The worries that develop over the course of a season can wait.

For now, BYU fans can relax knowing the Cougars' depth at the ever-important quarterback position just got bolstered as Tanner Mangum returned home from his LDS mission in Antofagasta, Chile, on Wednesday.

Cougar Nation gave the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder a warm welcome.

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The Cougars went through spring camp with a short-handed group at the quarterback position. That included incumbent starter Taysom Hill being held out of contact drills as he continued to recover from a broken leg.

The situation was so dire that BYU called on former Cougar quarterback Christian Stewart to help with reps.

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Now, BYU has some added depth at a key position, though time is short for Mangum to get back into shape before fall camp arrives.

The Idaho native came to Provo as a highly touted recruit. Rated a four-star quarterback prospect by rivals.com — and the third overall QB prospect in the 2011 recruiting class — Mangum was named the co-MVP of the 2011 Nike Elite 11 Quarterback camp along with Jameis Winston, the first overall pick by Tampa Bay in this year's NFL draft.

Mangum's return gives the Cougars some options in the fall. In addition to a fully recovered Hill, BYU will welcome freshman Beau Hoge and will have McCoy Hill and Hunter Moore, to give the Cougars five quarterbacks.

Email: bjudd@deseretdigital.com; Twitter: @brandonljudd

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