Also in this week’s Eye on the Y newsletter: The quarterback competition heats up going into the third week of fall camp.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after a three-point basket against the Connecticut Sun in the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Caitlin Clark is one of the most famous athletes in the world right now.
But before Clark set records on the court, she was watching BYU hoops in her living room.
The WNBA star, known for her deep range and step-back threes, learned part of her game from a Cougar. And she kept a memento of her fandom with her.
“I always had a step back [three]. It is kind of hard to put my finger on [where I learned it]. I grew up a basketball junkie. Even if you are not intentionally mimicking, you are just absorbing what you are consuming. I always watched Steph [Curry] or even Jimmer, who I love,” Clark said on WNBA legend Sue Bird’s “Bird’s Eye View” podcast.
Jimmer Fredette led BYU to the Sweet 16 and won national player of the year in 2011. During that time, he became a national sensation similar to Clark for a two-year period as he sold out areas with his mix of deep threes and flair.
It became known as “Jimmer-mania,” as people made songs and shirts for the BYU star. Clark was among those participating.
“I told Jimmer this when we were doing [the ESPN show] Sue’s Places. He was one of my favorite players growing up. There was the famous song ‘Teach me how to Jimmer’ and I had the shirt that said ‘Teach me how to Jimmer.’ If you haven’t seen it, look it up on YouTube,” Clark said. “It is a ‘Teach me how to Dougie’ remix.”
When it was suggested Clark get her shirt signed by Fredette, she winced with regret.
“I know, I don’t think I have the shirt anymore,” she laughed.
The memories — and the step-back threes — will have to suffice.
The Big Thing
(Jaren Wilkey | BYU Photo) Quarterback Treyson Bourguet participates in BYU football practice in Provo, Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
BYU is entering week three of fall camp, and the quarterback competition needs to wind down.
For two weeks, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick doled out first-team reps to all three quarterbacks. But after a scrimmage on Saturday, he knows the time is up.
“There is going to be a point pretty soon, I’m not ready to say exactly when, that we are going to have to establish a pecking order,” Roderick said. “If we keep going the way we are going forever, then nobody will be ready to play that first game.”
BYU had around 100 live snaps on Saturday and first-team reps were divided equally last week, Roderick said.
Roderick acknowledged the overall offense was “sloppy” in the first outing. There were pre-snap penalties and operational miscues. That isn’t all on the quarterback, but it needs to be sorted out.
One positive was that none of McCae Hillstead, Bear Bachmeier nor Treyson Bourguet threw an interception. Taking care of the ball will be imperative to winning the job.
“I don’t recall anybody putting the ball in jeopardy today,” Roderick said. “Part of it was we had some tough yardage situations today. You get a penalty, it sets you back. Play smart and give yourself a chance to punt and flip the field.”
Quick hits
(Christi Norris |BYU) Cougars offensive lineman Andrew Gentry is interviewed in Provo, Utah, during the football team’s 2025 fall training camp.
• BYU landed in the top 25 of the coaches’ poll, but the Cougars are just on the outside of the first AP poll of the season.