BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been named to the preseason watch list for the Manning Award, joining 39 other top national quarterbacks entering the 2026 college football season. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound sophomore from Murrieta, California, enters his true sophomore campaign following a standout 2025 season that saw him earn Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors.
National Recognition and Rankings
The Manning Award preseason watch list, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, features 40 of the nation's premier quarterbacks. According to BYU Athletics, the list includes student-athletes from nine FBS conferences and one independent program. The Big Ten leads the selections with 12 players, while the SEC and Big 12 each have eight selections. The ACC follows with six.
A Growing List of Accolades
Bachmeier's inclusion on the Manning Award list follows several other recent preseason honors. As BYU Athletics reported on Aug. 24, 2026, the sophomore has also been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award and the Maxwell Award. Additionally, Bachmeier has earned Preseason All-Big 12 honors from both Phil Steele and Pro Football Network.
BYU's Historical Connection to the Davey O'Brien
The Davey O'Brien Award, which Bachmeier was named to a preseason watch list for on Aug. 20, 2026, is the nation's oldest and most prestigious award for college quarterbacks. BYU has a storied history with the award, which was won by inaugural recipient Jim McMahon in 1981. Other BYU winners include Steve Young in 1983 and Ty Detmer, who won the award twice in 1990 and 1991.
Statistical Breakdown of 2025 Season
Bachmeier's 2025 season was marked by significant statistical contributions and high-level performance. He completed 251 of 387 passes for 3,033 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 216.6 yards per game. Beyond his passing, the sophomore was the team's second leading rusher, recording 147 carries for 527 yards and 11 touchdowns. His performance earned him seven conference freshman of the week honors during a 12-week period in the 2025 regular season.
Impact on Team Success
The sophomore's 2025 campaign helped lead the No. 12 ranked BYU Cougars to an 11-2 record, a trip to the Big 12 Championship, and an invitation to the Pop-Tarts Bowl. During that season, Bachmeier was a semifinalist for both the Davey O'Brien Award and the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year, and he was a candidate for the Manning Award.
Preseason Momentum and Media Outlook
As BYU Sports Nation discussed on Aug. 25, 2026, the preseason outlook for the Cougars involves analyzing various national media predictions, including projections for the College Football Playoff and individual player performance. The program's preseason momentum follows a strong spring camp in March 2026, where Bachmeier was identified as the team's QB1.
Spring Training Performance
Earlier in the spring, Bachmeier was noted for his performance during team practices. On Mar. 17, 2026, Mitch Harper reported that Bachmeier was having a strong spring camp as he prepared for his true sophomore season. During a media observation on that same day, Bachmeier was seen connecting with second-year wide receiver Reggie Frischknecht for a touchdown.
