BYU Quarterback Plans Move Amid Suspension
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is considering transferring after being suspended for seven games, a penalty he attributes to a violation of the school’s honor code connected to sexual assault allegations against him.
Having just one year left of eligibility in graduate school, he intends to seek opportunities at a different institution for the upcoming 2025 college football season. The Salt Lake Tribune mentioned that Retzlaff anticipates a prolonged absence from BYU, which is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Interestingly, the honor code at BYU strictly prohibits engaging in premarital sex, with requirements for students to “live a chaste and integral life,” according to the Tribune. It’s worth noting that Retzlaff is not a member of the LDS Church, yet the honor code applies to all students at BYU.
A woman, referred to as Jane Doe AG, has accused Retzlaff of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed last May. This suit brings serious allegations against him, including battery, assault, and intentional emotional distress related to incidents that supposedly occurred in his apartment.
Despite the gravity of the claims, Retzlaff, 22, has not faced any criminal charges. The lawsuit claims he met the woman through social media and invited her over to play video games. According to the complaint, things escalated after they started kissing, with Retzlaff allegedly disregarding her request to stop.
The initial complaint stated that Retzlaff physically assaulted the woman, but in a recent court filing, he denied all allegations, asserting that the sexual activities between them were consensual. “Mr. Retzlaff explicitly denies all accusations of rape and strangulation,” his lawyer claimed, describing the allegations as bizarre and completely false.
Additionally, Retzlaff’s attorneys suggested that the woman’s claims have emerged only now as he garners attention due to his prospects in the NFL Draft.
Retzlaff joined BYU in 2023 and recorded an impressive 11-2 season with the Cougars in 2024. However, it remains uncertain where he will transfer or which programs might be interested in acquiring him.
