FRISCO, Texas – BYU football went through the Big 12 Media Days experience inside The Star, the practice home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cougars are becoming veterans at Big 12 Media Day. It’s hard to believe, but BYU is entering its third year in the Power Four conference.
BYU brought head coach Kalani Sitake, along with five players, including preseason All-Big 12 wide receiver Chase Roberts.
Quarterback battle
The status of BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff was a big story in Frisco. During most of Kalani Sitake’s time on the main stage to open Big 12 Media Days, he was asked questions about BYU’s quarterback situation for the 2025 season.
He didn’t specifically comment on Retzlaff’s status with the team. But he did note he would let Retzlaff be the first to comment on the situation.
“I think right now, I mean, first of all, I love Jake Retzlaff. We love Jake Retzlaff and appreciate all that he’s done for our program,” said Sitake. “I think it’ll be inappropriate for me to make a statement on his situation first. I think that’s his right. I think it’s a private matter that he can speak for himself, and I’m going to give him the opportunity to do that.”
Retzlaff helped guide BYU to an 11-2 record last season and a victory in the Alamo Bowl.
Despite the reported departure of Retzlaff, Sitake remains confident in the quarterbacks he has in his program, less than a month before camp opens up.
Breaking down McCae Hillstead
Former Utah State transfer McCae Hillstead is entering his second year in the BYU program after transferring to Provo during the spring window in 2024.
“I think naturally, just being here a second year is going to be huge for him,” Sitake said to KSL Sports. “I know that being in that quarterback room was really helpful for him, and it helped him understand the concept. These schemes are not easy to understand.
“But I think he got an early start at it, understanding it a little bit more, without a lot of pressure, and now there’s pressure on him to perform. So it’s OK. He’s ready for this. He’s been waiting for this opportunity.”
Treyson Bourguet: Impressed with his desire to be with the BYU program
Treyson Bourguet is a Tucson, Arizona native, who BYU recruited out of high school, but ended up playing at Western Michigan.
After a few years in Kalamazoo, Bourguet entered the Transfer Portal after the 2023 season and joined the BYU football program as a preferred walk-on.
Then he received a scholarship from the BYU coaches.
“He quickly earned a scholarship,” Sitake said on Bourguet. “I think A-Rod (Aaron Roderick) was really impressed with him. He knew he wanted to be here, and I liked that about him. When he entered the portal, he was like, ‘Coach, this is where I want to go.’ We were kind of taken back because he had other offers.
“So the fact that he came here and bet on himself, he was able to earn a scholarship really quickly. Then the love from the team, he and McCae have done a great job being engulfed in the culture of the program. But they’ve bought into everything we’re about.”
Bear Bachmeier: Can throw the ball, along with running
Stanford transfer Bear Bachmeier enrolled at BYU in the summer. He committed to BYU during the spring transfer portal window.
Bachmeier has been labeled a dual-threat quarterback. When KSL Sports asked Sitake if Bachmeier was more than just an athlete, Sitake emphasized the former four-star recruit’s ability to pass the ball.
“Oh, he can throw,” Sitake said about Bachmeier. “These guys can all throw, but Bear can throw, too. He’s really smart.
“We’ve had experience already of having a true freshman play for us. So we’ve seen it all. We’ve had competitions with three players before. So the fact that we have three or four guys vying for a spot doesn’t change anything. We’ve done that already. So I feel good about where we’re at. I feel good about what A-Rod and Fesi (Sitake) and those guys can get done.”
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
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