Bear Bachmeier feeling no pressure with high expectations for BYU

FRISCO, Texas — A promising freshman campaign from 2025 is leading to lofty expectations for the Cougar quarterback heading into fall camp, and he’s welcoming everything that comes with the territory.

Bear Bachmeier did the unthinkable last season, after emerging from the shadows, diving into the starting lineup and leading BYU to 12 wins, including an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game. Although he performed like a wide-eyed underclassman early on, Bachmeier ended the year a seasoned veteran.

There’s no denying that Bachmeier won’t be sneaking up on anybody this time around, after garnering Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors. However, the sophomore signal-caller understands success brings attention, and Coach Kalani Sitake will be fielding a team full of experience, production and leadership.

The Cougars will likely be entering the season as a top-10 team, and one of the favorites to win the Big 12. All eyes will be on Bachmeier, but he isn’t afraid of the spotlight, knowing he wouldn’t be receiving the national recognition without the teammates around him.

“It just kind of goes back to how I was raised, and the characteristics that my parents instilled in me with being calm under pressure, and commanding presence,” Bachmeier said. “I thought I did a good job stepping in, but I had a lot of help from a great defense, and a great supporting cast on offense.”

Bachmeier has a similar skill set to Florida Heisman winner Tim Tebow, with the way he uses his 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame as a battering ram to move the chains. The Californian bulked up to be more durable this off-season. Not to mention Bachmeier attended the Manning Passing Academy to enhance his leadership, and improve his accuracy after he finished 46th nationally in completion percentage.

“I just learned a lot, being a leader and being a commanding presence,” he said. “When some guy is a knucklehead, there’s different ways to approach, and help them out, so it was a fun experience.”

The former three-star prospect put together 300-yard passing performances against Iowa State, Cincinnati and Georgia Tech, so the potential is there for Bachmeier to mold into a dangerous gunslinger. BYU’s offense consists of pounding the ball, which often times opens up the play-action pass to an open target downfield.

What Sitake is instilling in Bachmeier is the fact that he doesn’t have to be the hero on every down. With a veteran offensive line, and a 1,000-yard rusher in LJ Martin in the backfield, Bachmeier can utilize the weapons around him.

“Bear doesn’t have to do it by himself, he can rely on his teammates and the other phases of the program to help him,” Sitake said. “I think the goal for him is to manage his role as a quarterback, and he doesn’t have to be the answer for everything.”

There’s a huge buzz surrounding this year’s Cougar squad, and the next step for them is making their first-ever berth in the Playoffs. Winning 12 games wasn’t enough in the eyes of the Committee, so BYU will likely have a slimmer margin for error. Bachmeier will have some weight on his shoulders to get the team to the finish line, which will include a Big 12 Title.

He’ll need to physically and mentally prepare for every game, and navigate the Cougars through the Big 12 gauntlet with a bullseye on his back. Being the big man on campus isn’t easy, but in Bachmeier’s mind pressure creates diamonds. Regardless of the matter, Bachmeier is enjoying life, and taking it all one day at a time.

He spent the Fourth of July in Minnesota with family, and cherished his time away from the football field. After all, it’s going to be all work, and no play once fall camp starts, and Bachmeier knows he needs to have a voice in the huddle and locker room.

Bachmeier is ready to lay it all on the line for Sitake, and can’t imagine himself playing for anyone but him. A big way to show his appreciation for Sitake is producing victories, and Bachmeier is eager to prove last season wasn’t a fluke.

“He (Sitake) has instilled such a great culture, and brand for the team, so I love being in the locker room around the guys, and being at BYU.”