Bear Bachmeier will succeed Jake Retzlaff at quarterback and make BYU football history as first true freshman to start season opener in 2025

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.

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.

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

It’s so close we can taste the CougarTails already. BYU wrapped up fall camp on Tuesday and will officially turn it’s attention to game prep on Thursday. We at

The EA Sports College Football 2026 video game is out. We will spare you the actual reviews of the game itself, as that is not our forte. This is about BYU football and what might happen during the 2025 season.

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.