McElroy: BYU’s Roster Ready to Compete for Big 12 Title

Despite the departure of starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff to the transfer portal, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy remains confident that BYU will contend for the Big 12 title this fall.

Speaking on the Always College Football podcast, McElroy downplayed concerns about the QB position, pointing to the strength of the roster around the position.

“It looked like BYU was going to have a very experienced quarterback back with Jake Retzlaff,” McElroy said. “He has since decided to enter the transfer portal. What I do want to evaluate is what is still there for a BYU quarterback, because I look at the rest of the roster, the rest of the roster is ready-made and established to contend for the Big 12 title yet again.”

McElroy emphasized BYU’s depth across the lines of scrimmage and praised a secondary that stands ready to support the next quarterback to take over. “They should be pretty dang good at running back to at least take some pressure off what might be a somewhat inexperienced quarterback,” he added, shifting focus from QB concerns to team-wide capabilities.

He also stressed that no lone quarterback carries the offensive burden. “I think it’s a real nice luxury to know that this is an offense that is not going to be exclusively on the quarterback’s shoulders. I trust Kalani [Sitake]. I trust the system. I trust the identity and the culture, and I just am not that concerned about it because you have two guys that have played college football and a really talented freshman”.

BYU’s quarterback room now features upperclassmen McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet, each with FBS starting experience, and incoming transfer Bear Bachmeier, lifted up by McElroy as the one with the highest upside.

With fall camp around the corner, McElroy believes BYU’s identity and roster balance provide a firm foundation, even as the quarterback spot works itself out. He’s rolling the dice, but he’s not worried.