Dick Harmon: Tanner Mangum's Elite 11 QB finish underscores motive, potential

“I’m speechless,” said Eagle coach Paul Peterson, who attended the Elite 11 camp. “It’s incredible for Tanner, but even better, it’s a great moment for Idaho high school football. It gives Idaho football just that much more legitimacy throughout the country.”

Mangum's high school coach continued, in an interview with the Idaho Statesman, “Watching his disposition, it didn’t change. He was still the leader of the pack. He was still the guy raising his hands first with the answers. He was hustling to get to Point A to Point B. He didn’t take a backseat or change his method of operation. It was just the same as at Eagle.”

In 2009, current BYU starting quarterback Jake Heaps won MVP honors at the Elite 11. To receive pledges from two MVPs in the course of three years is a big deal for QB coach Brandon Doman, who cannot comment on unsigned recruits at this time.

But the thing that stands out to me about Mangum is his moxie, his ability to see a challenge and deliver.

In that regard, he reminds one of Doman, the former Skyline High star.

Nobody can absolutely define what being MVP of the Elite 11 means, or what it translates to down the line.

What we do know is 22 of the 32 current starting NFL quarterbacks have attended the Elite 11 camp.

For many, that says a lot.

Dick Harmon, Deseret News sports columnist, can be found on Twitter as Harmonwrites and can be contacted at dharmon@desnews.com