As BYU football ramps up for its 2025 season, the team finds itself immersed in a heated quarterback battle with no clear frontrunner. The quarterback position โ always a high-profile role in Provo โ is wide open following the departure of last seasonโs starter, Jake Retzlaff, who transferred to Tulane. With fall camp about to kick off, anticipation and pressure are building across the program, and that tension is amplified by the return of two legendary Cougar quarterbacks: Steve Young and John Beck.
The current quarterback competition features four hopefuls, each with their own unique backgrounds and skill sets. First is Bear Bachmeier, a transfer from Stanford with solid experience and potential. Then thereโs McCae Hillstead, who comes in from Utah State, bringing a reputation as a playmaker. Treyson Bourguet, a transfer from Western Michigan, is another contender, while true freshman Emerson Geilman is hoping to turn heads and earn a shot. Despite their diverse resumes, none of the four have been officially named the starter, and the battle remains wide open as camp looms.
This uncertain landscape is part of what makes this offseason particularly compelling. For fans and coaches alike, thereโs both excitement and concern โ who will rise to the challenge and take the reins of BYUโs offense? Adding to the drama is the recent visit from two of the most iconic quarterbacks in the programโs history: Steve Young and John Beck. Their presence wasnโt just ceremonial; it was purposeful, meant to inspire and guide the next generation of Cougar quarterbacks.
Steve Youngโs return to BYU is both symbolic and significant. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Youngโs journey is legendary. When he first arrived at BYU, he was buried on the depth chart โ eighth string โ yet he clawed his way to the top, becoming an All-American before launching a storied NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. During his visit this week, Young addressed the current quarterback contenders, sharing words of encouragement and realism. His central message was clear: nothing is given, everything is earned. For players like Bachmeier and Bourguet, hearing those words from someone who walked their path and overcame seemingly insurmountable odds adds depth and meaning to their own journey.
Youngโs story resonates even more now, given the crowded nature of the quarterback competition. It reinforces a truth often lost in todayโs transfer-heavy college football landscape โ that success is often the result of patience, effort, and resilience. The fact that someone of his stature returned to share that message directly with the current quarterbacks underscores how important this position is to BYUโs identity and tradition.
John Beck, another beloved figure in Cougar football history, also returned to campus with purpose. As BYUโs starting quarterback from 2004 to 2006, Beck helped lead the program through a pivotal era. Now, heโs a nationally respected quarterback trainer at 3DQB, a California-based program known for working with NFL stars such as Zach Wilson (another BYU product), Tua Tagovailoa, and Justin Fields. Beck has spent years refining quarterback mechanics and preparing athletes for the highest levels of football, and his expertise is highly sought after.
Unlike Young, Beckโs connection to the current roster is even more direct. Heโs trained some of the very players currently competing for the starting job and continues to serve as a mentor to young quarterbacks navigating the pressures of high-level football. When he stood beside the players during his visit, he wasnโt just reminiscing about the past โ he was actively investing in the future of the program. His involvement offers a bridge between BYUโs storied quarterback legacy and the teamโs current evolution in the Big 12 Conference.
For the players, the visit left a powerful impression. One of the most notable reactions came from Treyson Bourguet, who didnโt need words to express his appreciation. Instead, he reposted a photo of Young and Beck with two goat emojis โ a universally recognized nod to greatness, and a subtle yet clear expression of awe and respect. That small gesture spoke volumes, highlighting what many players must have felt in that moment: a mix of admiration, motivation, and perhaps the weight of expectation.
The presence of Young and Beck adds another layer to what is already a high-stakes situation. Their return isnโt just a trip down memory lane โ itโs a reminder of whatโs at stake. BYU isnโt just looking for a quarterback; itโs looking for a leader, a face of the program, someone who can rise above the competition and carry the legacy forward. Thatโs no small task, and the visit from two of the programโs all-time greats only emphasizes the magnitude of that responsibility.
This quarterback battle is taking place in a broader context of change and ambition for BYU. The Cougars are continuing to adjust to life in the Big 12, where the competition is stiffer and the margin for error is slimmer. To be successful, BYU needs a quarterback who can handle both the physical and mental demands of the position โ someone who can execute the offense, lead in the locker room, and remain poised under pressure.
The return of legends like Young and Beck also speaks to the strength of BYUโs football culture. This is a program that embraces its history and leans into its traditions. By inviting former stars to be part of the present, BYU reinforces the idea that its legacy is alive and evolving. Players are reminded that they are part of something bigger โ a lineage of excellence that stretches from LaVell Edwards to today.
As fall camp kicks off, the quarterback race will be front and center. Every practice rep, every team drill, and every scrimmage snap will matter. Coaches will be watching closely, looking for someone who stands out not just with arm strength or mobility, but with leadership, consistency, and a strong mental approach. With Young and Beckโs recent visit, the standard has been set high โ not just to win the job, but to honor the jersey and everything it represents.
In the end, only one player will emerge as BYUโs starting quarterback for the 2025 season. But all four current contenders โ Bachmeier, Hillstead, Bourguet, and Geilman โ now carry with them the words and wisdom of two legends who once stood where they now stand. That guidance could make all the difference as the Cougars look to chart their future, one snap at a time.
