Sophomore quarterback for BYU. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
6′2″ · 230 lb · Murrieta, CA
CFB Index
A single number blending on-field production (an EPA-based value lane) with box-score output for this player's position.
0-100, scaled within each position's own cohort — not directly comparable across positions.
On production he ranks #27 of 146 QBs; on reputation he is a projected national-award finalist. The gap between those two numbers is the story.
The numbers
passing yards · 2026
6 TD · 0 INT · 9 per attempt
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 217 pass yds, 3 TD, 37 rush yds, vs Arizona
The play that turned itSwung BYU from 24% to 81% to win.BYU at Arizona · 33-27
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
2 quarterback for BYU. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
Aura™ · Him Watch
+14aura tax
71st pctl our passing-value metric (wEPA) QBs · 160 qualified, n=240
— the discourse is fair.Buzz vs Tape
His own fans read him warmer than the wider college football conversation does — a gap of 40.8 points in belief.
The BYU Cougars claim the spotlight as Big 12 favorites, with sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier and dynamic running back LJ Martin poised to lead one of college football’s most compelling teams into the upcoming season. After…
Also worth knowing:
“Bear Bachmeier wins the natty with a gazillion passing yards and a million rushing yards.”
Fan claims · every quote verified verbatim
Fans are debating Bear Bachmeier's throwing abilities, with some insisting he can throw effectively while others remain skeptical about his passing game.
Based on 2 comments across 1 thread · Aug 1, 2026
Bear Bachmeier
Pushes it downfield on every look. Bear Bachmeier arrived at BYU from Stanford. His first career honor landed in 2025: Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. The receipt on tape: 217 pass yds, 37 rush yds against Arizona, Week 2, 2026.
415 PASS YDS · 6 PASS TD · 67 RUSH YDS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
His career
He was winning awards before he was old enough to be a story.
Career arc
Trophy case · Confirmed honors
What the selectors said
FRESHMAN HONORS
Freshman recognition (2025)
7 mention(s)
Season context · Team result + system
2 seasons under Kalani Sitake — 14-2 over that span.
Where this profile ranks vs the QB cohort
Box-score percentiles
Elite: yards / att (92nd percentile). Strength: interceptions (92nd percentile). Concern: pass yards (0th percentile).
Percentiles versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score rates.
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 208 YDS/g, 3.0 TD/g, 9.1 YPA, 0.0 INT/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Kalani Sitake
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Player standing · 2026
Our Heisman model has him in the top five; no finalist honor is on the books yet.
Recognition
2026 outlook
Heisman market1.0%full market ›
In the mix for All-Big 12
Based on 2025: #4 of 17 Big 12 QBs
35% estimated, 95% confidence interval 31–38%. Base rate measured from players who finished at a comparable rank in their conference and came back the next season. It is an estimate from a small sample, not a forecast of this player.
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2026
W 28–17
vs Arizona
Signature plays · top plays by |EPA|
The plays that mattered most
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | CMP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | YPA | QBR | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 63-7vs Utah Tech | 16/20 | 198 | 3 | 0 | 9.9 | — | 3 TD passes |
| Wk 2 | W 28-17vs Arizona | 16/26 | 217 | 3 | 0 | 8.3 | 90.7 | Season-high 217 yds |
| Total | 32/46 | 415 | 6 | 0 | 9.1 | 90.7 |
Play style
Elite arm talent, pushing downfield. Completion rate is the variable.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
BYU
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Quarterback · BYU
Returning around him
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
BYU · Last season: 12-2 (AP #12) · Talent rank #59 · 2026 recruiting class #21
Player DNA
Elite arm talent, pushing downfield. Completion rate is the variable.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Anthony Brown’s 2021 season.
Matches Anthony on
Differs from Anthony on
Through 2 college seasons, his career arc tracks closest to Bailey Zappe’s path through Western Kentucky.
Matches Bailey on
As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Mason Heintschel's freshman season at Pittsburgh (2025).
Matches Mason on
Differs from Mason on
Player DNA
Heisman futures · sportsbook market
#20 in market ▲ from #21 · 6 books
Heisman Trajectory · 2026
Peaked at #2 — top-tier Heisman contention all season.