Here’s an expanded 300‑word summary on Jake Retzlaff’s departure from BYU and his potential stay in the Big 12:
—
Jake Retzlaff, the 22‑year‑old quarterback who led BYU to an impressive 11‑2 season in 2024, including a dominant showing in the Alamo Bowl, has officially withdrawn from both the Cougars football program and Brigham Young University itself . Retzlaff’s decision came amid a looming seven‑game suspension tied to an honor code violation—acknowledged premarital sex—and a parallel civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, which was dismissed on June 30 in a joint motion .
In his own words via an Instagram statement, Retzlaff expressed deep gratitude for his time at BYU, citing personal growth and spiritual development, and said that prayer and counsel guided his decision to move on . Head coach Kalani Sitake echoed this sentiment, stating that he and the program valued Retzlaff and would defer to his own voice on the matter .
Now eligible to continue his football career elsewhere—and bypassing the transfer portal due to withdrawing rather than transferring—the quarterback faces both procedural and legal reviews from interested schools . NCAA transfer rules and Title IX protocols have slowed several programs, and timing is a critical concern with fall camps looming .
Despite those hurdles, Retzlaff remains a coveted name among Big 12 and Power 4 programs. Early speculation includes UCF, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and Notre Dame as potential landing spots, with UCF drawing recent interest given its quarterback instability and Big 12 ties .
As summer progresses and teams finalize rosters, the likelihood of Retzlaff remaining within the Big 12 remains strong. His blend of experience—nearly 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdowns last year—makes him a tempting option for programs needing a quick, proven starter .
In short: Retzlaff’s exit from BYU was fueled by honor code issues and legal complexity, but a Big 12 return appears likely, with a decision and new destination expected ahead of fall camp.
—
