BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff plans to enter the transfer portal amid the controversy swirling around the signal-caller this offseason, the Salt Lake Tribune and ESPN reported Sunday.
Per the reports, Retzlaff is facing a seven-game suspension for violating the school’s honor code stemming from a sexual assault lawsuit that was filed in May. According to ESPN, he has already begun to inform teammates and coaches about his intention to leave.
Retzlaff, 22, was sued by a woman, identified as Jane Doe A.G. in Salt Lake County, Utah, alleging that he bit, raped and strangled her at his apartment in Provo in November 2023.
A lawyer for Retzlaff addressed the allegations Friday, calling them “ridiculous” and “bizarre” in a court filing that described the incident as consensual sex.
“Mr. Retzlaff specifically and categorically denies each and every and all allegations that he bit, raped or strangled (the woman), which are ridiculous and bizarre allegations, all of which are false and untrue,” the filing with the Third Judicial District Court read in part.
His admission of consensual sex still violates BYU’s honor code, which prohibits premarital sex.
Retzlaff, a California native who began his career playing for Riverside (Calif.) City College, transferred to BYU prior to the 2023 season. After starting the final four games in 2023, he won a training-camp battle to become the Cougars’ No. 1 quarterback in 2024. He led them to an 11-2 record and an Alamo Bowl win over Colorado.
He finished the campaign with 2,947 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound redshirt senior had been expected to reprise his starting role this fall.
–Field Level Media
