FORT WORTH, Texas — The Davey O’Brien Foundation today announced BYU freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2025 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.
The Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. Bachmeier, the only true freshman to be named a semifinalist, joins a list of eight seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and two redshirt freshmen that have helped guide their respective teams to a combined record of 154-31 (.832) in 2025.
Finalists will again be chosen based on voting from the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee as well as bonus ballots awarded from the second round of the Davey O’Brien Fan Vote. To vote, fans must like the official graphic from the @daveyobrien social media account (Facebook, Instagram and X) that highlights their favorite quarterback. The second round will close Friday, Nov. 21, at 11:59 p.m. (CT).
The 6-2, 230-pounder from Murrieta, California, has helped lead BYU to an 8-1 record and a No. 12 ranking in the most recent 2025 College Football Playoff rankings. Bachmeier has completed 149-of-239 passes (62.3 percent) for 1,881 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025.
In addition, Bachmeier is second on the team in rushing, with 105 carries for 420 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and nine additional touchdowns. Bachmeier has six games this season with both a passing touchdown and rushing score. Against Portland State on Aug. 30, he became the first true freshman quarterback ever to start a season opener for BYU.
Last week, Bachmeier was named one of 14 semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award presented by the Maxwell Football Club. Before that he was named the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week for his performance in BYU’s win at Iowa State. Through nine games, Bachmeier has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week five times.
Three finalists for the Award will be named on Nov. 25, with the winner crowned Dec. 12 during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN. The 49th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Feb. 16, 2026, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas. For additional information visit daveyobrienaward.com.
The Davey O’Brien Foundation was created in 1977, and the National Quarterback Award was first presented in 1981 to BYU Hall of Fame quarterback Jim McMahon. Since the inaugural award, two other BYU signal callers have won the prestigious award, including Steve Young (1983) and Ty Detmer (1990 and 1991). Only Oklahoma, with five, has won more Davey O'Brien Awards than BYU. Detmer is one of only four players to have won the award more than once.
No. 12 BYU hosts TCU on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium with kickoff set for 8:15 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.