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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.
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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.
McCae Hillstead was chosen due to his demonstrated consistency, poise, and command of the offense during spring camp.
Hillstead's leadership as starting quarterback is expected to be crucial for Utah State's performance in their inaugural season in the Pac-12.
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.

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âWith McCae Hillstead, thereâs age, and there is experience being older and some college starts and being a backup, and thereâs value in that,â Mendenhall said during spring camp.
In eight games in his freshman year, Hillstead threw for 1,062 yards, scoring 11 touchdowns on a 59.5 completion percentage.
After transferring to BYU, he redshirted in 2024. Last year, he appeared in five games for the Cougars.
Utah State opens the 2026 season at home against Idaho State on Sept. 5.
Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead (10) looks downfield against Georgia State late in the second half of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. Georgia State won 45-22. (AP Photo/Steve Conner) | Steve Conner, Associated Press