BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff: 'I want to be at the Heisman ceremony'
BYU football wrapped up spring practice last week and held a final media availability on Monday at the Student Athlete Building on campus.
During star quarterback Jake Retzlaff's interview he made one comment that stood out among the rest.
"I want to be at the Heisman ceremony," he said. "I think I am the caliber of player that can be there."
Retzlaff, who had no Division 1 offers coming out of high school, started his collegiate career at Golden West College before transferring to Riverside City College, where he became the nation's best JUCO quarterback prospect.
Last season, Retzlaff broke out as BYU's full-time starter en route to an 11-2 season that saw the quarterback gain national praise.
With the precedent set last season, Retzlaff now has lofty expectations for 2025.
"I want to throw for over 30 touchdowns and single-digit interceptions," Retzlaff said.
Raising his completion percentage is also an area of focus for Retzlaff and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. Last season, Retzlaff only completed 57.9% of his passes, a number that every quarterback would note needs significant improvement.
As far as team goals, Retzlaff has made it clear that a national championship is on everyone's mind. Hitting that benchmark starts with the quarterback.
"I can't just go tell somebody to go watch extra film and hit extra workouts when I'm not doing something like that," Retzlaff said.
Even the small things are just as big for BYU's outright leader.
"Our locker room right now should be clean," Retzlaff said. "If I go down there right now it should be clean. If not, then we're having conversations. Everything from your locker, to the way your stuff is all kept in order, to your school work ... it is the standard.
"When you talk about keeping that standard, the hardest part is that you are the standard," Retzlaff added.
After the semester ends at the end of April, Retzlaff will go back to California to work out with former Cougar quarterback and current quarterback trainer John Beck.
According to Retzlaff, the standard is now set. It will be up to him to make sure it is met.