BYU football's offseason has been stuffed full of speculation and hypotheticals. It's been dizzying. Since Jake Retzlaff's departure ruptured the status quo of Aaron Roderick's offense, the anxiously awaiting backups have all three pounced into the spotlight. Jostling, nudging, and elbowing for any bit of leverage they can find, BYU's trio of candidates all took a swing at the starting job.
Now, after a long waiting period, the mist is falling out of view as the quarterback battle draws near to its finale.
By all indicators, the starting quarterback is due to be named in the very near future. The suspected finalist? A freshman transfer by the name of Bear Bachmeier.
NEW: Stanford transfer Bear Bachmeier is trending to become BYU's starting quarterback, @PeteNakos_ reports👀
— On3 (@On3sports) August 15, 2025
Intel: https://t.co/EJ7hAvEnOp pic.twitter.com/BjgGEMY09u
Bear, a heavily recruited quarterback who originally opted to join his brother, Tiger, with the Stanford Cardinal, evacuated the program as the Cardinal faced an off-season coaching shakeup. Both Bachmeier brothers were tossed from the tree, and both made their way eastward to Provo, Utah.
In the early days of Who Wants to Be a QB1?, show host OC Aaron Roderick was faced with a befuddling three-headed monster of a decision. Run with experience in Treyson Bourguet? Take a flyer on a fascinating prospect in McCae Hillstead?
In the end, it seems he's gone with the high-risk, high-reward option in a dual-threat freshman who strikes just as much fear through the air as he does on the ground -- a modern-day Trogdor the Burninator wearing football pads.
You've likely noticed his unorthodox choice in jersey number: 47. Likely the only time you've seen a QB don that number, seeing him in the backfield tossing slants and handing off the football may be a confusing viewing experience for the first few weeks of the year. Stirring up memories of Devin Gardner or even Doug Flutie, who wore 98 and 22, respectively during their collegiate careers.
Well, when Bear tucks and runs, he's not a typical quarterback. He won't slide, dip, or dive away from contact -- he initiates it. Taysom Hill-esque in the way he's willing to drop his shoulder and inflict pain on the defense, Bachmeier's number is a warning to his adversaries. It's for their safety, not his own.
Decisive and precise through the air during practice sessions, while keeping the pass rush on its toes with the constant threat of liftoff, Bachmeier's presence under center won't be without its growing pains, but there is a reason why he's been elevated on the platform of public opinion. The people are clamoring for Bear, and it seems that's what they're getting.
As is the case with 99% of all freshman quarterbacks, Bear's debut season will not be flawless -- not by a long shot -- but let's hope for fireworks.