Up until Wednesday, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake had yet to name his starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
Sitake found himself in an unusual situation after losing Jake Retzlaff, last year’s starter. Retzlaff transferred to Tulane, officially withdrawing from BYU on July 11. He had been facing a seven-game suspension for violating the school’s honor code.
"We feel good about the talent that we have," Sitake said earlier in the week, per KUTV’s John Marshall. "We have to let them battle it out and see what happens. If you're going to play quarterback at this level, you have to be a leader already. They're all natural leaders."
On Wednesday, Sitake finally made his decision, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
"BYU is naming true freshman Bear Bachmeier as the team’s starting quarterback, with his debut coming against Portland State on Aug. 30. Bachmeier, who will wear No. 47, will become the first true freshman to start an opener for BYU," Thamel reported.
Bachmeier, from Murrieta, California, was a three-star prospect and ranked as the No. 34 quarterback in the country, according to 247Sports. He originally committed to Stanford in December before transferring to BYU in May.
The Cougars are coming off one of their best seasons, finishing 11-2 and narrowly missing the Big 12 title game. Much of that success came from Retzlaff, who finished seventh in the conference in passing yards (2,947) and eighth in touchdowns (20). Replacing him will be no easy task, especially for a 19-year-old true freshman making his first collegiate start.
In high school, as a true dual-threat, Bachmeier threw for 6,810 yards and 59 touchdowns while adding 1,724 rushing yards and 33 scores.
Whether it’s his unusual jersey number or the circumstances of stepping into the role on short notice, BYU will be one of the most intriguing teams to watch at the quarterback position this season.