Sitake Expects BYU Quarterback Battle To Be Settled In Fall Camp

FRISCO, Texas – One year after Jake Retzlaff and Gerry Bahanon worked to earn the job at QB in fall camp, the BYU Cougars are in a similar position for a quarterback battle entering 2025 fall camp.

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake is less concerned with who will be under center against Portland State on August 30 and more focused on making sure each potential starter is prepared for the possibility.

Sitake joined the KSL Sports Zone contingent at Big 12 Media Days to talk Cougar football in 2025 on Tuesday, July 8.

“We have four quarterbacks who can spin it,” Sitake said of his four-man QB room. “So the goal is to allow them to feel confident. That’s the one prerequisite we have is that you play quarterback, you should be able to throw the ball correctly.”

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“We ‘ve been through quarterback battles before,” Sitake said of the situation. “I think the key is allowing McCae Hillstead to play and be himself and utilize his skillset. Then, Trayson (Bourget) to do the same thing. Then, Bear Bachmeier, do the same thing. Then Emerson (Geilman) to play.”

Sitake pointed to the distribution of practice reps as a way to help make the final decision, “How do we create an environment where they can compete and actually earn the spot? I wish we could have done that earlier, but now that’s been on us. We have to do that in camp. When we figure that out, I’ll let you know, but we have until the first game to get that done.”

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Last season, BYU finished with an 11-2 record and a 7-2 conference record. Utah was the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 during its first year, but ended up finishing 5-7 overall and 2-7 in league games.

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Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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