BYU football picks freshman Bear Bachmeier as starting QB, reports say

Provo • It looks like a quarterback has finally emerged in Provo.

True freshman Bear Bachmeier is now the favorite to lead BYU into 2025, according to multiple reports, a move that puts the program’s fate into the hands of a 19-year-old.

A player this young has never come out of fall camp as the starter at BYU. Even Zach Wilson, who played in nine games as a freshman, didn’t win the job out of camp.

Here are five things to know about Bachmeier and the decision to anoint him BYU’s leader this early.

1. A perfect storm

You can’t talk about the quarterback situation without addressing how BYU arrived here. This was supposed to be the crescendo to Jake Retzlaff’s career, as the senior quarterback tried to get the Cougars to a Big 12 title game and the College Football Playoff.

The Cougars built this entire roster with Retzlaff in mind, surrounding him with a veteran defense and key returning playmakers like Chase Roberts and LJ Martin. BYU even spent significant money to add veteran pieces to a roster ready to win now. Keanu Tanuvasa, a Utah transfer, came with a hefty price tag. So did guys like Andrew Gentry and Carsen Ryan.

Traditionally, year three in offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick’s system is when quarterbacks make the biggest jump. Look at Wilson, who blossomed into the second overall pick in his third year. He threw for 3,647 yards and BYU was a contender for the playoff.

That is what BYU had in mind until Retzlaff left the program instead of facing a seven-game Honor Code suspension.

Now, the Cougars are just trying to pick up the pieces. BYU still has all the talent. But without a quarterback to make it go, this team likely goes from a contender to just trying to make a bowl game.

This set up the void for Bachmeier to step into. Behind Retzlaff, BYU had nearly no depth. McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet were solid options, but not inspiring. Hillstead played at Utah State and Bourguet came from Western Michigan.

Bachmeier was easily the most physically gifted of the three, standing at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds with the ability to run and throw. The question was how fast he could get up to speed in the offense.

Under normal circumstances, Bachmeier may not have even been Retzlaff’s backup — with BYU opting for the experience of a Hillstead as a second option. But now needing a quarterback to elevate this roster and win games, Bachmeier is the choice to start.

2. An early transfer

Bachmeier was a four-star recruit out of high school, with offers from Georgia, Alabama and others. But the California native wound up at Stanford, going through spring practice in Palo Alto earlier this year.

Bachmeier’s brother, Tiger, was a wide receiver for the Cardinal. But both brothers hit the transfer portal after Stanford’s coaching change.

Roderick recruited Bachmeier out of high school and had a relationship. The QB never visited BYU — mostly because he committed to Stanford so young — but was intrigued by a system where mobile quarterbacks thrived.

All of Roderick’s best quarterbacks in recent years have fit Bachmeier’s mold: Wilson, Jaren Hall, Retzlaff. Wilson and Hall were drafted. Retzlaff is finishing his career at Tulane.

3. Another window?

In many ways, it feels like BYU missed its window to compete this year. Last year, the Cougars surprised on the scene to go 11-2 and finish 13th in the country. This year — when many of its top playmakers were veterans on both offense and defense — was actually the time when BYU was supposed to break through.

But without a proven quarterback, it sends BYU back to the drawing board. Still, there is a possibility playing Bachmeier this early sets BYU up for a run next year.

Letting a talented prospect get a year of experience under his belt allows the Cougars, in theory, to go into 2026 with an experienced quarterback ready to make a jump.

And even though BYU will lose plenty of veterans next year — like Roberts, Isaiah Glasker, Jack Kelly, just to name a few — there are some young players on this roster that could grow with Bachmeier for 2026.

You are looking at an offensive core of JoJo Phillips, Cody Hagen, Tiger Bachmeier, Tei Nacua and Lamason Waller. It is early, but maybe with an experienced quarterback next year it could surprise people again.

4. The Ryder Lyons problem

Ryder Lyons should also be part of this discussion. The five-star quarterback is BYU’s highest-rated recruit in the Kalani Sitake era.

He gets on campus in 2027 after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Did BYU really want Lyons to arrive in Provo without knowing what it had in Bachmeier?

In theory, if BYU gave this job to Hillstead this year, it was possible we wouldn’t see Bachmeier play until 2027. Hillstead and Bourguet aren’t seniors, they have multiple years left. So if Bachmeier didn’t play this year, he’d have to compete with them again in fall camp for 2026 — maybe sitting behind them a second year.

As soon as Lyons gets on campus, people are going to push for the prospect to get on the field quickly. At least now, BYU will be fully aware of what Bachmeier is by that time.

If Bachmeier is good, BYU can comfortably let Lyons sit his first year and learn the offense. If Bachmeier is bad, then the Cougars can try to play their five-star freshman.

At least BYU will have given Bachmeier a chance, a four-star recruit in his own right and a prospect BYU shouldn’t let walk without a look.

5. Bachmeier’s skill set

As for his actual play, Bachmeier has been impressive since he got to campus this summer.

He has a strong arm and made throws into tight windows. Last week, he layered a ball into Carsen Ryan. He’s thrown receivers open. It’s something Hillstead and Bourguet haven’t consistently showed.

Bachmeier is also a threat to run, a strength in Roderick’s system.

BYU opens up with a relatively easy first month of the season. Portland State comes to Provo early and Stanford is in town. A bye week comes before Big 12 play. It gives a true freshman time to acclimate.