Tulane fans didn’t have to wait long to see what new quarterback Jake Retzlaff could bring to the table. The former BYU Cougar guided the Green Wave to a 23-3 season-opening win over Northwestern in his first start since transferring from Provo.
He was calm, efficient, and in control, which is exactly what HC Jon Sumrall needed from him. But just a week into the season, Tulane’s quarterback story is already taking another turn.
Tulane’s Head Coach Jon Sumrall Makes Bold Statement on Quarterback Competition
On Tuesday, Sumrall made it clear that Retzlaff might not be the only quarterback taking snaps this weekend.
“If he’s [Brendan Sullivan] healthy, I think both guys will play Saturday. I really do,” the coach said. With those words, Sumrall confirmed what many suspected — the quarterback competition in New Orleans isn’t over just yet.
Tulane HC Jon Sumrall on QBs Brendan Sullivan and Jake Retzlaff:
“If he’s (Sullivan) healthy, I think both guys will play Saturday. I really do.”
— Jon Sokoloff (@JonSokoloff) September 2, 2025
That competition has been one of the most complicated parts of Tulane’s offseason. Last year’s starter, Darian Mensah, transferred to Duke. Kai Horton packed his bags for Washington. Ty Thompson flirted with leaving but returned as a tight end instead.
That left Sumrall with a hole at the most important position on the field. He didn’t hesitate, going into the transfer portal and pulling in four new quarterbacks: Retzlaff from BYU, Sullivan from Iowa, Kadin Semonza from Ball State, and Donovan Leary from Illinois.
It looked like Sullivan might have the inside track for much of the summer. The former Iowa QB came in with Big Ten experience and had impressed early, but injuries slowed his progress, opening the door for Retzlaff, who arrived in the summer. Retzlaff and Sumrall already had history — the coach had recruited him back in 2022 while coaching at Troy.
That familiarity helped Retzlaff settle quickly, and when Tulane needed someone to lead them in Week 1, he was ready.
Saturday’s Game Versus South Alabama Will Bring Answers on Tulane’s Situation
Now, though, Sullivan is working his way back. If he’s cleared to play against South Alabama, Tulane could try something a few teams can manage to pull off: a two-quarterback system.
Sometimes those experiments fizzle. Other times, they can create a spark that makes an offense harder to defend. Whether it’s alternating drives, specific packages, or even a few plays that put both quarterbacks on the field together, the Green Wave might get creative.
What’s certain is this: Retzlaff made the most of his first opportunity. He played with poise, handled the moment, and gave Tulane fans something to be excited about. But with Sullivan’s return looming, the story is still being written.
Sumrall needs to make the toughest decisions to increase Tulane’s chances of success. If it requires both quarterbacks to play in a game, he will do that on Saturday.
