mangum, who passed for 3,377 yards and 23 touchdowns after Hill was lost in the 2015 season opener with a foot injury.
“We talked as a staff this weekend, and Taysom’s going to be our starter,” offensive coordinator Ty Detmer told reporters after Tuesday’s practice. “He’s 100 percent healthy, and he’s a fifth-year senior. He turned 26 today. He’s got the experience and the leadership.”
Hill also sustained season-ending injuries in 2012 and 2014 so health is always an issue with the dual-threat signal caller. He ranks 13th in BYU history with 4,606 passing yards to go with 31 touchdowns, while also rushing for 2,212 yards and 24 scores.
His lone healthy season at BYU came in 2013 as a sophomore when he passed for 2,938 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 1,344 yards and 10 scores.
Mangum created a name for himself immediately upon replacing Hill in the season opener against Nebraska by throwing a “Hail Mary” touchdown pass on the final play of the game.
Mangum made his first career start the next week against Boise State and furthered his reputation by throwing a game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute. He became the first BYU freshman to ever throw for more than 3,000 yards.
The Cougars open the season against Arizona on Sept. 3.
