Just when his football future seemed most uncertain, Jake Retzlaff received a major vote of confidence. After off-field issues derailed his career at BYU, Retzlaff earned a fresh start Friday when he was named Tulane’s starting quarterback for Saturday’s season opener against Northwestern, giving him a chance to rewrite his story.
Who Will Start at Quarterback for Tulane?
ESPN’s Pete Thamel confirmed the news via X on Friday evening, announcing that Retzlaff had won a competitive quarterback battle during fall camp. The tweet noted that Tulane would start the former BYU transfer against Northwestern in today’s opener, which kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Source: Tulane will start BYU transfer Jake Retzlaff against Northwestern in the opener on Saturday. Iowa transfer Brendan Sullivan will be dressed and available for Tulane, as he returns from a lower body injury that’s limited him in practice recently. pic.twitter.com/C7tHWLXg7f
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 30, 2025
The decision from Green Wave HC Jon Sumrall came after he maintained that no quarterback had been promised the job, creating a genuine open competition. Ultimately, the walk-on Retzlaff won the battle over Illinois transfer Donovan Leary and Ball State transfer Kadin Semonza.
The achievement is even more impressive because he only joined Tulane in July. Despite the late arrival, Retzlaff brings proven dual-threat ability to the Green Wave offense.
In 2024, he completed 213 of 368 passes for 2,947 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also added 417 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground while earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition and helping BYU finish 11-2.
What Troubles Led Retzlaff to Transfer from BYU?
Retzlaff’s path to New Orleans became necessary after he withdrew from BYU in July following an honor code violation. He faced a planned seven-game suspension after acknowledging premarital sex, which violated the university’s strict standards for student-athletes.
This situation occurred even though a civil sexual assault lawsuit filed against him in May was dismissed with prejudice in June. Despite the legal victory, the honor code issue remained and would have sidelined Retzlaff for more than half of the 2025 season.
MORE READING: 16 Years After Last Game, Tulane HC Jon Sumrall Makes Hard Push for LSU Rivalry Return
Rather than serve the lengthy suspension, he chose to start over somewhere new. The decision meant leaving behind his historic role as BYU’s first Jewish starting quarterback. His choice carried deeper significance beyond football, as Tulane’s student body is approximately 44% Jewish, a stark contrast to the predominantly Mormon campus where he was one of only three Jewish students.
“It’s a cool deal. It’s so opposite from BYU. My faith is super important to me. So, that fact just made it that much sweeter to come here,” Retzlaff told WWNO radio. Fans and media have embraced the cultural shift with new nicknames, including “Kosher Cannon” and “Bayou Jew.”
What Is Brendan Sullivan’s Injury Status?
Adding to Retzlaff’s opportunity is the health of his main competition. According to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports, Iowa transfer Brendan Sullivan practiced this week but is still limited by an ankle injury.
Iowa transfer Brendan Sullivan practiced this week but is still working back from an ankle injury. His availability is still up in the air, a source tells @On3sports https://t.co/BP5zpmiQdW
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) August 30, 2025
Sullivan’s uncertain availability for today’s game could open the door for Retzlaff to solidify his position as the clear starter.
After months of turmoil, today’s game against Northwestern marks his first real chance to write a new chapter and prove he can bounce back on college football’s biggest stage.
