In my opinion, the best returning high school quarterback in the state is Logan's Jeff Manning, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound rising senior who helped the Grizzlies win the 3A state championship last fall.

Actually, I think Manning is one of the top five prep quarterbacks in the western United States, having watched most of them throw at a 7 on 7 passing camp in March a few weeks ago.

I talked to Manning in Provo last week, and I was surprised to learn he doesn't have a single Division I offer yet.

What's going on?

Manning says he isn't worried about the situation, but he thinks college coaches have been slow to offer because he is very upfront about his LDS mission plans.

"I tell them that I turn 19 in January [2010] after I graduate and that I am going on a mission," he said. "That doesn't cause them to back off, but it does seem to make them slow down."

Manning said schools have talked to him about greyshirting his first year (enrolling, but paying his own way) and then signing in 2012 when he returns home.

Manning attended several University of Utah practices and scrimmages during the Utes' spring camp, and most people figures the Utes would offer the lifelong Ute fan. However, they recently offered Taysom Hill, the prep standout from Pocatello, Idaho.

"I have no problem with that," Manning said. "He's a good athlete. He deserves it."

However, Manning does want to sign with a school next February (to show commitment, as much as anything else) and has had serious discussions with BYU, Colorado State, Boise State, Washington, Utah and Utah State.

"I will eventually get some offers from some great schools," he said. "I'm not worried about it too much."

Manning threw for 2,280 yards and 29 touchdowns last year and also rushed for 490 yards and 10 TDs. He said he is going to try to hit as many camps as possible this summer, even if it is for just one day.