why does byu quarterback wear 47

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier wears jersey No. 47 because it’s the number he grew up wearing as a running back and linebacker, and he kept it when he switched to quarterback as a nod to that tough, physical mindset.

The core reason

• Bachmeier started football as a running back and middle linebacker, not a quarterback, and originally chose 47 in those positions.

• When he later transitioned to quarterback, he “just kept the number” instead of switching to a traditional QB number between 1–19.

What 47 means to him

• He has said 47 reminds him of his “primitive nature” and the more physical, downhill way he used to play on defense and at running back.

• The number has turned into part of his identity at BYU: a tough, almost fullback-style quarterback who embraces contact and brings an aggressive mentality.

Why it stands out so much

• Quarterbacks almost always wear numbers from 1 to 19, so seeing a starting QB in 47 is visually jarring and instantly noticeable on TV and social media.

• That uniqueness has helped fuel online buzz and “why does the BYU quarterback wear 47?” forum and news discussions during the 2025 season.

TL;DR: He wore 47 as a young running back/linebacker, liked how it fit his hard-nosed style, and kept it at BYU as a quarterback to carry that mentality forward.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.