This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Here in the media business, wanting our predictions to become true is only natural. In the case of Taysom Hill's being named BYU's starting quarterback Tuesday, I'm consoled by the fact that having said in February that Tanner Mangum would remain the Cougars' No. 1 QB, I missed by only one spot.

Mangum is No. 2.

After making my Super Bowl call every Labor Day Weekend, I spend 17 weeks cheering for that team to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy. It actually happened recently with the Seattle Seahawks. But after Hill has gone through, with three season-ending injuries and the death in March of an older brother he once idolized as a young quarterback, cheering against him in the competition with Mangum was pretty much impossible — even though, as always, I wanted to be right.

Looking back, I underestimated Hill's persistence in coming back from a Lisfranc foot injury and his ability to impress offensive coordinator Ty Detmer as a passer. Hill's leadership undoubtedly helped him win the job. Not that Mangum lacks such traits, just that Hill is exceptional.

So how will this play out for Hill and the Cougars? How could anyone say, for sure? I do know that regardless of what happens, it will be a fascinating story. The quarterback who turned 26 on Tuesday may deliver a remarkable ending of his five-year college career, or he may remain cursed. Either way, from a media perspective, this will be good stuff.

And nobody who has followed Hill's career could feel completely detached in watching him in 2016. Having written about the funeral of Dexter Hill this past spring, I know how much Taysom wants to honor his brother this season. That's why he'll wear No. 7 when the Cougars take the field next week vs. Arizona.

Mangum's story has taken its own twist with Hill's return, and he'll be interesting to watch as well. This development removes the potential of Magnum's becoming a 50-game starter for BYU, and how he responds the next time he plays — regardless of the circumstances — will say a lot about him.

Twitter: @tribkurt