Bear Bachmeier named BYU’s first-ever true freshman to start a season as QB1

Bear Bachmeier Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo

BYU will be making history this fall with the announcement of its new starting quarterback for the upcoming 2025 season.

The Cougars have named Bear Bachmeier as QB1, making him the first true freshman in school history to start a season opener.

The news was first reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel on X, setting Cougar Nation buzzing with anticipation until the team made it official later the same day. BYU confirmed the decision with a unique announcement – an AI-generated video of a bear sporting the royal blue No. 47 jersey, voiced over by Bachmeier himself.

“What’s up Cougar Nation, this is QB1 Bear Bachmeier,” he said in the video. “Excited to get this season going.”

The former 4-star recruit becomes just the eighth freshman quarterback to start a game for BYU, the first since Zach Wilson in 2018.

Bachmeier originally arrived in Provo expected to back up established senior Jake Retzlaff, who transferred to Tulane earlier this summer. Retzlaff’s departure started a three-man race for the starting quarterback position. 

During training camp, Bachmeier did nearly everything right. He quickly learned the playbook and dominated on the field – and he did it with only 15 practices with the BYU squad under his belt.

“He throws a lot of completions,” said offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. “He’s done a great job at camp taking care of the football and he’s thrown the fewest interceptions of all the guys.”

Not only is the 19-year-old efficient, he’s leading the offense in a way true freshmen don’t usually do.

“He makes a lot of explosive plays through a bunch of touchdown passes and just has done a good job leading our team,” Roderick said. “He’s very mature. Our players gravitate to him. He’s a good leader, and it's rare to see a freshman who can lead a team the way he does every day.”

Why No. 47?

In addition to his rapid rise, Bachemeier’s decision to suit up in No. 47 is a storyline of its own.

Quarterbacks almost always wear numbers between 1-19, but Bachmeier explained that his choice to rock 47 reminds him of his earlier days on the football field. 

“I used to play running back when I was younger, when I started playing football,” Bachmeier said earlier in the month. “When I made the transition to quarterback, I just kept the number. I continued to play middle linebacker up until eighth grade. It kind of brings you back to your primitive nature when you’re playing.”

Bachmeier isn’t the only one with a unique number. Other prominent college QB’s have worn unconventional numbers in the past. Players like Ohio State’s Devin Brown wore 33 and Heisman Trophy winner Dough Flutie wore 22 at Boston College.

Sitake’s Seal of Approval

For BYU Head coach Kilani Sitake, naming a true freshman as the starter wasn’t a gamble, it was a recognition of something rare.

“I think he’s a special player,” Sitake said. “I think he’s very intelligent, he’s got great football IQ. Looking at the overall part of camp and seeing every variable that went into the decision making process, we feel really good about it.”

Bear Bachmeier’s first start as BYU’s quarterback will be against Portland State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on August 30th – a historic opener for both him and the BYU football program. 

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