Jake Retzlaff’s departure from BYU wasn’t just unexpected. It was a complete blindside that left college football insiders scrambling to figure out his next move. The quarterback isn’t following the usual transfer portal route, and the reason why makes this story even more compelling.
Retzlaff won’t be returning to BYU for the 2025 season, and he isn’t headed to the NCAA transfer portal either. Instead, the redshirt senior quarterback is quietly preparing for the next stop in his career by taking a backdoor route that’s turning heads around college football.
Why Is Jake Retzlaff Bypassing the Transfer Portal Completely?
The news broke over the weekend when ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that ex-Cougars QB Jake Retzlaff is “withdrawing from school at BYU” and “expected to take a transfer path that does not involve the NCAA Transfer portal.” Rather than enter the official portal, Retzlaff plans to enroll directly at a new school.
This unorthodox exit stems from a larger issue that forced BYU’s hand. According to a report from ESPN, Retzlaff was facing a likely seven-game suspension from BYU after admitting to premarital sex, a violation of the school’s honor code that surfaced during his response to a now-dismissed civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault. The lawsuit was thrown out in June, but the fallout left his standing at BYU in jeopardy.
The situation became even more complicated when CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz added crucial context, noting that while Retzlaff would’ve been eligible for the portal as a graduate, BYU “did not allow him to enter,” effectively forcing his hand.
BYU confirmed the quarterback’s departure, saying, “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.”
Which Schools Are Targeting Retzlaff as a Walk-On?
As the situation unfolded, BYU insider Ben Criddle shared some intriguing intel that reveals just how much interest Retzlaff is generating.
Posting on X, Criddle noted that Retzlaff may “walk-on” at his next school and listed several programs that have shown interest: Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Tulane, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, Stanford, and UNLV.
Jake Retzlaff to withdraw from school.
It appears he may “walk-on” at his next school.
Where do you think he’ll end up Cougar Nation?
P4 or G5?
Here are some of the schools I’ve been told have been interested in the talents of Jake Retzlaff:
Notre Dame
Oklahoma State
Tulane… https://t.co/lbW8UXrnkZ— Ben Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) July 11, 2025
That list includes multiple Power Four contenders and Group of Five programs, showing the wide range of options available to Retzlaff. The walk-on route gives him flexibility to land at a program that fits his goals without the restrictions of the transfer portal.
Retzlaff himself also addressed the situation with a heartfelt Instagram post, writing, “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… My journey is far from over, and I’m more motivated than ever to keep chasing my goals.”
The quarterback’s determination shines through in that message, and it’s clear he’s not letting this setback derail his football career. With multiple high-profile programs showing interest, Retzlaff has options that could put him in a position to compete for playing time in 2025.
The end result? One of the most talked-about quarterbacks on the market is making his move outside the spotlight, aiming to land at a new school by 2025. And thanks to insiders like Criddle, it’s becoming clearer where that next chapter may unfold.
