College Football 26 Picks BYU Starter: McCae Hillstead Edges Out Freshman Competition EA names redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead as BYU’s projected QB1 with solid camp ratings over debuting Bear Bachmeier and Treyson Bourguet

With the 2025 roster update in College Football 26, EA Sports has officially updated BYU's quarterback depth chart and selected a starter—reflecting real-world changes following Jake Retzlaff’s transfer.

🏈 Depth Chart Update: QB Room Breakdown

EA has made these key updates for BYU’s 2025 QB rotation:

• Starter: McCae Hillstead (redshirt sophomore) – 77 OVR
• Backup: Bear Bachmeier (true freshman transfer) – 76 OVR
• Third string: Treyson Bourguet (redshirt junior) – 71 OVR

Hillstead and Bachmeier are closely matched in ratings, indicating a competitive offseason quarterback race ahead of fall camp.

📊 Player Attribute Breakdown

🟦 McCae Hillstead (77 OVR)

• Speed: 74
• Agility: 75
• Acceleration: 77
• Awareness: 78
• Throw Power: 86
• Short Accuracy: 80
• Mid Accuracy: 84
• Deep Accuracy: 79
• Juke: 80
• Stiff Arm: 45

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🟩 Bear Bachmeier (76 OVR)

• Speed: 82
• Agility: 82
• Acceleration: 85
• Awareness: 63
• Throw Power: 88
• Short Accuracy: 83
• Mid Accuracy: 79
• Deep Accuracy: 73
• Juke: 84
• Stiff Arm: 67

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🟥 Treyson Bourguet (71 OVR)

• Speed: 77
• Agility: 76
• Acceleration: 79
• Awareness: 74
• Throw Power: 92
• Short Accuracy: 79
• Mid Accuracy: 78
• Deep Accuracy: 71
• Juke: 50
• Stiff Arm: 51

Attributes based on EA roster update.

🔍 Why Hillstead Takes the Lead

• Experience matters: Hillstead’s redshirt season at BYU gives him familiarity with the offense.
• High awareness: His superior awareness rating likely swayed the decision for starter.
• Balanced skillset: Strong mid-throw accuracy and throw power make him a reliable choice.

Despite Bachmeier’s athletic upside—excellent speed and agility—his lower awareness and experience gave Hillstead the edge.

🧠 What This Means for Players

• Hillstead is the go-to QB in Dynasty mode, Road to Glory, and CUT.
• Bachmeier remains a tantalizing x-factor option with higher rushing upside.
• Bourguet offers veteran backup stability but ranks third due to consistency metrics.

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✅ TL;DR

• BYU’s QB1 in CFB 26 is McCae Hillstead (77 OVR).
• Bear Bachmeier is the high-athletic-reward freshman backup (76 OVR).
• Treyson Bourguet slots in as QB3 at (71 OVR).
• Hillstead’s better awareness and mode familiarity give him the starting nod over athletic upside.

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