Jake Retzlaff was going to finish his college football at BYU until he was suspended for a violation of the university’s strict Honor Code. The quarterback, who played only last season at Tulane, is now back on campus in Provo for his Pro Day.
It makes perfect sense for him to return to the place it all began but should it be allowed?
NFL Draft prospects often return to their former college football programs to compete in front of scouts, especially in the transfer portal era. This specific arrangement with Retzlaff is different.
Jake Retzlaff was suspended in June for a violation of the Honor Code.
Retzlaff transferred to BYU in 2023 after impressive stints at Golden West College and Riverside City College. He won the starting quarterback job in 2024.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound signal-caller completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,947 yards with 20 touchdowns and ran for 417 yards and six touchdowns on 100 carries. The Cougars went 11-2.
Retzlaff was all set to return to BYU in 2025 and went through spring practice as the incumbent starter.
It all came crashing down in June.
A Utah woman filed a lawsuit against Jake Retzlaff that accused of assault and strangulation at the end of May. He vehemently denied the allegations and the case was later dismissed.
However, the quarterback admitted to having consensual intercourse. That is a direct violation of the strict Honor Code at Brigham Young University because he is not married.
Retzlaff was likely going to be suspended for up to seven games as a result of the violation so he decided to leave. Tulane ultimately brought him on as a transfer.
Its quarterback completed more than 60% of his passes for more than 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also ran for more than 600 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Green Wave went 11-3 en route to the College Football Playoff as AAC champions.
The Tulane quarterback is back at BYU for his Pro Day.
Most people consider Jake Retzlaff to be a late-round flier in the NFL Draft or high-priority signing as an Undrafted Free Agent. He could force a team to pick him in the 6th or 7th round with a strong showing at his Pro Day on Friday.
The 22-year-old quarterback will throw in front of NFL scouts on campus at BYU, not at Tulane.
Retzlaff never wanted to leave Provo in the first place. Plus, Jon Sumrall and his staff is now at Florida so his ties to New Orleans are not nearly as strong. The thin air in Utah might also give him an advantage.
It makes perfect sense that Retzlaff would want to throw at BYU over Tulane. This kind of arrangement is not uncommon. Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes threw at Utah’s Pro Day on Thursday. NFL prospects who played at smaller programs often join their nearest Power Five counterpart for Pro Days.
The return of Retzlaff is different. This is a guy who violated the Honor Code!
The most traditional portion of the Mormon community is not so sure he should be allowed back. Does the Honor Code not apply if you can throw a football? Would a non-athlete be reinstated if he or she admitted to intercourse before marriage? Why is he the exception to the rule?
First and foremost, Jake Retzlaff was only going to be suspended for seven games. He would’ve been allowed back on the field at the end of October if he did not transfer. A lot more time has passed!
Others see his return as a positive endorsement of BYU. The university and head football coach Kalani Sitake lead a culture of forgiveness and self-improvement. They allowed Retzlaff to return after a very public scandal because they do not give up on their own. Both sides are still in good standing.