BYU’s Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier Earns All-American Honors After Breakout Season
In a season that saw BYU surge into the national spotlight, true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been named to the 247Sports True Freshman All-American Team - and it’s hard to argue with the pick. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound signal-caller from Murrieta, California didn’t just flash potential - he delivered week after week, guiding the Cougars to an 11-2 record and a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Bachmeier separated himself from a talented group of first-year quarterbacks, including Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and Maryland’s Malik Washington, thanks to a blend of poise, production, and playmaking ability that kept BYU in the College Football Playoff conversation deep into the season.
Let’s talk numbers - because they tell a compelling story. Bachmeier completed 64.2% of his passes (224-for-349) for 2,708 yards and 14 touchdowns, while limiting mistakes with just six interceptions.
That’s an efficiency rating of 139.2, which puts him third among true freshmen quarterbacks in passing yards. But he wasn’t just a pocket passer - he added a physical element on the ground, racking up 527 rushing yards on 146 carries and punching in 11 touchdowns.
That dual-threat ability made him a nightmare for opposing defenses and a lifeline for BYU’s offense.
The accolades piled up quickly. Bachmeier earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors seven times in 12 regular-season games - a clear sign of his consistency and impact.
He was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and earned Honorable Mention recognition in the all-conference selections. Nationally, his name started popping up in award conversations as well.
He was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award and twice named to the O’Brien Award’s “Great 8” list, which highlights the top quarterback performances in the country each week.
Now, he and the 12th-ranked Cougars are headed to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where they’ll face No. 22 Georgia Tech in Orlando on December 27.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
It’s a fitting stage for a quarterback who’s already proven he belongs under the bright lights.
Faletau Satuala Earns FWAA All-American Honors After Dominant Sophomore Season
On the other side of the ball, BYU safety Faletau Satuala has been named a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America - a well-earned nod for one of the most disruptive defenders in the Big 12 this season.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound sophomore from Bountiful, Utah, was a force all year long. He led the Cougars in total tackles (78) and forced fumbles (2), while also contributing three interceptions and 7.5 tackles for loss.
That kind of production - across the board - speaks to his versatility and football IQ. Whether he was dropping into coverage, crashing the line of scrimmage, or forcing turnovers, Satuala made his presence felt every Saturday.
His breakout campaign didn’t go unnoticed in the Big 12, either. Satuala was named First Team All-Big 12 by Sports Info Solutions and earned Third Team honors from the conference coaches. He also took home individual weekly honors, including the Lott Trophy Player of the Week and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, after a standout performance in BYU’s 41-27 win at Iowa State.
Satuala’s rise has been rapid. Just a year ago, he was a true freshman logging rotational snaps and finishing with nine tackles and an interception.
Now, he’s anchoring one of the top defenses in the country and drawing national recognition. He was also a candidate for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award - a fitting honor for a player whose roots and impact stretch far beyond the field.
AJ Dybantsa Lands on Lute Olson Award Watch List After Scorching Start to Season
Switching over to the hardwood, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa is making noise of his own. The 6-foot-9 sophomore has been named to the Lute Olson Award Early Season Watch List - an early indicator that he’s among the top players in college basketball right now.
Through 11 games, Dybantsa is leading the Cougars with 21.1 points per game while shooting an efficient 55.6% from the floor. He’s also pulling down 7.0 rebounds, dishing out 3.3 assists, and snagging 1.3 steals per game. He’s not just scoring - he’s filling up every column of the box score.
His recent stretch has been particularly impressive. Dybantsa has scored 20 or more points in four straight games, including a 23-point outing against Pacific.
That run makes him the first BYU player to post four consecutive 20-point games since Tyler Haws did it back in January 2015. He also had a career-high 28 points in a comeback win over Clemson in the Jimmy V Classic, with 22 of those coming after halftime - a performance that showed just how dangerous he can be when he gets rolling.
The Lute Olson Award, named after the Hall of Fame coach who led Arizona to a national title in 1997, honors the top player in Division I men’s basketball. Dybantsa’s inclusion on the early watch list puts him in elite company and sets the stage for a big-time season.
No. 10 BYU returns to the court Friday, Dec. 19, when they host Abilene Christian at the Marriott Center.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. MT on TNT.
The Bottom Line
Whether it’s Bachmeier carving up defenses, Satuala locking things down on the back end, or Dybantsa lighting up the scoreboard, BYU is getting elite production from its young stars across multiple sports. And with bowl season heating up and basketball hitting its stride, Cougar fans have plenty to be excited about this winter.