Who is BYU football's starting quarterback? What to know about Bear Bachmeier, who won the Cougars' QB role over McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet.

Can Bachmeier be average or slightly above? If he can, as long as he steps up in occasional moments of need, his naming will have been not just on point, but downright prophetic. BYU, then, will have its quarterback. The distinct sentences will converge in one name … yeah, Bear Bachmeier.

Fr. Primary backup: McCae Hillstead, 5-10, 195, So. In a somewhat surprising development, Bachmeier beat out both Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet to be named BYU’s starting quarterback to open the season.

Retzlaff won a tight competition with Gerry Bohanon to become BYU’s starter last season and got better as the season progressed. Retzlaff threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, adding 417 yards and six more TDs rushing.

After one of the biggest offseason quarterback battles in BYU football's history, the team has officially named freshman Bear Bachmeier the starting quarterback.

The 2025 college football season kicks off on Saturday. While BYU will be at home and counting down the days until kickoff, three of BYU's opponents will be in

Backup quarterback Emerson Geilman opened his mission call after practice in front of his teammates on Tuesday. He shared a video of the moment on social media.