PROVO — Two good quarterbacks are better than only one, so goes the party line BYU coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Ty Detmer have been preaching since assuming their respective positions five months ago.

In theory, the thinking makes perfect sense, especially considering the amount of injuries quarterbacks suffer during the college football season. But the downside is a hotly contested competition between two excellent quarterbacks potentially can divide a team, with factions lobbying or choosing sides.

“I’ve been a part of situations that feel like that, where it can feel like the team gets divided,” said former BYU and NFL quarterback John Beck. “I think a lot of it is what type of camaraderie does each player have within the team? If it’s good, I don’t think it will make a difference.”

Time will tell for BYU, but for now all those involved are saying the right things. The true test comes in August, when Sitake and Detmer will choose between two accomplished quarterbacks, Taysom Hill or Tanner Mangum.

Assuming Hill has recovered enough from last season’s foot injury, the coaches will have a tough decision. Either way, they expect to pick a player capable of leading BYU to an excellent season.

“However it plays out, the team will be better because of it,” Beck said.

Beck speaks from experience, having been in a quarterback competition during his time at BYU. As a freshman in 2003, he was one of several quarterbacks during a 4-8 season. His first college start came during a loss to Stanford, two days after which then-coach Gary Crowton made the infamous statement of wanting to win by nine instead of a two as a way of explaining why Beck threw an interception with BYU nursing a lead late in the game.

After splitting time as a sophomore, Beck assumed control of the position in 2005-06. But there was some tension during his first two seasons.

“You don’t want to divide the team,” Beck said. “You don’t want to be the guy who is hurting the team just because you’re not on the field.”

During his time in college and then in the NFL, Beck always took on the mindset of being the starting quarterback. He would advise Hill and Mangum to take the same attitude.

Related:

BYU rookie coaches may face sticky QB battle

Their desires granted, Kalaini Sitake and Ty Detmer now have to negotiate the potential sticky situation of handling two experienced quarterbacks on the same roster.

Each player should view himself as the starter, with both having significant experience holding the position. Hill, whose college career has been marred by injury, has gone into the last three seasons as the starter. Only three months removed from a church mission last summer, Mangum became the starter after Hill suffered a season-ending injury in the first game.

What makes this competition even more interesting and intense is both quarterbacks have NFL aspirations. And the clock is ticking for both.

Having served a mission and using last season as a redshirt, Hill already is older than several NFL quarterbacks. Only a sophomore, Mangum will turn 23 years old this season.

Neither has any time to waste.

“Both guys have to have the mindset of being the starter,” Beck said. “I know when I was in those battles I always looked at myself as the starter.

“Both those guys have to approach it in the film room (and) on the field that they’re the guy.”

No matter what happens this season, both quarterbacks will benefit from the tutelage of Detmer, who won the Heisman Trophy at BYU in 1990 and lasted 14 years in the NFL. A true legend coming home to coach for the first time should create an interesting storyline as this season unfolds, particularly during the difficult times that usually happen for every team.

“I don’t think for one second the legend of Ty Detmer is going to ever be on the line,” Beck said. “It’s more, let’s be grateful Ty has decided to come back and he’s going to have an influence over our guys. The general feeling is it’s going to be good. There’s maybe going to be bumps, but it’s going to be good ,and let’s be excited about that.”

Related topics