Report: QB Jake Retzlaff withdrawing from BYU, not expected to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff plans to withdraw from school and pursue a transfer path without involving the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to ESPN insider Pete Thamel. Retzlaff, who is reportedly facing a multi-game suspension for violating BYU’s strict student honor code, plans to simply enroll at a new school as a walk-on graduate transfer, rather than going through a formal transfer process, per Thamel.

Retzlaff is leaving BYU after admitting to a “consensual” sexual relationship in court documents after he was originally accused of sexual assault by a Salt Lake woman who filed a civil complaint in late May. The complaint allegedly stemmed from a November 2023 encounter in Retzlaff’s home. The woman has since withdrawn her civil complaint against Retzlaff, but his admission to having premarital sex still violates BYU’s student honor code.

Retzlaff announced the move himself Friday afternoon in a statement posted to his social media.

“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 posted, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. “BYU has meant more to me than just football. It’s been a place off growth — spiritually, mentally, and physically. I’m grateful for every teammate, coach, staff member, and fan who’s supported me along the way. The relationships and memories I’ve made in Provo will always be a part of me.

“That said, I’m excited to turn the page and embrace the next chapter. My journey is far from over — and I’m more motivated than ever to keep chasing my dreams.”

The 22-year-old Retzlaff, who graduated in April and thus is able to transfer wherever he pleases, threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns to 12 interceptions in 2024. He also ran for 417 yards and six scores.

It’s unclear what school Retzlaff might be considering transferring to, but wherever he goes, it’ll likely be as a walk-on, according to Nakos. Nakos also added Retzlaff’s decision to withdraw is because BYU officials didn’t include his name on its “designated student-athlete” list, which would have granted him special status and a one-time transfer portal opportunity.

Retzlaff and his attorneys denied the woman’s claims from the start, even as she sought punitive damages for alleged assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to court documents obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune. Retzlaff has never been charged criminally.

Reports of the civil lawsuit against Jake Retzlaff emerged in late May. The woman, identified in legal documents as “Jane Doe A.G.,” alleges Retzlaff assaulted her in November 2023 inside his home after they’d connected over social media and had been messaging for a month, per the Tribune.

Though the alleged victim revealed she originally met with police after having a rape kit exam done at a hospital days after the alleged assault, she initially withheld Retzlaff’s name, per the Tribune. According to her lawsuit, the woman admits she eventually identified Retzlaff to Provo police after an officer asked her because “someone else filed a complaint against a football player and police wanted to see if it was the same person,” the Tribune reports.

— On3’s Thomas Goldkamp and Nick Kosko contributed to this report.

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