This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • New BYU football coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Ty Detmer will have a quarterback controversy on their hands this fall.
And they appear to be absolutely thrilled about it.
Senior quarterback Taysom Hill said Tuesday that he will return to BYU for his final season of eligibility, ending speculation that the talented dual-threat QB would take advantage of the NCAA's graduate transfer rule and play instead at Michigan, Virginia, Stanford or another Division I program.
"#Cougarnation, I want to thank you for all of your love and support and let you know I am coming back to BYU for one more year," Hill wrote on his Twitter account after telling BYU coaches and teammates in a team meeting Tuesday morning.
His return means the Cougars will be deep at the position, because sophomore Tanner Mangum also returns after earning several Freshman Quarterback of the Year honors in 2015. Mangum replaced Hill, who suffered a season-ending Lisfranc foot injury in the opener against Nebraska, and threw for 3,377 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.
"Taysom is a proven commodity and is a great leader for our football team," Sitake said in a school news release. "We are thrilled to have him back for one more year."
In an early January interview, Detmer said one of his and Sitake's priorities was to persuade Hill to return to BYU. He repeated that desire on National Signing Day in early February.
Now comes the hard part — figuring out a way to get both talented QBs on the field, or at least keep both happy.
It is not clear whether Hill has recovered from his third season-ending injury in four seasons enough to fully participate in spring practices, which begin March 1.
BYU's Pro Day is March 25 and its spring scrimmage is set for March 26 (so it doesn't conflict with the April 2-3 LDS General Conference). The final practice is April 1.
Hill is BYU's career leader in QB rushing with 2,212 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has passed for 4,606 yards and 31 touchdowns while starting in 21 games.
In his only full season, 2013, he passed for 2,938 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 1,344 yards and 10 TDs.
Hill completed 21 of 34 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 72 yards and two TDs in the opener against Nebraska before leaving with the foot injury.
BYU opens the 2016 season against Arizona at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 3, and will face six teams from Power 5 conferences in its first seven games.
Twitter: @drewjay