BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff reportedly to transfer from program amid civil lawsuit

Still in the midst of a civil lawsuit that alleges BYU starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff sexually assaulted a woman in November 2023, Retzlaff has reportedly decided to transfer away from the program.

On Sunday afternoon, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Retzlaff has "begun informing the staff and players of his plans to leave."

The lawsuit filed by an anonymous Salt Lake County woman was initially filed on May 21, and besides a statement made by Retzlaff's lawyer on the same day saying the quarterback was "factually innocent," no additional news had come out.

Until Friday.

On June 27, Retzlaff denied the claims that he raped and strangled the woman, but did say that he had consensual sex with her on the same date that the civil lawsuit lists.

This statement by Retzlaff about the events that took place in November 2023 is in direct violation of BYU's Honor Code, which states that students must abstain "from sexual relations outside marriage."

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the school was prepared to suspend the quarterback for seven games, but it appears Retzlaff will avoid suspension and go elsewhere to play his final collegiate season.

An anonymous source, a former football player who is still close with the team, told the Daily Universe that he has Notre Dame as the potential landing spot for Retzlaff.

Northwestern and Utah were two other programs Retzlaff was potentially interested in according to Salt City Sports on Twitter, but no links between Retzlaff and these schools are verified by the parties themselves. Those are just reports.

Retzlaff, who led the Cougars to an 11-2 record in 2024, is one of the highest profile quarterbacks ever to enter the transfer portal this late into the offseason.

The civil lawsuit remains ongoing.