A jersey number is just a number, but the number worn by BYU QB Bear Bachmeier is a bit jarring for fans used to seeing quarterbacks don either single-digit or low double-digit numbers.
Bachmeier wears No. 47 for the Cougars, certainly an unusual jersey number for a quarterback at any level.
Despite the confusion the jersey number causes, Bachmeier has a good reason for the bold choice.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Why Bear Bachmeier wears number 47
Bachmeier said the No. 47 originated from his early days as a running back when he first started playing football.
“I used to play running back when I was younger, when I started playing football,” Bachmeier told reporters in 2025. “When I made the transition to quarterback, I just kept the number. I continued to play middle linebacker up until eighth grade.”
Bachmeier didn’t just keep the number because it was easy. He explained that he likes the mentality that comes along a number traditionally worn by players at more physical positions.
“I like the number. It kind of brings you back to your primitive nature, I guess, when you’re playing,” Bachmeier said.
The BYU quarterback, now in his sophomore season, says the No. 47 embodies a “fullback mentality” he tries to have when he’s on the move and pushing for extra yardage.
Pat McAfee gave Bachmeier some credit for living up to that mentality by looking like a linebacker and “playing like a linebacker” in 2025.
“BYU has a QB, Bear Bachmeier a freshman… No. 47… looks like a linebacker, plays like a linebacker an absolute DAWG.” Thank you @PatMcAfeeShow National media FINALLY starting to wake up on this @BYUfootball team 🗣️🗣️ https://t.co/iOrL9RJeye
— TorresOnBYU (@TorresOnBYU) November 1, 2025
The numbers back it up. Bachmeier rushed for 527 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman, and he’s been nearly twice as efficient on the ground as a sophomore with 6.6 yards per carry. Five games into his sophomore season, Bachmeier has a career record of 17-2 at BYU.
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