BYU transfer McCae Hillstead named Utah State starting QB
Apr 20, 2026, 5:42 PM | Updated: Apr 21, 2026, 11:18 am
LOGAN — Utah State has settled on a starting quarterback.
Former BYU signal caller McCae Hillstead will lead the Aggies into the Pac-12, head coach Bronco Mendenhall announced Monday.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound passer from Lehi’s Skyridge High has spent the past two years with BYU, where he redshirted in 2024 and played in five games behind starter Bear Bachmeier in 2025.
Now Hillstead, whose college career started at Utah State in 2023, will get a chance to lead a program in transition under second-year head coach Mendenhall and first-year offensive coordinator Robert Anae. The 67-year-old former BYU center brings his offense that emphasizes quick decision-making, accuracy and distributing the ball to playmakers in space after stops at NC State, Syracuse and Virginia.
All are areas wherein Hillstead excelled during spring practice, Mendenhall said in a news release.
“After a thorough evaluation of our quarterback room, it became clear that McCae has earned the opportunity to lead this program,” he added. “Throughout the spring, McCae demonstrated consistency, poise and a command of the offense that aligns with our expectations for that position. He’s a competitor, he’s resilient, and he’s earned the trust of his teammates. We’re excited about his development and confident in his ability to lead our team into the 2026 season.”
Your new Aggie QB1⃣: @mccaehillstead
✍️ ➡️https://t.co/z39VhzJuXx pic.twitter.com/GaQoBYHzCh
— USU Football (@USUFootball) April 20, 2026
Why is McCae Hillstead at Utah State?
It won’t be the first time Hillstead has started at quarterback for Utah State.
The redshirt junior played in eight games as a true freshman in 2023, including four starts. He completed 59.5% of his passes for 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns with eight interceptions before transferring to Provo.
After two seasons at BYU, he then entered the transfer portal and headed back to Logan to join Mendenhall, who went 6-7 in his first season with the Aggies including a loss to Washington State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Now the former three-star recruit is back to finish the job, beginning Sept. 5 against Idaho State.
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