LDS Church school could suspend QB for sex admission

As Jake Retzlaff seeks the dismissal of a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him, his new filing could have eligibility implications for the BYU quarterback.

Through his attorney, Retzlaff had previously denied the sexual assault allegations against him. But in his legal response filed Friday, he said that he had “consensual” sex with the woman who has accused him of assaulting her in November 2023.

The filing in Utah’s 3rd District Court will inevitably be considered by officials at BYU. The school is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enforces an honor code that sets guidelines that employees and students are expected to follow.

Among other things, the honor code prohibits premarital sex and instructs students to ”live a chaste and virtuous life."

Retzlaff, in his filing, said he and the woman had a “normal evening of consensual sexual interaction” at his apartment.

If school officials find he violated the BYU Honor Code, they could suspend him, based on past cases. In one high-profile example, BYU dismissed star basketball player Brandon Davies from its basketball team in March 2011 because he violated the school’s honor code provision that prohibits premarital sex. Davies rejoined the team in August of that year.

BYU running back Jamaal Williams sat out the entire 2015 football season and later revealed that it was due to an honor code violation. “I had a girl in my room,” he told reporters later.

The BYU Honor Code Office, meanwhile, states that “well over 90% of our cases are resolved with the student remaining fully enrolled at BYU.”

But if Retzlaff were to receive a lengthy suspension — such as five or more games — it could prompt the quarterback to look elsewhere to finish his college career.

Retzlaff only has one year left of college eligibility after graduating from BYU last year.

He has NFL aspirations and missing a large chunk of the season could put those in jeopardy.

A decision on Retzlaff’s football future will likely come quickly, as the Cougars begin football practice next month. If Retzlaff were to transfer, he would likely need to be on a roster by that time.

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