The unexpected departure of starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff from the BYU football program, triggered by an Honor Code violation and a civil lawsuit (which was later dismissed with prejudice), leaves a significant void for the Cougars just weeks before the 2025 season. However, this situation also presents an opportunity for other quarterbacks on the roster to step up.

While Retzlaff was the incumbent, his on-field performance in 2024 was often inconsistent. His ESPN QBR of 57.1 for the non-conference portion of the season placed him near the bottom of Big 12 starting quarterbacks. This metric suggests that despite some "big-time throws," his overall decision-making and efficiency were often below average, leading to concerns about turnovers and consistency.

With Retzlaff now out of the picture, the quarterback competition for BYU's offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick is wide open. The primary contenders, all of whom have the potential to be more consistent or offer a higher ceiling than Retzlaff's 2024 performance, are:

McCae Hillstead: A transfer from Utah State, Hillstead brings some prior FBS game experience. He showcased flashes of his talent in 2023, throwing for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in limited action for the Aggies. Hillstead is known for his mobility and ability to extend plays, which could be a strong asset in Roderick's offense. Some analysts believe he has the "best deep ball" among the remaining QBs.

Treyson Bourguet: Another transfer, Bourguet comes from Western Michigan, where he started eight games over two seasons, throwing for over 1,300 yards. He possesses solid arm talent and has been in BYU's system longer than true freshman Bear Bachmeier, giving him an advantage in terms of playbook familiarity.

Bear Bachmeier: The true freshman is arguably the most intriguing prospect. A former four-star recruit who initially enrolled at Stanford, Bachmeier has elite raw talent, a strong arm, and dual-threat capabilities. While he lacks college experience and has only been with the program for a short time, his high ceiling and physical tools make him a compelling option. He reportedly competed for the starting job at Stanford in spring camp, indicating his readiness to push for playing time. Some experts believe he has the highest ceiling of the group and could ultimately be the best quarterback on the roster.

BYU's immediate challenge is managing the lack of depth, as they are down to four quarterbacks, including two true freshmen. However, the unexpected change forces them to give extensive looks to players who might otherwise have been backups. This could lead to one of these younger, talented quarterbacks seizing the opportunity and potentially providing more consistent and higher-level play for the Cougars in 2025 than Retzlaff demonstrated in 2024. The long-term future still looks bright with 5-star Ryder Lyons committed for 2027 after his mission.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.

FanDuel
Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOBig12?sid=YouTube

Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drakectoll
Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LOBig12