McCae Hillstead has been named the starting quarterback for the Utah State Aggies entering the 2026 season, marking a return to the program where he began his collegiate career in 2023. The decision follows Hillstead's recent tenure with the BYU Cougars and his return to Logan under head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Return to the Aggies
Hillstead, a junior who was born August 25, 2004, returns to the Aggies program after a period spent with the BYU Cougars. He officially entered the NCAA transfer portal on December 29, 2025, before returning to Utah State on January 8, 2026, to play under second-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
BYU Tenure and Transitions
The quarterback's journey through the collegiate ranks has been marked by several transitions. After his initial stint with Utah State, Hillstead transferred to play for the BYU Cougars. During his 2024 season at BYU, he served as a redshirt. In 2025, he appeared in five games for the Cougars, including the Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over Georgia Tech. His only passing attempts of that season occurred during the season opener against Portland State, where he completed four of five attempts for 33 yards.
High School Success
Hillstead's rise in college football began at Skyridge High School in Lehi, Utah. Coming out of high school, he was recognized as a three-star recruit and was rated as the top quarterback in the state of Utah. His performance at the high school level led to his initial commitment to the Utah State Aggies.
Early Collegiate Performance
During his first collegiate season in 2023, Hillstead saw significant action for the Aggies. In week three of that season, he entered the game following the benching of starter Cooper Legas, completing 18 of 27 pass attempts for 202 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Air Force. He followed that performance in week four by making his first collegiate start, completing 25 of 47 passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns against James Madison.
Career Statistics Overview
Hillstead finished the 2023 season with 1,062 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, against eight interceptions, while completing 59.5% of his passes. His career statistics through his various stints include 1,163 total passing yards and 18 touchdowns across 13 games played.
Spring Camp Developments
The announcement of Hillstead as the starter comes as spring camp concludes for the Aggies. As spring camp wound down, the team has focused on development and leadership under Coach Mendenhall.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the 2026 season approaches, Hillstead enters his junior year looking to lead the Aggies offense. His return to Utah State represents a significant addition to the roster as the team prepares for upcoming collegiate competition.
