BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is facing a seven-game suspension and has confirmed plans to transfer from the school, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
Retzlaff, who admitted to premarital sex—an infraction of the university’s honor code—has been informed by school officials that the suspension will likely be enforced due to his involvement in a civil lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by a woman, alleges that Retzlaff raped her in 2023.
Retzlaff’s Suspension and Transfer Plans
The suspension stems from a violation of BYU’s strict honor code, which prohibits premarital sex. Retzlaff reportedly met with university officials on Friday, where he was informed of the likely seven-game suspension.
According to sources, Retzlaff has already begun informing teammates and staff of his intention to leave the university.
Despite this situation, Retzlaff had been participating in summer workouts and team practices, as the squad is currently on break until July 7. The team has started preparing its three backup quarterbacks—McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet, and Bear Bachmeier—in anticipation of Retzlaff’s potential absence.
The Lawsuit and Retzlaff’s Response
A civil lawsuit filed last month alleges that Retzlaff raped, strangled, and bit a woman in November 2023. In a legal response filed on Friday, Retzlaff’s lawyer denied the rape allegations, asserting that the encounter was consensual.
The response also stated that Retzlaff and the woman continued to communicate via lighthearted text messages for months after the alleged incident, characterizing the lawsuit as an extortion attempt based on Retzlaff’s rise as an NFL prospect.
Both the complaint and Retzlaff’s legal response agree that the two met via social media, which led to the woman visiting Retzlaff’s apartment to play video games on November 22, 2023. After the woman’s friend left, the lawsuit states, Retzlaff and the woman began watching a movie, which escalated into a physical encounter.
The woman reportedly tried to slow things down, saying “no” and “wait,” but the lawsuit claims Retzlaff continued to force himself on her, even after she attempted to leave.
The lawsuit includes graphic details, alleging that Retzlaff proceeded to rape the woman, after which she sought medical attention at a hospital.
A rape kit was conducted, and the woman’s injuries were photographed. Although the woman initially did not provide Retzlaff’s name to police, she later made contact with authorities in Provo, Utah. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against Retzlaff.
BYU’s Response
BYU has issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations but emphasized that it cannot provide further details due to federal privacy laws and university practices. The statement also mentioned that the university follows all processes mandated by Title IX, which deals with sexual harassment and assault.
Previous Honor Code Violations at BYU
Retzlaff’s case is not the first time a BYU athlete has faced a suspension due to an honor code violation related to premarital sex. In 2011, basketball player Brandon Davies was dismissed from the team for violating the honor code, even though the team had an impressive 27-2 record and was ranked No. 3 in the country at the time.
Davies was later reinstated in the fall of that year. Similarly, in 1999, running back Reno Mahe was suspended from school and left the football team. He later transferred to a junior college before returning to BYU.
Retzlaff’s Career and Future
Retzlaff, who graduated from BYU, played a key role in the team’s success in 2024, leading them to an 11-2 record. He started all 13 games that season, passing for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions.
As a result of his suspension, Retzlaff is expected to enter the transfer portal soon, though his next move is yet to be confirmed.
