PHILADELPHIA — BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier was today named to the mid-season watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award by the Maxwell Football Club.
Now in its eighth year, the award is presented annually to the outstanding freshman in college football, recognizing his exceptional performance and significant impact on his team throughout the season.
Through five games, Bachmeier has completed 79 of 115 passes (67.7 percent) for 1,048 yards and seven touchdowns with just one interception, leading No. 18-ranked BYU to a 5-0 record. The true freshman is averaging 209.6 yards per game passing, with an efficiency rating of 163.6. In addition, Bachmeier is second on the team in rushing, with 49 carries for 206 yards (4.2 yards average) and an additional five touchdowns.
Earlier in the week, Bachmeier was named Big 12 Freshman of the Week for the second straight week, and the third time this season. On Aug. 30 against Portland State, Bachmeier became the first true freshman quarterback ever to start a season opener for BYU.
Bachmeier was a four-star high school recruit by Rivals and was ranked as high as the No. 11 quarterback in the nation by ESPN. While at Murrieta Valley High School, he totaled 6,810 passing yards to go with 59 touchdowns, 1,724 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. Bachmeier earned four varsity letters in football, alongside lettering in both baseball and basketball.
After enrolling at Stanford for 2025 spring football practices, Bachmeier transferred to BYU this summer along with his brother, Tiger, who played two seasons for the Cardinal.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award is named in honor of the former standout at the University of Alabama who later became the 2005 NFL MVP with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also very involved in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism and leadership.
This week BYU football will travel to Tucson, Arizona, to take on the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Oct. 11. The game in Arizona Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST (6 p.m. MDT) and will be broadcast on ESPN2 with Mike Couzens, Kirk Morrison and Dawn Davenport on the call.