BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff’s future in Provo is uncertain these days.
The 22-year-old was accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit filed last week, raising questions about his status on the Cougars’ football team.
With the case unlikely to be resolved before the football season begins, BYU may need to unilaterally decide whether to play or cut Retzlaff before the legal process plays out.
And as BYU mulls that decision, the coaching staff also must consider the possibility that a different quarterback will guide the Cougars this year.
Here are the options and merits of each Cougar backup.
McCae Hillstead
(Jaren Wilkey | BYU Athletics) Quarterback McCae Hillstead participates in BYU football practice in Provo, Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
The former Utah State quarterback feels like the most obvious choice to replace Retzlaff in the event BYU moves on from the senior.
Hillstead’s been in the quarterback room for over a year and had time to learn offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick’s playbook. He also has the most recent, significant starting experience in the room. As a freshman in Logan, he played in eight games and threw for over 1,000 yards. He could have been USU’s long-term future at the position, but when the Aggies brought in a transfer, Hillstead decided to leave.
From a style perspective, Hillstead fits Retzlaff’s mold. He’s mobile enough to give defenses the threat to run and can extend plays with his legs. He only ran for 36 yards at Utah State, but Hillstead broke away for several long runs in the Cougars’ spring camp.
Roderick’s offense typically works best with mobile quarterbacks. Jaren Hall, Zach Wilson and Retzlaff were all threats to run. Former starter Kedon Slovis sometimes struggled to pick up first downs with his legs and the offense ground to a halt. It wasn’t all his fault, as BYU couldn’t run the ball either, but mobility seems to be a strength for the scheme.
That said, Hillstead does have drawbacks. He is undersized for a Power Four quarterback, standing at 5-foot-10. He’s shown the ability to get the ball out on time, but it is not the prototypical mold for a Big 12 quarterback.
Treyson Bourguet
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU QB, Treyson Bourguet (10), at spring practice, on Thursday, Feb 27, 2025.
Bourguet also has experience and technically more than Hillstead. Bourguet transferred in from Western Michigan and played in 10 games overall (although he made only six appearances in 2023).
He threw for 1,300 yards and ran for 219. His journey to BYU was slightly unorthodox. When he hit the transfer portal, he wanted to go to BYU even without a scholarship. He isn’t a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and most of his family played at Arizona State (his brother was a quarterback there). But he felt Roderick’s offense was the right fit.
It’s seemingly paid off. He came in as walk-on last spring and played his way to a scholarship. He was third-string for 2024, but stayed on the roster even as cuts were made to the quarterback room.
His main skill, as he says, is being able to outlast everyone in the room. But he’s also confident he could win games if given the chance. He might not be a better runner than Hillstead, but wide receivers remarked he might throw the most catchable ball in the room (including Retzlaff) and has shown the propensity to move the offense.
Bourguet likely won’t be the favorite to win the job outright, but is a realistic option if Hillstead struggles. He’s outlasted other quarterbacks before, and he might finally get his shot.
Bear Bachmeier
Bachmeier was a heralded recruit out of high school with offers from Oregon, Georgia, Miami and others. He ultimately committed to Stanford but transferred to BYU after spring camp.
Bachmeier is the type of player who theoretically fits well with Roderick’s system. He’s mobile and has a live arm at 6-foot-2. BYU liked him out of high school and he essentially comes in as a true freshman.
There are obvious drawbacks to playing somebody so young. He’s never formally practiced with the Cougars and fall camp will be his first live reps. But the talent is intriguing.
In the event Retzlaff doesn’t play, BYU’s season would already be in significant jeopardy. And if the coaching staff doesn’t view Hillstead or Bourguet as long-term options, maybe it’d be worth it to roll out Bachmeier and let him grow at some point.
