Kalani Sitake’s BYU team will face a challenging 2026 schedule, featuring several high-profile home games and critical road trips. However, with a quarterback of Bear Bachmeier’s talent and the addition of key newcomers such as Oregon transfer wide receiver Kyler Kasper, the Cougars are expected to enjoy a strong season in 2026.
How the Kyler Kasper and Bear Bachmeier Connection Gives BYU an Early Boost
After four injury-riddled seasons with Oregon, Kasper entered the transfer portal and later found a new home with BYU in January. He has already built chemistry with Bachmeier in spring ball.
“It’s been great,” Kasper said about his connection with Bachmeier. “It was a little bit of getting used to at first… We kind of had to work like the trajectory of the ball… I think the connections are great, and it’s just going to continue to get better going on into the season.”
Injuries largely limited Kasper’s previous seasons at Oregon, and he recorded only two catches for 51 yards over four games in 2025 before a foot injury ended his season. Having had surgery on both of his feet in 2024, he still has immense potential.
He arrived at Oregon as a four-star and the No. 29 wide receiver and No. 174 prospect in the 2022 class, per 247Sports, and arguably has the frame and talent to succeed at the collegiate level.
DON’T MISS: Michigan WR JJ Buchanan Predicts ‘Huge Leap’ for Bryce Underwood Under Kyle Whittingham
Expressing optimism about what he brings to BYU, he said,
“I feel like I bring everything at 6’6,” Kasper said. “So I was just talking to Skylar Mayne. He was even just saying, ‘I didn’t know you could bend like that and get in and out of your brakes that quickly.’ I’ve heard that from a lot of people so far, and I’m excited to be able to show that fade balls have been a good thing here already, and then also just running the intermediate route and short routes… ”
With two years of eligibility remaining, Kasper’s arrival is a significant boost for Bachmeier, who is in his first spring camp at BYU.
Bachmeier was competing for the starting quarterback job at Stanford this time last year, but Stanford’s firing of head coach Troy Taylor triggered Bachmeier to enter the portal and sign with BYU. He proved his worth by leading BYU to 12 wins in his debut season and winning the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year award.
His performance earned him an 84.2 score in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric, ranking him the No. 30 QB in the nation.
