Utah State returnee and BYU transfer McCae Hillstead named Aggies’ starting quarterback
McCae Hillstead previously had four starts as a freshman for the Aggies.
Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead (10) pitches the ball to running back Robert Briggs Jr. (2) during the second half of the team's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game against Georgia State, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Boise, Idaho.
| Steve Conner During spring camp, the message from Utah State head coach Bronco Mendenhall was that McCae Hillstead was the clear favorite to win the starting job for the fall. The Aggies confirmed Monday afternoon that Hillstead will be the program’s starting quarterback in its first year in the Pac-12. Your new Aggie QB1⃣: @mccaehillstead ✍️ ➡️ https://t.
co/z39VhzJuXx pic. twitter. com/GaQoBYHzCh — USU Football (@USUFootball) April 20, 2026 “After a thorough evaluation of our quarterback room, it became clear that McCae has earned the opportunity to lead this program,” said Mendenhall.
“Throughout the spring, McCae demonstrated consistency, poise and a command of the offense that aligns with our expectations for that position. “He’s a competitor, he’s resilient, and he’s earned the trust of his teammates. We’re excited about his development and confident in his ability to lead our team into the 2026 season.