You want to know who BYU will start at quarterback or who BYU should start?
Just a few days into camp, it’s no surprise that coaches are answering that question with all the clarity of a dust storm. They’re saying stuff like, “We need more time. … We’re giving equal reps to three guys. … You know who the three are. … They’re doing a good job. … It’s too soon to, you know, try to measure any separation or anything like that. … We need to give everybody more opportunities before we start to try to make any kind of decision. … We’ve been through this before, we’ll do it again. … There’s no deadline, but the sooner the better. … You have to let it play out a little bit, too. … If you rush it, you can create some other issues. …We need to let them compete for a little while to gather enough information to make a good decision.”
Aaron Roderick, a bright man, said all of the above the other day, giving no authentic effort in the attempt to blow the dust off the practice field, at least not to any of the nosy reporters who, like hatchlings bunched in a nest, wanted every scrap of feed they could coax out of the mother bird offensive coordinator.
Roderick did a fantastic job of giving everyone within shouting distance not just nothing, but the full impression that he has no clue how the story will play out.
(Jaren Wilkey | BYU) Cougars quarterback Treyson Bourguet runs with the ball during fall camp in Provo, Aug. 2, 2025.
We get it. Roderick wants to appear clueless — in the name of discretion, in the name of fairness, in the name of study, hard work and open competition. He already knows which way he’s leaning. He knows the most likely scenario. He’s not absolutely sure about his quarterbacks in the same way, based on his limited clinical science background, he’s not sure the Earth is round or that the continents are floating via plate tectonics. He knows, but he doesn’t know, and so he can claim ignorance with no guilt.
But it was associate head coach and defensive coordinator Jay Hill who, after the same recent practice, gave some insight as to who the Cougars’ QB1 should be. He was asked what he looks for in a recruit.
His answer: “I look for ceiling, what is the ceiling that we can get that guy to. And then our job is to get him there. … It’s our job to put [athletes] to where they can be efficient.”
Efficient is the perfect word for desired quarterback play.
Who among the quarterbacks then has the highest ceiling? Is it Treyson Bourguet, McCae Hillstead or Bear Bachmeier? Some say Hillstead has the advantage of experience, despite his diminutive stature. Some insist that Bourguet is a leader. Some say freshman Bachmeier, at 6-2, 225 pounds, has the howitzer, the size, the physical tools and the big brain — “He’s smart,” Roderick said — to be the guy.
(Jaren Wilkey | BYU) Cougars quarterback McCae Hillstead throws a pass during fall camp in Provo, Aug. 2, 2025.
It is Bachmeier who is said to have the highest ceiling.
Using Hill’s logic, it is Bachmeier then who should be the center of BYU’s focus. Using Hill’s logic, it’s up to Roderick and other coaches to get the kid ready to play. If he’s strong, athletic, sharp of mind, a quick study, then cram the playbook down his throat over the next month and turn him loose. Roderick said in so many words that Bachmeier already knows many of the ins and outs of the offense, he just needs to get acquainted with and acclimated to his teammates.
If that’s the case, then give him as many reps with the ones and twos as possible, as soon as possible. Don’t fiddle-faddle around with sharing equal reps, spreading them around to satisfy or waste days and plays with objectivity. Nah, time is of the essence. Feed the beast and turn him loose. And live with what comes next, come what may.
Yeah, I know, easy to say when your butt’s not the one in the sling.
Ironically enough, while it’s left to Roderick and Kalani Sitake to make the ultimate call, it’s the team that will actually decide who will — or should — start. The players are the ones who know who is best, after teaming with him on offense or throwing up resistance against him, throughout the month. Jake Retzlaff has pretty much been all but gone since May. BYU’s players have given the matter plenty of thought. They’re well aware of who has the top physical and mental skills, who provides the required confidence and leadership. Anybody think BYU’s receivers aren’t already at least halfway down the road to a conclusion about the guys spinning them the ball?
If it’s a fact nobody really has a clue, that the matter remains a tossup, that’s not good news for the Cougars. What’s the old cliche about quarterbacks? If you’ve got three, you’ve got none.
Which is it then for BYU … none or one?
There are whispers that Hillstead, despite his height challenges at 5-foot-9, has favored status — a live arm, quick feet, acumen to spare. BYU can spread out the attack to help Hillstead avoid bouncing passes off the back of the helmets of his protectors up front who stand … what, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7? Those in his camp would say a short dude has no need for a high ceiling.
Maybe I’m selling Hillstead short, but for my money, give me the high ceiling and the quarterback to properly fill the space under it. If the Amish can raise a barn in a single day, BYU should be able to raise a gifted QB through fall practices. It’s the coach’s job to get him there. It’s the coach’s job to accurately measure the ceiling’s height.
I’ve got nothing against short people. Unless a short person is the quarterback I’m counting on to beat Big 12 teams. In that case, raise the ceiling and the roof as high as the durn thing can go.