75 days until game one: What are the biggest questions marks for BYU football?

We are officially 75 days away from BYU football's first game of the 2025 season against the Portland State Vikings on Aug. 30.

After an offseason of shocking transfer portal departures, significant transfer portal additions, and holes on the roster that all of the sudden need to be filled, work still needs to be done if the Cougars want to get back into Big 12 title contention.

Let's take a look at some of the biggest question marks for BYU before its first game against the Vikings.

Who will start at quarterback?

The question on everyone's mind.

On May 21, a civil lawsuit was filed against starting BYU quarterback, Jake Retzlaff, claiming that the he sexually assaulted a woman in 2023.

With cases like these lasting well longer than the three months it would take for football season to come around, whether or not Retzlaff will be the Cougars' staring quarterback week one is a hot topic, and if he doesn't start, who will?

The two names that have garnered the most buzz are redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead and true freshman Bear Bachmeier. Treyson Bourget, a 2024 transfer from Western Michigan is a close third.

Hillstead took much of the QB2 reps in spring practice, and has spent a year in the Cougars' system, so he knows the offense well. He started four games for Utah State as a true freshman in 2023 after the Aggies' starting quarterback, Cooper Legas, got hurt, so while a small sample size, Hillstead does have some experience.

Bachmeier looks to be a guy that can start in the future, but might be too soon now. He was the No. 11 ranked quarterback in the high school class of 2025, and transferred to BYU after spring practice with Stanford. Athletically, the 6-foot-2, 225 pound freshman has the tools, but might not be equipped to quarterback a Big 12 offense just yet.

As Jeff Hansen put it during an interview with BYU Sports Nation on BYUtv, "[Bachmeier] is more athlete than quarterback at this point."

It is still a possibility that Retzlaff could line up under center on Aug 30, but no more statements have been made by the program since the university released one the day the civil lawsuit was filed.

Big 12 media days will be held on July 8 and 9, and the Retzlaff situation will surely be the biggest talking point regarding BYU football at the event.

Can the new look O-line and D-line mesh in year one?

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of the Cougars is just how new the offensive and defensive lines are. While both units have sprinkles of experience, they are vastly inexperienced compared to last year's groups.

The offensive line lost captain Connor Pay, first team All-Big 12 member Caleb Etienne, and Brayden Keim. This unit was a major improvement from 2023's performance, and was key to the offense's motor.

The team seems pretty confident in Isaiah Jatta to fill in for Etienne, and the addition of former national champion and Michigan Wolverine Andrew Gentry looks promising, but this unit has such little experience playing with each other. Offensive line isn't something you can plug and play with ease. A cohesive unit can take months, or in BYU's case of transformation from 2023 to 2024, a 5-7 season and new offensive line coach to build.

On the defensive side, nearly every piece is gone. First team All-Big 12 member Tyler Batty, Isaiah Bagnah, Blake Mangelson, and John Nelson. All gone. Logan Lutui is the one returner with significant experience on the D-line.

Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa is a major grab in the portal, possibly BYU's biggest offseason move, and adding Justin Kirkland from Oklahoma State was good insurance. Both of these players bolster the unit that will rely heavy on younger players like Hunter Clegg and Ephraim Asiata.

Just like the offensive line, D-line works as a unit. Plug and play is easier said than done. Fall camp will give us a good look at how the D-line is progressing.

Who is the wide receiver No. 2?

Last season, the Cougars had a good balance between its top two wide receivers Chase Roberts and Darius Lassiter, both amassing over 700 yards on the season. Now that Lassiter is gone, there is a gaping hole that will need to be filled.

Keelan Marion was slotted to fill that Lassiter hole, but a surprising transfer portal departure to Miami made the Cougars' WR2 need much more dire.

As far as returners go, JoJo Phillips and Parker Kingston are two names that could fill the slot. Phillips played in all 13 games last season and showed flashes, but only hauled in 10 receptions. Kingston is best known for his punt returns and roles in trick plays. He would need to take a big leap if he has any chance at being the Cougars' No. 2 in the pass game.

Photo by Jordan Burr

Tiger Bachmeier, brother of freshman quarterback Bear, is someone that could potentially take this spot. He transferred to BYU after two seasons at Stanford, and has shown some real upside in his career. In his freshman season, Bachmeier snagged 36 receptions for 409 yards, both of which were the most of any true freshman in the Pac 12. He also has had success as a punt and kickoff returner, so he could potentially return kickoffs after Marion's transfer left BYU dry at that position.

Reggie Frischknecht, another spring transfer addition, is someone that is getting a lot of hype from teammates and staff this offseason. Frischknecht shined is his lone season at Snow College, leading all JUCO players with 14 touchdown receptions, and logging 740 yards. He is the biggest dark horse of the offense and a name to watch once fall camp comes around.