BYU Cougars–No. 3 | |
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Position | Quarterback |
Class | ![]() |
Major | Business |
Personal information | |
Born: | [1] [2] | August 25, 2002
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
Career history | |
College |
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High school | Skyridge (Lehi, Utah) |
McCae Hillstead (born August 25, 2002) [1] [2] is an American football quarterback for the BYU Cougars. He previously played for the Utah State Aggies.
Hillstead attended Skyridge High School located in Lehi, Utah. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three star recruit and the top quarterback in the State of Utah, where he committed to play college football for the Utah State Aggies. [3]
In week three of the 2023 season, he entered the game after starter Cooper Legas was benched, where he completed 18 of his 27 pass attempts for 202 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Air Force. [4] In week four, Hillstead made his first collegiate start completing 25 of his 47 passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns with three interceptions versus James Madison. [5] He finished the 2023 season completing 59.5% of his passes for 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns along with eight interceptions. [6] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Hillstead decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [7]
Hillstead transferred to play for the BYU Cougars. [8] During his first season with the Cougars in 2024, he used the season to redshirt. [9] Heading into the 2025 season, after starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff was suspended and entered the transfer portal, Hillstead is the favorite to start for the Cougars. [10] [11]