BYU Quarterback Jake Retzlaff Makes Admission That Could End College Career Amid Sexual Assault Case

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BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff strongly denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman at his apartment in November of 2023. But Retzlaff did make an admission that could lead to the end of his college football career.

According to a report by Kevin Reynolds of the Salt Lake Tribune, Retzlaff claimed in a league filing that he had consensual sex with the woman alleging that he assaulted her. While that helps Retzlaff in his defense against the civil suit brought against him, it may harm his standing with the university.

BYU is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The school enforces an honor code that sets guidelines that employees and students are expected to follow. That honor code bans premarital sex and instructs students to ”live a chaste and virtuous life.”

Jake Retzlaff Could Be Suspended Or Expelled For Violating The BYU Honor Code

If the school determines that Retzlaff violated the honor code, he could be suspended from the team or even expelled from the university. And in case you were wondering how seriously the university takes honor code violations, there’s precedent to suggest that Retzlaff may not see the field for the Cougars this year or perhaps ever again.

In March of 2011, BYU dismissed star basketball player Brandon Davies just prior to the NCAA Tournament. BYU was 27-2 and ranked No. 3 in the nation according to the AP Poll.

Similarly, BYU running back Jamaal Williams sat out the entire 2015 football season after he was found to have violated the honor code. Williams later told reporters that he “had a girl” in his room.

Retzlaff is a redshirt senior, so if he is suspended or expelled from the university, it may be the end of his college playing days. He started 13 games for the Cougars in 2024, throwing for 2,947 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.