BYU names Bachmeier starting quarterback

BYU will start Bear Bachmeier, making him the first true freshman to start a season opener in school history.

BYU Names Bachmeier First True Freshman Starter for Opener

BYU has named Bear Bachmeier as the Cougars' starting quarterback for the opener against Portland State on Aug. 30, making him the program’s first true freshman to start a season. Bachmeier, who wears No. 47, is a transfer who spent the spring at Stanford before joining BYU in May. He beat out redshirt sophomore transfer McCae Hillstead and redshirt junior transfer Treyson Bourguet after a camp competition. The Cougars went 11-2 last season and defeated Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.

Bachmeier will be throwing to his brother Tiger Bachmeier, a junior wide receiver who also transferred from Stanford this spring and is projected to play a large role in BYU’s receiving corps. The quarterback choice comes from a family with deep football roots, including Bear’s oldest brother Hank, who played quarterback at Boise State, Louisiana Tech and Wake Forest. Bear reportedly drew interest from programs such as Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas A&M out of high school. BYU’s Week 2 opponent is Stanford, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Bachmeier’s debut and the program’s ongoing quest for depth at quarterback.

The decision to start a true freshman signals a willingness at BYU to push development quickly and trust young talent in a high-stakes role. It also underscores a shift in how the program evaluates depth at quarterback after the Retzlaff situation and the presence of multiple transfers competing for the job. The Bear-Tiger on-field connection provides a narrative that could amplify attention from fans and media, potentially helping or hindering Bachmeier as he adjusts to BYU’s system and pace.

This choice places pressure on Bachmeier to translate spring practice into game-level consistency right away. It also tests BYU’s roster strategy: can a freshman lead a program with a storied QB lineage, while a rival like Stanford looms in Week 2? The decision will shape expectations around development timelines, the use of transfers, and how BYU balances immediate results with long-term growth.

Highlights

The season will reveal whether BYU’s faith in youth pays off or if growing pains follow the bold call.