Hank Bachmeier was a freshman sensation for Boise State after a heroic performance in an upset victory over the Florida State Seminoles. Four years later, he is taking snaps for Louisiana Tech? What happened to the former consensus four-star quarterback recruit?
From Bronco To Bulldog
Bachmeier started right away after enrolling at Boise State as one of the country’s best quarterback recruits in the Class of 2019. Bachmeier enjoyed solid production in his first year with 1,878 passing yards and nine touchdowns. However, he was hit early and often as a freshman and missed several games due to various injuries.
Bachmeier battled injuries again in 2020, playing in just five games with the team that year. He played every game for the Broncos in 2021, but the team went 7-5; across the board, the program faced plenty of pressure to get back to their winning ways, and a lot fell on Bachmeier’s shoulders.
After throwing two interceptions in nine attempts against Oregon State to start the 2022 season, Bachmeier was benched in favor of Taylen Green. Fans began to boo Bachmeier when he took back to the field following Green’s relief performance, but Bachmeier played their next three games.
Unfortunately, Bachmeier’s play against UTEP once again brought the boo birds back. The Broncos lost, with Bachmeier completing 13 of his 34 passes for 93 yards and one touchdown.
Just after that game, Boise State fired the team’s offensive coordinator, Tim Plough. Right after, on September 26, Bachmeier threw his name in the transfer portal. Since he had only played four games for Boise State in 2022, he was able to count it as a redshirt. Thus, Bachmeier would have two years of eligibility wherever he transferred.
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The former freshman sensation sought an opportunity to pursue an NFL future and wanted to play in an offense that would help prepare him for a professional career. That led to Bachmeier seeking out Sonny Cumbie at Louisiana Tech, whose quarterback-friendly offense appealed to Bachmeier.
Bachmeier believed Cumbie’s Air Raid offense would help him showcase his arm and ability as a passer to NFL scouts. With two years in the offense, Bachmeier was hopeful that he would put enough on film to bounce back from injuries and poor play at Boise State just in time to enter the NFL.
Bachmeier’s injuries have once again reared their head this season, however. After just three games, he sustained a shoulder injury. While Bachmeier has returned to practice, the Bulldogs have gotten a spark out of quarterback Jack Turner, who led the team to a near-comeback win over Western Kentucky.
Both quarterbacks are practicing and competing, but as of this writing, Sonny Cumbie has not announced which quarterback will start for the team against Middle Tennessee State or for the rest of the season.
