After months of sealed lips and no hints, the BYU coaching staff might have shown who the new frontrunner is for starting quarterback.
After Tuesday's practice, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick told the media that true freshman Bear Bachmeier "took the majority" of first-team reps. McCae Hillstead "got some as well."
Aaron Roderick says Bear Bachmeier took the majority of first team reps at quarterback for BYU today pic.twitter.com/WCjRu0tRzf
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) August 12, 2025
This was the first time since fall camp started two weeks ago that separation has been seen in the quarterback battle, with redshirt junior Treyson Bourguet seeming to now be out of the competition.
During Tuesday practice's media observation, Bachmeier had the most success of any quarterback, leading the team down the field for a red zone scoring opportunity, but failing to find the end zone. No other quarterback put together as successful a drive.
He had two eye-opening plays during the drive where he sat composed in the pocket and delivered a throw of 15-plus yards, including one perfectly placed ball to the outstretched arms of tight end Carsen Ryan. Bachmeier showed poise and a control of the game that doesn't come easy to freshmen.
Bear Bachmeier steps into the pocket and delivers a perfect ball to Carsen Ryan. pic.twitter.com/IIYVzo76uZ
— Casey Lundquist (@casey_lundquist) August 12, 2025
"He throws a lot of completions," Roderick said. "He doesn't take sacks and he's very accurate."
Bachmeier has great size, standing at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, and has more upside than Hillstead, who seems to be a "safe" choice, but doesn't produce as much excitement in the offense if he were to start.
Jeff Hansen of 247 Sports compared Bachmeier to a young Taysom Hill on BYUtv in June. "He's a little bit more athlete than quarterback right now," Hansen said.
"He's got the athleticism, he could be really good. BYU found ways to win with Taysom Hill back then, but he's got to develop those quarterback skills, he's got to get better as a passer before I think he is in contention to potentially be QB1," Hansen added.
Should Bachmeier get the nod for the Cougars' season opener against Portland State, he would be the first-ever true freshman to start at quarterback in a season-opener in school history.
If it was solely based off today's practice and comments from Roderick, then bet on Bachmeier being the guy week one, but there's still a long time before that decision is made.