Tiger Bachmeier, a graduate transfer from Stanford, is ready to earn his stripes all over again

As a graduate transfer who earned a degree in computer science from Stanford in just two and a half years, all while logging two solid seasons as a wide receiver for the Cardinal, Tiger Bachmeier couldn’t be blamed for believing he should already have a spot on the depth chart at his new school, BYU.

But that’s not how this Tiger rolls, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior (in eligibility) from Murrieta, California, told the Deseret News on Wednesday as preseason training camp practices began in Provo.

“I am here to earn every one of my opportunities,” he said.

Bachmeier, whose given first name is James, transferred to BYU with his brother, freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, but both said they didn’t come as a package deal. Both guys determined BYU was the right spot for them on their own, after the school showed interest in both, Tiger said.

“Well, Bear had entered the portal. Through that, I found out that BYU had also wanted me,” Tiger said. “So it was a really tough decision. I talked it over with friends and family. I waited until the last second to enter the portal. And even then, I was still really thinking it over. It was hard to leave. … But getting to come to a school with my brother, and really set the stage for him and come to a good football scene seemed like a really good plan for me.”

Bear explained Wednesday why the brothers — with the exception of oldest brother Hank Bachmeier, the former Boise State quarterback — are named after animals when he met with reporters on Wednesday with the other two QBs battling for the starting spot vacated by Jake Retzlaff: McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet.

“My dad’s grandpa, he used to be a fighter pilot,” Bear said. “He smoked those unfiltered Camels (cigarettes) and his voice was deep. … He would always tell my dad, ‘Get over here, Tiger (in a growling voice),’ And my dad always thought that was cool. He named James the fourth Tiger when he had a kid, and then he said, the best one has got to be named Bear.”

A younger brother is named Buck, but their father calls him “Cougar,” which should bode well for BYU’s recruiting efforts in the future.

In high school, Tiger ran an 11.4 time in the 100-meter dash and was a four-star recruit at Murrieta Valley High, which is between San Diego and Los Angeles, but more inward than the heavily populated coastal cities.

At Stanford, he led all Pac-12 true freshmen with 36 catches for 409 yards in 2023. He wasn’t used as much in 2024, but was listed as a co-starter and made 10 catches for 67 yards. He returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown vs. Cal Poly.

BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said Tiger has already showed his incredible intellect, having mostly learned the playbook and offense since arriving in June.

“He is doing a great job. Tiger is going to play for us a lot. He’s a good player, a really good player,” Roderick said. “He will be an important player on this team. … He speaks Chinese, flies airplanes. What else does he do? He’s that kind of guy. They are an interesting (family).”

So interesting, said receivers coach and passing game coordinator Fesi Sitake, that he will never forget his visit to their home, calling them a “quirky family” who he enjoyed getting to know.

“But I mean that in the best way (possible),” Sitake said. “It was such a good time to hang out and talk with them. … Those two are great kids, and they come from great people.”

Sitake said Tiger Bachmeier brings “absolute maturity” to the program and not only smarts, but speed, talent, athleticism and play-making ability.

“He is as sharp as any receiver I’ve ever coached in this profession,” Sitake said. “… You name all the attributes and characteristics that it would take to graduate from Stanford that quickly, and he has those same ones in football as well. I’m never going to have to worry about telling Tiger to hustle and finish a play.

“I’m never going to worry about any coaching point that requires intellect to pick up,” Sitake continued. “So that’s what he brings — reliability, confidence, maturity. He’s displayed that in all three practices we’ve had thus far. And he’s got a good skill set, man. He’s twitchy, quick, and he’s got great ball skills. So I’ve been really, really pleased with his leadership and what he brings to the room.”

Senior receiver Chase Roberts, the unquestioned WR1 in the room this year, said at Big 12 media days that BYU fans will learn to love Tiger quickly.

“We have a deep receivers room this year, especially with Tiger coming in. The dude is a stud. He is going to play a lot this year, make a lot of plays,” Roberts said. “He is just a solid receiver overall. He runs routes really well, can go get the ball. He will be that glue guy in our wide receiver room.”

Fellow newcomer Reggie Frischknecht said Tiger has already developed into a mentor and one of his best friends on the team. Frischknecht played at Snow College last season and was at Weber State this past spring before jumping into the portal and landing at BYU.

“Tiger is just a great man,” Frischknecht said. “He’s a funny guy, and he is always willing to help whenever I ask him for it. I really love him as a person, and a receiver.”

Can Provo become Tiger’s type of town?

Aside from the mountains towering above the city, Tiger Bachmeier says Provo reminds him of his hometown, which is also on Interstate 15.

“I love it out here,” he said. “There’s great scenery everywhere you look.”

The brothers describe themselves as Catholic, and spiritual in nature and outlook. They live together in a three-bedroom condominium, while keeping a bedroom open for various guests and their parents. Just last week, their uncle visited. Just the other day, their mother (April) visited and braided Tiger’s hair.

The brothers will visit the so-called “fun house” near the stadium, where six other relatively new Cougars live and where they play a lot of Monopoly and Settlers of Catan.

“I am in love with the culture already,” Bear told BYUtv in May.

Tiger said he has been accepted into the MBA program in business at BYU and will begin classes in September.

“I have two years of eligibility remaining, and I feel like I will be here two years,” Tiger said. “I would love to stay here with Bear for another year, if it happens. Obviously, my aspirations are high (to play in the NFL). And if everything goes right, everything goes right.”

Tiger said he’s got plenty of goals for himself in the weight room, in the classroom, in the meeting room, and on the field, but doesn’t like to talk about specifics publicly.

“Obviously, I plan on getting in there and getting touchdowns, getting big catches in big-time games, looking out to see the fans,” he said. “I think it is going to be an exciting year. No, I know it is going to be an exciting year.”