PROVO — BYU’s quarterback competition has a clear frontrunner, with Bear Bachmeier emerging as the leading candidate in a two-man race against McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet as camp progresses.
From the start of training camp two weeks ago, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has given Bachmeier every opportunity to prove himself, noting that the freshman would be tested against the program’s veterans. Bachmeier has quickly picked up the offense, a compliment Roderick has repeated as evidence of the young QB’s football IQ.
Two weeks into practice, Bachmeier is taking the majority of reps with the first-team offense, while Hillstead is in the mix and rotating in. The coaches have not yet named a starter for the Aug. 30 opener against Portland State, but Bachmeier appears to be the leading option and could solidify his position in the next two weeks.
“He throws a lot of completions,” Roderick said after Tuesday’s practice. “That’s one thing, he doesn’t take sacks and he’s very accurate.”
The plan, as initially laid out, was to have Bachmeier learn Roderick’s system behind incumbent Jake Retzlaff and assume the role in 2026. That plan changed quickly after Retzlaff’s publicized honor-code issues and subsequent departure from the program, forcing BYU to adapt to the strong possibility of starting an inexperienced quarterback.
Hillstead and Bourguet, both transfer students from other programs, have not yet appeared in a BYU game. Bachmeier, by comparison, has three years of starting experience at Murrieta Valley High in California, though his college resume began with a stop at Stanford, where he joined after an outstanding high school career.
Roderick and head coach Kalani Sitake have emphasized that the choice will come from the competition itself. Sitake remarked that the process is driven by performance on the field and that the coaching staff will place each quarterback in a position to win the job.
Bachmeier’s trajectory includes a knee injury that sidelined him for eight games in his senior year, but he returned to lead Murrieta Valley to the Division 2 title game and earned four-star status with offers from programs such as Alabama, Michigan and Notre Dame. He chose Stanford, joining Troy Taylor’s staff, before transferring to BYU following Taylor’s dismissal in March amid investigations into staff treatment.
Tiger Bachmeier, Bear’s brother, noted that BYU’s decision will come down to who performs best in camp, regardless of class designation. “It’s not like we were a package deal, but it worked out that way,” he said, adding that coaches have made it clear they’ll pick the quarterback who earns it.
The Bachmeier family has a strong football pedigree. Their older brother, Hank, quarterbacked at Boise State before transferring to Louisiana Tech and Wake Forest, while their youngest brother, Buck, is just a high school freshman. Tiger added that teammates trust the coaches’ judgment to select the best quarterback for the job.
What to watch as the competition unfolds: how quickly Bachmeier can translate early camp success into game-ready execution, how Hillstead and Bourguet respond when reps shift in and out, and how BYU’s offense adapts to a quarterback competition that could redefine the start of the 2024 season.
Summary: BYU’s two-way quarterback race is narrowing to Bear Bachmeier, who has impressed coaches with his accuracy and quick grasp of the playbook, ahead of a potential season-opening starter against Portland State. Hillstead and Bourguet remain viable contenders, and the next two weeks will be crucial in determining the official starter.
Notes for publication
– The story highlights BYU’s adjustment after Retzlaff’s departure and the decision to test an inexperienced QB in a high-stakes opener.
– The family background and quotes from Tiger Bachmeier help provide context on the QB’s readiness and support system.
– A positive spin emphasizes BYU’s depth and the coaching staff’s approach to player development and competition.