If BYU goes with Bear Bachmeier as QB1 (as expected) it would be historic

It is expected that BYU will announce its starting quarterback this week.

In my opinion, the Cougars will replace senior starter Jake Retzlaff, who transferred to Tulane, with true freshman Bear Bachmeier.

Advertisement

It’s a gamble. It’s as rare as a bloody slab of sirloin steak. It’s something BYU’s quarterback factory, a system that’s passed for more yards than any other college football program, is not used to doing.

But these are times in the Big 12 when BYU must move forward and look to the future with a four-star recruit, a guy who signed with Stanford out of Murrieta High in California and had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan, Notre Dame and Stanford, to mention a few.

You bring a recruit like Bachmeier to Provo with the carrot of competitive NIL money, and challengers McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet would need to rocket past him and make it clear to offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick that there was no other decision to be made but to pick one of them.

Apparently, from practice reports and media availability sessions, that didn’t happen.

Advertisement

Instead, all of them had their moments, and Roderick and other coaches felt pressed to give Bachmeier first-team reps. Not all, but a significant number, more than a fair share.

Bachmeier, the younger brother of former Boise State, Louisiana Tech and Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier, displayed an impressive ability to digest Roderick’s complex offense. He makes solid reads, doesn’t take sacks and had a lot of completions.

And, more importantly in Roderick’s schemes, he has the ability to make the QB run a threat and gain yards when plays break down. He has decent speed, but his size at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds provides him with an extra tool to break tackles at the point of attack.

Meanwhile, Hillstead provides not only experience but sprinter speed. He can extend plays like Arizona’s Noah Fifita and has the arm to complete deep passes accurately. He is BYU’s best improviser to extend plays and gave BYU’s defense fits as the prep team QB.

Advertisement

Sources say Hillstead believes he was brought in to play and could help the Retzlaff departure situation. He has been in the program the longest and his maturity is valuable. Some liken it to several years ago when BYU kept an older and more mature Jaren Hall on a string while they propped up freshman Zach Wilson, who ultimately started over Hall en route to being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

There are plenty in Hillstead’s corner, including those who covered him at Utah State, former BYU offensive coordinator Brandon Doman and Alpha Recruits owner Will Snowden, the former Cougar and father of Ute cornerback Smith Snowden. Hillstead’s reputation among Utah prep experts is sterling and respected.

At this stage of fall camp, Roderick and the offensive coaches must keep all quarterbacks engaged and challenged in a competitive atmosphere where they believe they can start, lead and win. There’s always the draw of the transfer portal looming.

You let all QBs get their beaks wet. Give them a taste. That’s why many QB starters are not named until close to game week and the start of school. BYU begins fall classes Sept. 4.

Advertisement

The other thought, according to sources, is that Roderick could start Bachmeier in the season opener against Portland State but bring in Hillstead after the first or second quarter, then evaluate what they saw and revisit their decisions for the Stanford game the following week.

It would be easier to start Bachmeier and bring in Hillstead in relief if he stumbled badly. It would be a little tougher to start Hillstead, and if he stumbled, go to Bachmeier. That would be a lot of added pressure on the freshman. BYU saw this exact thing when freshman Jake Heaps replaced an older Riley Nelson.

The time has come to give the BYU starting QB 90% of the reps and prepare for the opener. Could this happen on Monday?

A big part of this QB dilemma is that all three candidates have faced perhaps the best defense they’ll see this season. Jay Hill’s side of the ball has been impressive. A great defense can retard the progression of an offense early, but can also become a strength because it eliminates a false sense of excellence.

Advertisement

Historically, BYU has not had a true freshman quarterback start a season opener, which makes the potential for Bachmeier to do so in 2025 a significant milestone.

While no true freshman has started the season opener, a few have played significant roles during their freshman seasons. In 2018, true freshman Wilson did not start the season but played in nine games, starting seven after taking over midseason.

He completed 120 of 182 passes (65.9%) for 1,578 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns as BYU finished 7-6, including a 49-18 win over Western Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Wilson threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns in that bowl game.

But remember, Wilson played an independent schedule in 2018, unlike the Big 12 slate that BYU’s new starter will face in 2025.

Advertisement

Max Hall, a redshirt freshman in 2007, started all 13 games for the Cougars but was not a true freshman. He threw for 3,848 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, leading BYU to a 10-2 regular season and 17-16 win over UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl.

It’s tough to see a true freshman rise up and lead a team to a double-digit season. It takes a tremendous talent, a lot of confidence and growth early and a good head.

It also requires a team to have an outstanding defense to absorb QB mistakes and overcome possible bad field positions. Luckily for whoever starts, BYU could have a better defense than the one that led the Big 12 last season.

A true freshman also needs an outstanding supporting cast, including an elite offensive line. It remains to be seen if BYU’s O-line fits that utility.

Advertisement

Here are four true freshmen who have started at the Power Four level in recent years. They succeeded because of all of the above factors. Their careers proved it in college and beyond.

Trevor Lawrence (Clemson, 2018)

Season results: Completed 259 of 397 passes (65.2%) for 3,280 yards, 30 touchdowns and four interceptions. Rushed for 177 yards and one touchdown. Led Clemson to a 15-0 record and the national championship, defeating Alabama 44-16.

Impact: Lawrence’s poise and arm talent made him an instant star, setting the stage for two more national title appearances and being the No. 1 overall NFL draft pick in 2021 just ahead of Wilson.

Advertisement

Jake Fromm (Georgia, 2017)

Season results: Completed 181 of 291 passes (62.2%) for 2,615 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Rushed for 55 yards and three touchdowns. Led Georgia to a 13-2 record, reaching the national championship game (lost to Alabama 26-23 in overtime).

Impact: Fromm stepped in after Jacob Eason’s injury and led Georgia to an SEC title and a near-national championship, showcasing remarkable poise.

Dylan Raiola (Nebraska, 2024)

Season results: As one of the only true freshmen to start Week 1 at a Power Four school in 2024, Raiola threw for 2,999 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading Nebraska to a 6-6 record and a bowl appearance.

Advertisement

Impact: Raiola, a five-star recruit, brought stability to Nebraska’s quarterback position and showed promise as a future star.

JT Daniels (USC, 2018)

Season Results: Completed 216 of 363 passes (59.5%) for 2,672 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Led USC to a 5-7 record, missing a bowl game.

Impact: Despite a losing season, Daniels showed flashes of brilliance, becoming the first true freshman to start a season opener for USC since 2001.

Could Bachmeier come in and complete 60% of his passes, approach 2,800 yards, deliver a dozen-plus touchdowns through the air and three or four on the ground with 300 or 400 yards rushing and have under 10 picks?

Advertisement

If he does that, it would be impressive. If he starts and BYU gets eight wins, that would be a success.

The success of true freshman quarterbacks is rare at the Power Four level due to the complexity of college offenses and the physical demands of the position.

If BYU starts Bachmeier, and it appears it will happen, it would be historic in Provo. He has a great starting ramp with Portland State and Stanford at home before going to East Carolina, then the Big 12 opener at Colorado.

Portland State is a great opener for a rookie. Stanford is rebuilding with a new staff and Bachmeier and his brother, receiver Tiger, fled that program to Provo.

This is an intriguing situation.

And a gutsy call for BYU coaches to make.