Gordon Monson: Jake Retzlaff Expects to Suffer the Consequences of BYU’s Honor Code
By Gordon Monson — July 5, 2025 | Salt Lake Tribune:
In a story that has rippled through Provo and beyond, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is bracing for the repercussions of an alleged Honor Code violation — a turn of events that has left Cougar fans divided, administrators on high alert, and the broader college football community watching closely.
Sources close to the program confirmed to the Tribune that Retzlaff, a senior signal-caller known for his fiery competitiveness and charismatic leadership, self-reported a “serious lapse in judgment” last week, prompting an internal review by BYU’s Honor Code Office.
The specific nature of the violation has not been officially disclosed, though team insiders suggest it involved a late-night off-campus gathering during the summer break — one that included alcohol, guests not enrolled at BYU, and a breach of team curfew. Though not criminal in any form, the incident stands in direct conflict with BYU’s long-standing Honor Code, which explicitly prohibits the consumption of alcohol, engaging in intimate relationships outside marriage, and violating established university standards of conduct.
What makes this case unique — and intensely public — is that Retzlaff isn’t just any player. He’s expected to start under center this fall, with many analysts predicting he could lead BYU to its strongest Big 12 showing yet. He’s also been a vocal advocate for personal responsibility, often speaking to recruits and fans about the importance of discipline both on and off the field.
And now, Retzlaff appears ready to face the storm head-on.
> “I knew what I signed up for when I came to BYU,” Retzlaff told team officials in a private meeting, according to a source close to the athletic department. “I’m not running from this. Whatever happens, I’ll own it.”
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, who has long walked the fine line between defending his players and upholding the university’s faith-based mission, issued a brief but pointed statement:
> “Jake is a young man of integrity. He’s admitted to a mistake, and we’re working with him — and the Honor Code Office — to navigate the process with humility, faith, and accountability.”
The fallout, however, is complex. Retzlaff could face a range of consequences: from a brief suspension, to community service and Honor Code probation, to even temporary withdrawal from the university, depending on the final ruling.
There’s precedent, of course. BYU has made national headlines over the years for enforcing its strict behavioral code — sometimes praised for its consistency, sometimes criticized for what detractors call “overreach” in modern collegiate athletics. But for many within the BYU community, the Honor Code isn’t just policy. It’s identity.
> “This isn’t about punishing Jake,” said a former BYU player who requested anonymity. “It’s about preserving the values we all agreed to live by. The fact that Jake is facing it with maturity? That shows character.”
Retzlaff’s teammates have reportedly rallied around him, and his leadership has not diminished within the locker room. In fact, several players have privately noted that Retzlaff’s willingness to self-report has only strengthened their respect for him.
The final decision from the Honor Code Office is expected in the next two weeks. Until then, Jake Retzlaff will continue to train, attend voluntary workouts, and prepare — not just to be BYU’s starting quarterback, but to be a young man living the values he once only spoke about.
In a college football world obsessed with NIL deals, transfer portals, and playoff brackets, this is a different kind of story — one rooted in accountability, personal growth, and the consequences of choice.
And if Jake Retzlaff emerges from this chapter stronger, wiser, and still wearing Cougar blue? That may be his greatest victory yet.
