The quarterback officially leaves BYU rather than face an Honor Code suspension.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU President Shane Reese, greets BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff as he holds the 2024 Alamo Bowl championship trophy during a visit to the Utah Capitol to be recognized by the Utah legislature for the team’s achievements on Wednesday February. 26, 2025.
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has officially withdrawn from the university and the football program, he announced in a statement on Friday.
“After a lot of prayer, reflection and conversations with those I trust, I’ve made the difficult decision to officially withdraw from BYU and step away from the BYU football program,” Retzlaff wrote. “… My journey is far from over and I’m more motivated than ever to keep chasing my goals.”
Retzlaff was facing a seven-game suspension from the university for violating the Honor Code, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. Retzlaff was sued in civil court by a woman who accused him of sexual assault. In answering the lawsuit, Retzlaff’s attorney said the quarterback had consensual sex with the woman.
The lawsuit has since been dismissed, but the school’s Honor Code prohibits, among other things, premarital sex.
Retzlaff started telling teammates and coaches he was moving on from the school several weeks ago, a source close to the situation said.
But how he gets to his next school is still uncertain. Retzlaff could enroll in his next school without transferring, ESPN reported. In that situation, he would be a walk-on, a source close to the situation said.
However, he would still need BYU’s approval to play at another school.
The football program has already signed his release, multiple sources told The Tribune, and are not blocking Retzlaff from any schools.
“We are grateful for the time Jake Retzlaff has spent at BYU,” the athletic department said in a statement to The Tribune. “As he moves forward, BYU athletics understands and respects Jake’s decision to withdraw from BYU, and we wish him all the best as he enters the next phase of his career.”
In his statement, Retzlaff said, “BYU has meant more to me than just football. It’s been a place of growth — spiritually, mentally, and physically. I’m grateful for every teammate, coach, staff member and fan who’s supported me along the way.”
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