Major College Football Program Set to Make History by Starting True Freshman QB in 2025

Aug 19, 2025 11:50 AM EDT

The BYU Cougars made a seismic declaration that signals the dawn of a new era, officially naming Bear Bachmeier its starting quarterback against the Portland State Vikings on Aug. 30.

It marks the first time in program history a true freshman will start a season opener, per reporting from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, placing Bachmeier squarely into the national spotlight before he has even taken a collegiate snap.

Bachmeier, who will wear an unusual jersey number (47) for a quarterback, steps into a prominent role for a Cougars program that went 11-2 last season and routed the Colorado Buffaloes 36-14 in the Alamo Bowl.

His rapid rise follows a spring stint at Stanford, positioning the youngster as a face of both the present and the future in Provo, Utah.

Bachmeier Wins Job After Rapid Rise and Spring Transfer

The newcomer earned the starting nod over redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead, a Utah State Aggies transfer, and redshirt junior Treyson Bourguet, who arrived from the Western Michigan Broncos ahead of the 2024 season.

Bachmeier only joined Brigham Young University in May after spending spring practice at Stanford, the Cougars’ Week 2 opponent.

Coaches were impressed by Bachmeier’s blend of poise, quick decision-making and toughness throughout preseason camp. His connection with junior wide receiver Tiger Bachmeier, his brother and fellow Stanford transfer, also proved a talking point internally as the Cougars look to install cohesion in a revamped passing game.

That duo figures heavily into the offensive plan overseen by head coach Kalani Sitake as BYU seeks to reload rather than rebuild.

Historic First Starts New Chapter for BYU Quarterback Legacy

Bachmeier’s debut continues a rich legacy in Provo, where previous QB standouts such as Ty Detmer, Jim McMahon and Steve Young became program icons before launching successful careers in the NFL.

Unlike those names, Bachmeier will be tasked with leading from Day 1, a unique challenge amplified by considerable expectations. The Cougars averaged 31.3 points per game last season, thanks to a veteran offensive line and an explosive skill group; yet, they must integrate a new quarterback while maintaining the efficiency that earned them a top-15 finish a year ago.

BYU Cougars coach Kalani Sitake will have true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier starting under center in Week 1 against Portland State. — Source: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Week 1 opponent Portland State, an FCS opponent out of the Big Sky Conference, went 3-8 last season and allowed 40.1 points per outing, creating an opportunity for Bachmeier to settle in before a more daunting early September clash with his former Stanford teammates and ranked opponents like the Iowa State Cyclones and Texas Tech Red Raiders later in the season.

Whether the freshman sensation can translate offseason momentum into sustained production remains to be seen, but his quick ascension underscores a potential shift in recruiting and roster-building at BYU toward attracting and deploying younger prospects.