After being named BYU's starting quarterback last Tuesday, true freshman Bear Bachmeier spoke to the media for the first time on Monday to give an update on his preparation for the 2025 season and his reaction to being named the Cougars' starter.
"It was thrilling, it was a great moment," Bachmeier said about being named the starting quarterback for BYU. "It was an incredible honor to represent such a profound university."
Bachmeier's road to becoming BYU's starter was more unique than maybe any other opening-game starter in Cougar history. In May, Bachmeier transferred to BYU with his wide receiver brother, Tiger, from Stanford after spring practice. In the same summer, returning starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff decided to transfer away from the program after reportedly facing a seven-game suspension for violating the school's honor code, leaving the starting spot up for grabs.
After all eyes were on BYU's quarterback battle between Bachmeier, McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet, Bachmeier became the first true freshman ever to start the season opener for BYU.
But even though he's just a freshman, Bachmeier has lofty goals for the Cougars in 2025.
"The expectation is to win a championship," Bachmeier said. "The individual expectation is we want to complete the ball, we want to put the ball in our playmakers hands and we want to go score touchdowns, but the end goal is to win the championship ... We have a great team and I think we're gonna go really far."
Bachmeier has been praised by offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick for his ability to "master" the playbook in such a short period of time. Bachmeier was asked how he was able to do that on Monday.
"It was a big testament to coach Mitchell (Matt Mitchell, assistant quarterbacks coach) and coach A-Rod (Aaron Roderick)," Bachmeier said. "I met with coach Mitchell almost every day ... so I think me learning the playbook, I give a lot of credit to coach Mitchell, because he taught me the whole playbook in a month, two months."
Bachmeier also noted the impact that former Cougar quarterback and current quarterback trainer John Beck had on his development.
"I started training with [Beck] in the 7th grade," Bachmeier said. "I don't want to nerd out, but we get into the weeds of biomechanics and trying to refine my kinematic sequence, and I actually called him last week about his process going into game days and what it is from Sunday to Friday night. He's been a great resource and I'm very grateful for him."
While the idea of having a true freshman quarterback is already exciting, the idea of a Thai-American, Catholic, No. 11 ranked high school quarterback who wears the No. 47 and is named Bear brings the Cougars' excitement to a whole new level. Bachmeier touched on his personality and of the field interests on Monday.
"I'm a pretty outgoing guy, I like playing guitar, I like having fun," Bachmeier said.
When describing his hobbies, Bachmeier took a jab at his brother, Tiger — something that always happens when one of the two are interviewed — claiming that he can beat him in a game of chess.
Bachmeier will start his first collegiate game on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m., when the Cougars host the Portland State Vikings at LaVell Edwards Stadium.