Backup QB Showdown Emerges Amid Retzlaff Controversy
As BYU Football braces for an uncertain season, the program finds itself on the brink of a quarterback shakeup. With starting QB Jake Retzlaff engulfed in controversy following a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and strangulation, attention has shifted dramatically toward the Cougars’ quarterback room — and a high-stakes battle between two young talents is underway.
Redshirt sophomores McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet are now locked in what insiders are calling one of the most intense quarterback competitions in recent program history. Both QBs have shown promise in limited action, but neither has yet taken the reins of the offense under full pressure. Coaches say the competition is “neck and neck,” with neither quarterback gaining a clear edge heading into summer workouts.
Hillstead, the Utah State transfer, has impressed with his command and poise, while Bourguet’s arm strength and mobility have made him a fan favorite during spring practices. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has remained tight-lipped, only hinting that the competition will be “won in the film room and on the field.”
The uncertainty surrounding Retzlaff’s legal situation has accelerated the urgency of naming a reliable starter. While no official suspension or action has been announced by BYU, the possibility of Retzlaff being unavailable looms large. That has pushed both backup QBs into the spotlight far earlier than expected.
For fans, it’s a sudden pivot — from preparing for Retzlaff to lead the Cougars into their second Big 12 season, to wondering which young gun will step up under pressure. As fall camp nears, the Cougars are facing more than a quarterback battle — they’re fighting to hold their season together before it even begins.
The eyes of Cougar Nation are now firmly fixed on Hillstead and Bourguet.
