Doman trying again as 49er

Nobody knows if Brandon Doman will ever be the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback. But there is little doubt that Doman, a natural-born leader, could easily be somebody's CEO, chairman of the board or elected official in whatever branch of government fits his fancy.

That's just Doman, once "The Domanator" of BYU's 2001 football season.

Doman remains the only returned LDS missionary quarterback to ever lead Cougar football to a conference championship — a reference that spans just a mite over a century.

Doman did that after languishing on the Cougar bench for most of three years fiddling around as a receiver and defensive back. Without repetitions or a redshirt season, progression was indistinguishable. Doman hardly looked good, he tossed suspect passes and failed to impress. Even in spring practice before his King Kong senior year, Doman looked lost.

Then Doman had a miracle summer — he became a quarterback. It remains one of the biggest turnarounds ever witnessed in Provo. Doman worked his tail off and within months he emerged. He led the Cougars to a 12-0 start in 2001, quarterbacking one of college football's all-time explosive offenses. That squad averaged 46.8 points a game, 7.1 yards per play, 542.8 yards per game and 7,057 yards of total offense.

This week, Doman stopped long enough after a set of wind sprints in Provo to reflect on football, his status and the challenge faced by his alma mater in 2004.

Doman thought he'd return to Washington this season. But in January, the 49ers called and signed him to a contract through 2006. The pact is slightly better than his deal when drafted by San Francisco, although nothing is guaranteed. All 49er quarterbacks are young this season. In the first mini-camp, starter Tim Rattay snapped his groin and Doman and Ken Dorsey split the reps 50-50 in all summer camps.

"I couldn't ask for a better situation," Doman said. "I had a great camp, a lot of opportunities. Just like here at BYU, I didn't gain my confidence until I got the opportunity. It's the same in the NFL. You need reps. Everybody is good. I'm getting close. I've just got to get it done."

Doman's 49er camp opens July 30.

This summer Doman and other former Cougars now in the NFL are working out with current Cougars who've stuck around for voluntary conditioning and pick-up seven-on-seven exercises.