Should Bear Bachmeier ever play QB in the NFL, will he have to change his jersey number?

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BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier is not eligible for the 2027 NFL draft, but it seems reasonable he’ll get there in the somewhat-near future.

What isn’t guaranteed, though, is the jersey number he’ll wear.

The 20-year-old wears No. 47 for the Cougars — a unique choice for a quarterback, to say the least.

“I used to play running back when I was younger, when I started playing football,” Bachmeier told the Deseret News in August 2025. “When I made the transition to quarterback, I just kept the number. I continued to play middle linebacker up until eighth grade. I like the number. It kind of brings you back to your primitive nature, I guess, when you’re playing.”

NCAA football players are allowed much more discretion in number selection than NFLers. At the pro level, quarterbacks must stay between 0 and 19.

Other positions likewise have mandatory jersey number ranges, allowing referees to know who’s eligible to play particular roles without having to memorize anything before each snap.

When is Bear Bachmeier eligible for the NFL draft?

The earliest Bachmeier can declare for the NFL draft is in 2028, though he may wait until he graduates in 2029.

To be eligible for the draft, a player must be at least three years removed from high school or have exhausted his NCAA eligibility. Bachmeier graduated from high school in 2025.

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