How I can choose a @user in a template variable?

[Guy Hutchison]

I am trying to create a project template where it has a number of tasks that are assigned by default to a specific user.  I'd like to have the template creator put the task owner in a template variable and then have it replicated.

When I use a template text variable, I can put in the @User Name but it simply takes it as text rather than converting it to a user mention.

Any way to get a text input to convert to a mention?  

[Brant Schroeder]

@Guy Hutchison You can only add the @mentions into the template.  For instance if you had an agenda template and you want to have 5 people as mentions on the agenda template then you could add them.