When Fall camp begins soon for the BYU Cougars, the spotlight will be focused squarely on the highly competitive quarterback battle. There are three main contenders vying for the starting role: redshirt junior Treyson Bourguet, redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead, and true freshman Bear Bachmeier. While each player brings something different to the table, Bachmeier enters the race with the toughest road ahead, statistically speaking, as true freshmen rarely start at quarterback—especially in week one—at Power Four programs like BYU.
Last season in FBS football, only 14 true freshmen quarterbacks saw at least 100 dropbacks at Power Four schools. Of those, just one—Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, a former five-star recruit—earned the starting job from week one. Typically, freshmen QBs who do play early start midway through the season, not right out of the gate. Examples from 2023 include DJ Lagway (Florida), Michael Van Buren Jr. (Mississippi State), and Demond Williams Jr. (Washington), all of whom stepped in later in the year.
Under current BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick, only Zach Wilson has played as a true freshman—and even he didn’t become the starter until midway through his first season. Based on this history, the odds are stacked against Bear Bachmeier stepping into the role from day one.
That said, it doesn’t mean Bachmeier has no chance. Roderick has made it clear that the job will go to whoever is ready, regardless of experience. If Bear proves himself quickly, the door is wide open.
What complicates Bachmeier’s situation is his unique background. He actually began Spring camp at Stanford before transferring to BYU, meaning he’s behind in learning the Cougars’ system. The playbook at BYU is complex, and his late arrival means he’ll need to absorb a lot of information quickly. Fortunately, Bear may be well-suited for the task.
Academics and intelligence run deep in the Bachmeier family. Bear chose Stanford initially, valuing its academic excellence. His older brother Tiger, now a wide receiver at BYU, also graduated from Stanford in just 2.5 years before transferring. Their family has a strong football pedigree, too. Another brother, Hank Bachmeier, won the starting quarterback job at Boise State as a true freshman back in 2019. In his very first game, Hank led the Broncos to a major win over Florida State. Tiger, meanwhile, led the Pac-12 in receiving yards during his freshman year. In other words, the Bachmeiers know how to handle the spotlight early.
Bear himself had an impressive high school career at Murrieta Valley High School in California, starting at quarterback for three seasons. Statistically, he was a dominant force, putting up a touchdown-to-interception ratio (including rushing scores) of 92-to-14. Physically, he checks all the boxes. At 230 pounds, he’s already built like a college veteran. He’s a dual-threat quarterback—comfortable making plays on the run and possessing the arm strength to make all the necessary throws in BYU’s offensive system.
In terms of raw talent and potential, many analysts believe Bear has the highest ceiling of any of the three quarterbacks in the running. While Hillstead and Bourguet have more experience in the BYU program, Bachmeier might have more long-term upside. If he’s able to close the knowledge gap quickly, he could emerge as a serious threat to win the job.
From a scheduling perspective, the early part of BYU’s 2025 season may offer the perfect opportunity to break in a young quarterback. The non-conference schedule is relatively soft by Power Four standards. The Cougars open at home against Portland State, followed by a matchup against Stanford. After that, they get a bye in week three before heading on the road to face East Carolina. These first three games provide a less intense ramp-up before BYU enters the more grueling part of its schedule. If the coaching staff is going to take a chance on a freshman, doing it early in the year—especially when the games are more manageable—makes the most strategic sense.
Another factor helping Bachmeier’s case is the current depth chart shuffle. Jake Retzlaff, who had been competing for the starting job, has seen his position in the race diminish or possibly vanish, giving Bear a clearer path to not just compete but potentially emerge as the quarterback of the present and the future in Provo.
While the numbers and history suggest Bear Bachmeier is a long shot to start in week one, his pedigree, intelligence, and physical readiness make him an intriguing wildcard. The combination of his family’s experience, his proven ability to learn and adapt, and the structure of BYU’s early season could create the perfect environment for him to seize the opportunity.
As Fall camp progresses, every rep, every throw, and every decision he makes in practice will be under scrutiny. If Bear can master the playbook quickly and build chemistry with his teammates, he could not only surprise everyone by winning the job—but also cement himself as a foundational piece for BYU’s future success. The battle is just beginning, but all eyes will be on Bear to see if he can rise to the challenge.
