Bauer grew up in Ankeny, Iowa and attended Ankeny High School where he lettered in football and baseball. He was a three-star rated recruit and committed to play college football at Central Michigan University over offers from Eastern Illinois, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois and Western Illinois.[1][2]
College career
Central Michigan
Bauer was redshirted during his freshman season in 2021.[3] In 2022, he played in six games and started one of them at quarterback. He completed 35 of 59 passes for 435 yards and a touchdown with five interceptions, and rushed for 312 yards and four touchdowns on 53 carries with a long of 60 yards.[4] Bauer also became the first Central Michigan quarterback to rush for over 100 yards in a game since Tommy Lazzaro in 2018.[5]
In 2023, Bauer played all 12 games and started nine, completing 163 out of 287 passing attempts for 1,881 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 156.75 passing yards. He also rushed for 365 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns on 121 carries, for a 3.0 average yards per carry.[4] Bauer was named the MAC West Offensive Player of the Week after the team's comeback victory against South Alabama.[6]
On December 4, 2023, Bauer announced that he would enter the transfer portal.[2]
Sam Houston
On December 17, 2023, Bauer announced that he would transfer to Sam Houston.[7] In his first career start with the Bearkats, Bauer threw for 76 yards and rushed for 72 more in a 10-7 victory over FIU.[8]
UT Martin
On December 17, 2024, Bauer announced that he would transfer to UT Martin.[9]
