We’re less than two months away from the start of the 2025 college football season, but one power conference contender is suddenly looking for a quarterback.
On Friday, multiple outlets reported that BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is withdrawing from the school. He released a statement announcing that he is planning on transferring and enrolling at a new school.
“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 said in a statement. “BYU has meant more to me than just football. It’s been a place of 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.”
In a statement shared with Thamel, the BYU athletic department offered thanks to Retzlaff for his time with their football program.
“We are grateful for the time Jake Retzlaff has spent at BYU. As he moves forward, BYU Athletics understands and respects Jake’s decision to withdraw from BYU, and we wish him all the best as he enters the next phase of his career,” BYU athletics said in a statement.
Statement from BYU athletics: “We are grateful for the time Jake Retzlaff has spent at BYU. As he moves forward, BYU Athletics understands and respects Jake’s decision to withdraw from BYU, and we wish him all the best as he enters the next phase of his career.” https://t.co/EXy450kgwK
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 11, 2025
Retzlaff played in all 13 games for the Cougars in 2024. He finished the year with 2,947 passing yards and 20 touchdowns with a conference-leading 12 interceptions and had the team just one win away from playing for the Big 12 Conference title.
However, Retzlaff faced a seven-game suspension for the 2025 season for violating the school’s stringent honor code. Retzlaff admitted to engaging in premarital sex after being accused of sexual assault. Premarital sex is prohibited under BYU’s honor code.
Fortunately for Retzlaff, other schools do not have such restrictions, so he won’t be subject to the same suspension if and when he transfers.
Retzlaff’s timing might wind up keeping him off the field though. He’ll have a hard enough time finding a school with an open scholarship, let alone a starting job less than eight weeks before the first kickoff.
But even if 2025 isn’t his year, 2026 could see him become one of the top “free agents” in college football.
Related: Breaking: College Football Quarterback Suspended Indefinitely
