Jake Retzlaff, the former BYU quarterback, has announced his transfer to Tulane University, marking a significant transition in his college football career. According to ESPN, Retzlaff has verbally committed to join the Tulane Green Wave as a walk-on, after undergoing a thorough background check, including from the university’s Title IX office. This decision follows his formal withdrawal from BYU on July 11, driven by the school’s intent to suspend him for seven games due to a violation of their honor code. Retzlaff is entering his fifth and final year of NCAA eligibility and will need to compete for the starting quarterback position upon arriving at Tulane.
The choice to leave BYU comes in light of personal and legal challenges Retzlaff faced, including a sexual assault allegation brought against him in May 2023. The plaintiff accused him of rape stemming from an incident in November 2023, a charge Retzlaff firmly denied, asserting that their encounter was consensual. Eventually, both parties reached a joint decision to dismiss the case in Salt Lake City’s 3rd District Court, preventing the plaintiff from refiling the lawsuit. This dismissal has provided some relief for Retzlaff as he navigates this difficult chapter in his life.
Retzlaff’s departure from BYU is particularly notable given the institution’s affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The school upholds a stringent honor code that requires students to maintain a chaste lifestyle, a principle Retzlaff, who is not a Mormon, unfortunately contravened. This situation has not only affected his playing eligibility but also posed a serious hurdle in his academic and athletic aspirations. As a result, with just one year of eligibility left as a graduate student, moving to Tulane represents an opportunity for him to secure a full season of play and potentially enhance his prospects for a professional football career.
Transitioning to Tulane’s football program, Retzlaff will be joining a team under Coach Jon Sumrall, who has previously recruited him to Troy before he ultimately chose BYU. The familiarity between the two may facilitate Retzlaff’s integration into the new environment, but Sumrall remains clear that Retzlaff will need to compete with other players to earn the starting quarterback role. This competitive atmosphere is vital for Retzlaff as he looks to reclaim his status and prove his capabilities on the field.
In the 2024 season at BYU, Retzlaff had a standout performance, leading his team to an impressive 11-2 record, accumulating 2,947 passing yards and throwing 20 touchdowns. With such accomplishments under his belt, he enters Tulane’s program during a pivotal time as they seek to improve from their recent 9-5 record. The expectation is high for both Retzlaff and the team, as they aim for an even more successful season in 2025 with the potential of him at quarterback.
As he embarks on this new chapter with the Green Wave, Retzlaff expresses gratitude for his experiences at BYU, acknowledging the personal growth he achieved during his time there. His journey underscores both the personal challenges of collegiate athletes and the stringent codes of conduct they are required to adhere to, illustrating the complex interplay of sports, personal life, and institutional policies within the college football landscape.
