BYU holds first practice of 2025 fall camp

On the quarterback competition
“Theres competition all the time, we had a quarterback competition last year so this staff has been through competitions many times before. We’ll watch the film and obviously that will get eyes on the quarterback position.”

On if there's a pecking order at quarterback
“No, it's different when you have a veteran group just going with the one offensive line up front and allowing each quarterback time with that, it allows them to get some time to learn the protection. It’s hard going up against a really good defense, today was a great day for them. I’m really pleased with the way the guys have worked in the off season, but we have a lot of work to do.”

On if there’s a timeline for choosing a quarterback
“Yes, as soon as we can. I know we can wait until the first game but we’d like to get it sorted out as soon as we can. There’s no deadline with that decision, I’d like to see them go with the flow of the offense. We have a lot of things we need to get ready, we need to get our running backs, our offensive line, our tight ends, and our receivers, everybody cooking. So that's gonna have to be handled in the midst of everybody getting their part done.”

On the strengths of each quarterback
They all control the ball. That's a good strength for us. Let’s see what their best throws are and see what their decision making looks like. We want to put them in positions to have to make tough decisions. Going up against a good defense is gonna make this tough for them.”

On former quarterback Jake Retzlaff landing at Tulane
“I’m happy for him, I love Retzlaff and appreciate all that he’s done for us, we’ll be cheering for him and wish him the best of luck.”

On roster numbers being at or above 105
“We’re gonna be above that number within reason since we work with the Title IX office and athletic department on that. We want to make sure we are working within the guidelines set by those departments.”

On having a healthy LJ Martin this season
“Have you seen him? He looks great! He’s speaking more, he’s becoming more of a leader and he’s really comfortable in the offensive system. It’s great to watch him coaching the other guys. I’m really pleased with the way he has matured into a real leader.”

On how he’s changed in his time at BYU
“I’m still learning, and open to learning new ways to be a better coach and person. These players make it easy to do that.”

On initial impressions of Andrew Gentry
“He’s a stud. He’s a great leader and an amazing talent. It’s good to have him playing for us. It’s nice seeing a guy that big that can move like that. It’s gonna be fun to see him play with us at tackle.”

On how he feels about the defensive line
“I know we lost some guys but I feel like we’ve been able to get some bigger bodies on defense. They have some good coaches and the athletes have a lot of things they can improve over the next two weeks.”

How he plans on separating himself in the QB battle 
“All four of us in the quarterback room are trying to compete and win the starting job. The person who competes the hardest and gets the job by taking the easy completions, moving the ball, and scoring touchdowns. Whoever does that the best will be who’ll you see on Saturdays.” 

What he wants to show personally 
"I want to show that I’m more than capable of doing everything on the field whether that's running for ten yards, throwing for 15 yards on a play, or even taking an easy completion for five yards. Whatever it is, I will get the job done." 

The style of QB he identifies himself as 
"I’m just a quarterback. I’m going to go out there and sling the ball. If I have to run, I'm going to run. I’m going to pick up first downs and score some touchdowns."

His comfort level so far 
"This is the most comfortable and confident I’ve been in a system my whole career. Coming from freshman year of high school, I had a different offense every single year. Then going to Western Michigan for two years and having two different coaches. Then here last year, that's my third offense in college. So now that I finally have some continuity in my offense and get some time in with the receivers, I’m ready to put in the work." 

How do the QBs push each other to be better 
"We’re all really good friends on and off the field, in the classroom, the meeting room, whatever it is, we all get along, but we’re all competitors in drawing up plays on the whiteboard or watching film. It’s a good competition."

What he learned from Jake Retzlaff last year 
"I learned how to win football games. This is the first time I got to watch a QB win 11 football games which is hard to do, especially in the Big 12. He’s a competitor and can grit out some wins, make big throws, make some big-time runs, take some hits, and get right back up. Love Jake."

What does he want to focus on getting better at 
"I just want to continue to show that I’m worthy to play at this level in the BIG 12, one of the best conferences in the country. I can go out and compete with the best."

Why he was passionate about choosing BYU  
"I got the opportunity to go elsewhere in the portal. Coming from the Midwest in Michigan I had some really good moments but also some moments where I felt like I missed home where I could play in front of my family and loved ones. It was really hard for them to go out to Michigan every weekend to watch me play, so I wanted to go somewhere where I could feel the love and experience the family environment. I could have my family come and watch my games and visit home whenever I need to. We even play in Tucson this year so having the chance to play in front of my family is something I couldn’t turn down. So walk-on, scholarship, whatever it is, as long as I get my foot in the door, I’m going to make it work."

Has his mindset changed from battling for the backup in the Spring to now battling to be the starter 
"Not at all. You can ask anyone on the team or in my family, I’ve always been very confident in my abilities whether it was competing for a scholarship to now competing for the starting position. It's the same mindset every single day of wanting to go out there every day and do your best, not settling for average. You want to be the best at what you’re doing whether that's being the best at signaling, best at running third team offense, being the best at running first team offense. Whatever it is you want to be the best at it and that's what I strive to do."

On Similar Strengths between QBs
“Yeah I think we’re all capable of making every throw and we’re all capable of using our legs when needed. So I think it’s a great fit for [Aaron] Roderick’s offense.”

Whether he expected to compete right away
“Yeah, anytime you go to a school or enter a new environment, you want to play and you want to compete. Some circumstances came up that opened up an opportunity, and now I’ve just got to take advantage of it and do my best.”

On move from Stanford to BYU
“Yeah I think everything happens for a reason. I learned a lot, everything’s a process. I think I’m in a good spot and I’m really excited.”

How the offense fits his style
“Coach Mitchell and Coach Roderick really emphasize playing free and leaning into your strengths. That includes off-platform throws and using your legs when needed to go get a first down. It’s a great scheme and I think that’s part of why this program wins games.”

Earning trust as a true freshman
“I think leadership starts with your natural behavior. Having a command and a presence both on and off the field. Whether it’s in the weight room or in practice, you’ve got to show up and perform.”

On wearing number 47
“My dad and I used to joke around because I started as a running back and then switched to quarterback, but I just kept the number. Just takes you back to your primitive nature, you know.I also played middle linebacker up until eighth grade. I like the number. It kind of brings me back to my roots and that more physical side of football.”

On playing with his brother Tiger 
“It’s been great, the relationship that we have, he’s my brother. We live together, grown up together, and kind of did everything together. Now we’re reliving the glory days from high school to college, so I think it’s going to be really fun.”

Where the name “Bear” came from
“Tiger’s real name is James Floyd Bachmeier IV. That nickname came from my great-grandpa, James I, who was a fighter pilot and this deep, gravelly voice. He used to smoke unfiltered Camels and would always call my dad “Tiger” when he was little. My dad thought that was the coolest thing ever, so when he had me, he decided to give me a nickname too and went with Bear. He told me the best one had to be named Bear, so it stuck.”

 

 

How he is treating the QB competition
“I think, for me, just playing my game. I think that's the same for all the other guys. You can't try to be anybody else other than yourself, so put it all on tape, be your best self and try to go get it.”

On improvements from last year’s fall camp
“It was just getting reps and experience with the guys. Obviously, coming from a different offense at Utah State, we were RPO heavy. Not that we don't do that here, but it's just a little bit more pro style. Just figuring some of those things out getting versed in some of that stuff, and mastering the offense will be big for me.”

On mastering the playbook
“I don't think when I'm out there. I'd say that's where I'm at. I can get guys where they need to be going. I’d say I’m at full mastery, really.”

On his Utah State experience helping him in QB competition
“In a true freshman season, obviously you’ll learn a lot of good things and bad things. I had ups and downs over the course of that season, but I think learning the speed of college football is a big thing because it is different, for sure. Learning that, and then obviously learning from some of the mistakes that you make but then still going out there and playing your game when it comes down to it. That was a big thing to gain that confidence starting a few games up there.”

On making him and his teammates better
“Positivity between all the guys is big. We're all super positive with one another, because, like I said earlier, when it comes down to it, ultimately, you're competing against yourself. You’ve got to have things that you're working on personally. I think we're all super focused on how we can all improve. That’s pretty much what gets us rolling in the right direction.”

On combatting against being a shorter quarterback
“It's how I've been my whole life. There’s things that I've figured out, and I see it the way I see it. It doesn't slow me down because I can't just grow automatically. It's out of my control. I think figuring out the game how I have up to this point, all throughout high school, Utah State and now here. Just be confident with my ability, which I am, and just go out there and try to win.

What he learned from Jake Retzlaff last season
“Something about Jake, you know, that I touched on is just, you know, willingness to win. Jake was super competitive. And I thought that was super cool. Obviously, never fall for doing a two minute situation, because you just wanted to win. I think sometimes you can get distracted with, how can I manage this, how can I manage that? But ultimately, the goal is just okay, how can we win here? How can we get it done? And that was something that I thought was really cool, that Jake had."