Tuesday was a big day for BYU’s quarterbacks.
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick announced true freshman Bear Bachmeier would start at quarterback for BYU in its season opener against Portland State.
“I don’t think we’re the first ones (to start a freshman in an opener), but I don’t know how many of them have had Bear Bachmeier,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said. “You know what I mean?”
But Bachmeier wasn’t the only BYU quarterback with something to celebrate.
Backup quarterback Emerson Geilman opened his mission call after practice in front of his teammates on Tuesday.
He shared a video of the moment on social media.
Geilman will serve in the Brazil São Paulo Interlagos Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Deseret News’ Jay Drew previously reported that “a roar went up from the huddling team” in response to Geilman’s mission call.
Geilman will leave for his mission in January after the conclusion of the season.
He will be back at BYU “for the winter 2028 semester,” according to BYU Sports Nation’s Jarom Jordan.
Who is Emerson Geilman?
Geilman is a freshman at BYU and hails from Bountiful, Utah, where he played at Bountiful High School.
In his senior season, Geilman threw for 2,476 yards and 24 touchdowns and also rushed for 987 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He was named the 2024 Deseret News Class 5A Player of the Year.
“Emerson Geilman is a coach’s dream and is exceptional on and off the field. He holds himself to the highest standard, he is a great leader and teammate, and he does all the little things to perform at an elite level,” Bountiful coach Jason Freckleton previously told the Deseret News.
Geilman was also one of 82 players named to the National Football Foundation’s 2025 “Team of Distinction,” according to KSL Sports.