Tanner Mangum fell asleep on a Malibu beach Friday evening — a brief rest in his busy summer and another splendid moment in a summer filled with them.
Earlier in the day, Mangum, a senior at Eagle High, capped his ascent to the top of the recruiting rankings by earning MVP honors at the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp in Malibu, Calif.
The event featured 24 of the best high school quarterbacks in the country, including Boise State commitment Nick Patti. Mangum was one of three MVPs awarded by the coaching staff, led by former NFLer Trent Dilfer, and the lone winner as voted by college counselors, including Boise State senior and Heisman Trophy finalist Kellen Moore.
“Tanner Mangum was perfect. Literally he was perfect. He was on time. His accuracy was perfect. His leadership qualities, his energy. He just brings this spirit to the field with him,” Dilfer said Thursday. “It’s going to be hard not to make Tanner (No. 1).”
Mangum made it impossible. He won the “Golden Gun” accuracy award twice during the five-day camp and steadily climbed the camp rankings. He was No. 4 on Wednesday’s initial list.
“I knew coming in I wasn’t getting the most attention, I wasn’t expected to do the best at this camp. I knew I deserved it (No. 4). I had earned it,” said Mangum, who has committed to BYU. “It felt good to continue to climb throughout the week. It was a steady climb.”
He can expect a similar rise in the scouting services rankings. Scout.com has Mangum, a three-star prospect, as the No. 18 quarterback in the country. Rivals.com has him at No. 9 and a four-star. Those numbers will change after Mangum’s stellar work at the Elite 11 and The Opening, a Nike-sponsored camp for top prospects in Oregon earlier this month. Mangum could be a top-10 overall prospect.
“I’m speechless,” said Eagle coach Paul Peterson, who attended the Elite 11 camp from Wednesday through Friday. “It’s incredible for Tanner, but even better year, it’s a great moment for Idaho high school football. It gives Idaho football just that much more legitimacy throughout the country.”
Mangum and his family had lunch with Dilfer and quarterback coach George Whitfield when camp ended Friday. He spent time picking the brains of the college counselors, including Moore, Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins, San Diego State’s Ryan Lindley and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden. He made friends with many of the quarterbacks at the camp, including Patti.
He’s going to win any “What I did on my summer vacation” contest that Eagle has.
“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,” Peterson said. “He didn’t take a backseat or change his method of operation. It was just the same as at Eagle.”
The summer of football won’t stop for Mangum. He plans on being at Eagle’s workouts Monday morning, hoping to apply the lessons he learned at the camp. His goal now is a state title.
“I’m much better after this week than I was coming in. I had to dig deep inside myself and find some more confidence, some more poise,” said Mangum, who added that he improved his footwork and fundamentals.
‘They really stressed the leadership aspect. When the game is going and there is pressure everywhere, the quarterback has to stay calm and stay poised. I have a new confidence.”
He should. For one week, at least, he was the best of the best. The best high school quarterback in the country lives in Eagle.
What better way to celebrate than a quick nap on the shores of the Pacific.
Brian Murphy: 377-6444
