With the most rushing touchdowns of any BYU freshman quarterback and 2,708 passing yards, Michael “Bear” Bachmeier (’29) made an impressive mark in his debut season. That’s to say nothing of his whirl- wind introduction to the team as he mastered the entire BYU playbook in under two months during summer practices before taking the field as starting quarterback.
And yet, when he’s not dragging defensive linemen into the end zone or being named Big 12 Rookie of the Week (which happened seven times in 2025), Bachmeier’s just an ordinary guy adjusting to high expectations in a new place.
“It’s actually been a great transition,” he says. As a Catholic student attending a school sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he’s had to navigate not only the college football scene but also a unique religious culture. Judging by the number of babies and toddlers clad in fuzzy bear onesies at football games over the last season, it’s clear that Bachmeier has rallied a loyal following. “Everybody’s just very welcoming and just great.”
Bachmeier has paid that Cougar Nation welcome forward, from visiting BYU fans in the hospital with the football team to coaching a women’s intramural flag football team. He was even seen playing guitar and singing at a retirement community in Provo with his brother James “Tiger” Bachmeier (’27), a BYU wide receiver. “We just want to be able to help people out,” Tiger told the Deseret News.
It’s actually been a great transition. Everybody’s just very welcoming and just great.
Bear Bachmeier
Some players might find it hard to get limited playing time while a younger brother rises to stardom, but Tiger couldn’t be more thrilled. “I am super stoked for him, and his success,” he told the Deseret News “He’s doing great, and I am having a lot of fun with it.”
The rest of the Bachmeier family feels the same. “It’s been awesome having their support and it just makes me proud to see them proud of me,” says Bachmeier. When he and Tiger made the decision to attend BYU, he says his family gave them some advice: “Work hard and follow your dreams.”
If this season is what results when a Bachmeier works hard and follows dreams, BYU football fans can expect exciting years ahead—both on the field and around Provo, where the brothers continue to “help people out.” Being at BYU, says Bachmeier, makes it “easy to . . . just be of service.”
