Sports
Sources: St. John's lands Cuse transfer Freeman
Donnie Freeman commits to St. John's, choosing them over Kentucky.
ESPN News1 min read
SportsPreview
Utah State returnee and BYU transfer McCae Hillstead named Aggiesâ starting quarterback
TL;DR
McCae Hillstead has been named the starting quarterback for Utah State as they enter their first season in the Pac-12. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall praised Hillstead's consistency and command of the offense during spring camp.
Key points
- McCae Hillstead named starting quarterback for Utah State
- First season in the Pac-12 for Utah State
- Head coach Bronco Mendenhall praised Hillstead's performance
Mentioned in this story
Bronco Mendenhall
Utah StateMcCae HillsteadPac-12
Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead (10) pitches the ball to running back Robert Briggs Jr. (2) during the second half of the team's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game against Georgia State, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. | Steve Conner
During spring camp, the message from Utah State head coach Bronco Mendenhall was that McCae Hillstead was the clear favorite to win the starting job for the fall.
The Aggies confirmed Monday afternoon that Hillstead will be the programâs starting quarterback in its first year in the Pac-12.
âAfter a thorough evaluation of our quarterback room, it became clear that McCae has earned the opportunity to lead this program,â said Mendenhall. âThroughout the spring, McCae demonstrated consistency, poise and a command of the offense that aligns with our expectations for that position.
âHeâs a competitor, heâs resilient, and heâs earned the trust of his teammates. Weâre excited about his development and confident in his ability to lead our team into the 2026 season.â
Mendenhall previously said that the QB room had him and offensive coordinator Robert Anae very excited.
While Hillstead was the favorite, Virginia transfer Grady Brosterhous also impressed the coaching staff. However, Hillstead was looked to as the leader during spring camp because of his experience.
Q&A
Why was McCae Hillstead chosen as the starting quarterback for Utah State?
McCae Hillstead was chosen due to his demonstrated consistency, poise, and command of the offense during spring camp.
What impact will McCae Hillstead's starting position have on Utah State's season in the Pac-12?
Hillstead's leadership as starting quarterback is expected to be crucial for Utah State's performance in their inaugural season in the Pac-12.
Who is the head coach of Utah State and what did he say about Hillstead?
The head coach of Utah State is Bronco Mendenhall, who stated that Hillstead has earned the opportunity to lead the program after a thorough evaluation of the quarterback room.
