Jake Retzlaff spent nearly a month in limbo after leaving BYU amid a civil lawsuit that dominated headlines and derailed his final college season. Now, the former Cougars starter has found his landing spot, but getting there required more legal review than anyone expected.
What Legal Hurdles Did Tulane Navigate to Secure Ex-BYU QB Jake Retzlaff?
Jake Retzlaff has officially committed to transfer to Tulane after a lengthy saga stemming from a civil lawsuit involving the former BYU quarterback.
NEWS: Former BYU QB Jake Retzlaff has committed to walk-on at Tulane, @PeteNakos_ reports🌊https://t.co/EOjcJUP9tB pic.twitter.com/k69TUw1XWF
— On3 (@On3sports) July 21, 2025
Retzlaff started every game for BYU in 2024 but faced a seven-game honor code suspension for premarital sex from the university related to a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman that was later dropped. The quarterback faced no criminal charges.
The suspension would have kept him out for most of his final college season, so Retzlaff chose to transfer. After announcing his transfer, the civil suit was dismissed, but he remained unsigned for nearly a month.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Tulane had to navigate several legal issues to land Retzlaff despite dismissing the case.
Sources: Former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has verbally committed to transfer to Tulane. The school has spent more than a week doing a vetting process, including the university’s Title IX office examining the case that resulted in Retzlaff withdrawing from BYU. pic.twitter.com/zikloU06Wi
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 21, 2025
The university’s Title IX office reviewed Retzlaff’s civil lawsuit and examined the case for over a week. Earlier this week, On3’s Pete Nakos revealed that several schools were interested in the quarterback, but their Title IX offices and general counsels were carefully reviewing Retzlaff’s case before moving forward.
It would appear that Tulane’s investigation found nothing that prevented them from signing the quarterback, and Retzlaff will likely be the program’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
The numbers from his 2024 campaign at BYU tell the story of a productive dual-threat quarterback. Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while adding 417 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Tulane lost its starting quarterback from 2024, Darian Mensah, to Duke via the transfer portal, creating a major need at the position. With Retzlaff now cleared to play by the university, he steps in to fill that role.
It is important to note though, that according to Nakos, a source has told him that despite his production with the Cougars, he won’t automatically get the starting job. He’ll be competing against Brendan Sullivan, a former Northwestern and Iowa passer, and Kadin Semonza, who won MAC Freshman of the Year last season with Ball State.
A source tells @On3sports that Jake Retzlaff has not been promised the starting job. Brendan Sullivan, Kadin Semonza and Retzlaff will compete.
Tulane opens camp next week. Retzlaff is expected to report to campus this week. https://t.co/rZdJogrSuA
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) July 21, 2025
The timing gives Retzlaff about a month to get up to speed in head coach Jon Sumrall’s offense, learn the playbook, and build chemistry with his new teammates before the season begins.
EDITOR’S PICK: BYU Faces Quarterback Shakeup as Jake Retzlaff Prepares To Transfer Amid Major Off-Field Allegations
After a long offseason for the young quarterback, he’s officially found a new home. The saga that began with legal trouble at BYU appears to have finally been put to rest. Coming into the American Conference, Retzlaff is eyeing a schedule that features a season opener against Northwestern.
They also have games lined up against Duke, Ole Miss, Memphis, and Florida Atlantic.
