Taysom Hill.

Now let me put the argument out there to back myself up. I think he is a once in a generation athlete, leader and talent. I realize he isn't the greatest thrower we have ever had, but he really doesn't need to be either. Read this article by Jeff Call and tell me that you aren't excited.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865635642/Cougars-looking-for-special-season-with-senior-QB-Hill-at-the-controls.html

“I look at this schedule as very tough. Those big-time games are on the road,” Holmoe said. “But this schedule was built for a kid by the name of Taysom Hill. If we were ever going to play a tough schedule, I like him being behind center"

He is universally recognized on this team as "THE" man, to the point where last year the entire season collapsed when he was injured. No one wants that again - but when was the last time a qb at BYU had that much respect and that much universal appeal from his teammates. Detmer? They believe the team WILL win just by his being on the field.

“He is the leader not only of the offense but of our team. We all look up to him,” said offensive lineman Ryker Mathews. “He’s a workhorse. We know if we protect him, we’re going to win games. That makes all the difference. Everyone has more confidence. Receivers know the ball’s going to be there. The O-line knows the ball’s going to get off when it’s supposed to. It changes everything.”

And how does he win? Taysom has won 14 out of 19 games as a starter. That is a 73% winning percentage, which puts him in elite status of BYU quarterbacks, especially since the mid 80's. Let's put it this way, for quarterbacks who have yet to play their senior year at BYU he has the 2nd highest winning percentage since Detmer and from Jimmy Mac forward only Jimmy Mac, Detmer and Hall ranked higher. That's crazy.

Taysom's losses have come on the road to Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Virginia and a bowl game against Washington and the sad loss to Utah. He has never lost to a non p5 team.

I understand he has improvement to make in his passing. I expect him to be more efficient this year. Imagine if he was 155 or better efficiency - what this season could look like.

In the last 40 years of BYU football the only quarterback with multiple starts coming into his senior year who did not have a fantastic senior year was a broken backed Riley.

BYU has some suspensions in some places that aren't favorable for game one. I except, however, the defense to have made huge strides over last year. I think we played a bunch of new guys who had no idea what they were doing with a dc who was in over his head and almost every player who played two years ago had a worse year last year than the year before. I expect a return to normalcy this year. Older wiser players, better defensive coaching, more talent - even with the suspensions game one.

But really, this year is all about Taysom. If he is healthy, and that is a big if, Taysom is as good as gold and this year could be excellent. It could even be nearly epic (even with the ridiculous schedule)