This spring alone, college football fans have had a double dose of sibling transfer drama, with the latest happening just yesterday. Brothers, Bear and Tiger Bachmeier, made headlines by committing to BYU, leaving Stanford behind in a move that mirrors the recent Iamaleava brothers’ saga.
Tiger, a wide receiver with two years of eligibility left, and Bear, a promising quarterback from the Class of 2025, announced their decisions just hours apart. Their transfer story is similar to Madden and Nico Iamaleava’s journey, where family ties and program fit led to unexpected moves.
Bear and Tiger Bachmeier Reunite at BYU in Madden-Nico Iamaleava Style Transfer Surprise
Bear and Tiger Bachmeier are Hank Bachmeier’s younger brothers. For those who might not know the whole story, Hank is a former quarterback who played at Boise State, Louisiana Tech, and Wake Forest.
The Bachmeier family has a strong football legacy, and now Bear and Tiger are adding their names to the list. Bear is a four-star quarterback recruit who enrolled early at Stanford in the spring of 2025 but entered the transfer portal on April 24, 2025, after head coach Troy Taylor’s dismissal in March.
Former Stanford WR Tiger Bachmeier committed to transfer to BYU on Saturday evening, he told ESPN. He joins his brother, Class of 2025 QB Bear Bachmeier, who committed early Saturday to BYU. Tiger graduated with a degree in computer science from Stanford in 2.5 years. pic.twitter.com/fu3DCDlhLG
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 4, 2025
Tiger also decided to explore his options following the coaching change. Their visits to BYU, led by coach Kalani Sitake, sealed the deal, with Bear committing in the morning and Tiger following suit yesterday evening.
This sibling transfer story mirrors the Iamaleava brothers’ moves earlier this spring. Nico Iamaleava, a former Tennessee quarterback who led the Vols to the College Football Playoff, made headlines when he held out of team activities amid a contract dispute with his NIL collective.
He eventually transferred to UCLA. Just a day after Nico’s commitment, his younger brother Madden, a freshman quarterback at Arkansas, entered the transfer portal citing homesickness and followed Nico to UCLA.
Adding the Bachmeier brothers is a significant win for BYU as they look to make noise in the Big 12. Tiger’s experience and playmaking ability will strengthen an expansive receiver room that needed depth, while Bear’s potential gives the program a long-term answer at quarterback.
The Cougars have been building momentum under Sitake, and these siblings could be a key piece in their push for conference contention.
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The fact that both brothers committed on the same day also sends a message about the program’s appeal to transfers. The Bachmeier brothers have the talent, pedigree, and skills it takes to showcase what they bring to the table.
Now, if they are on the right team and can live up to their potential, BYU might just have a new dynamic duo to lead them into the future.
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