Jake Retzlaff BYU Quarterback Profile and 2025 Season Outlook
Jake Retzlaff has quickly become a central figure for the BYU Cougars football team.
He won the starting quarterback job and kicked off BYU’s 2024 season with a bang, throwing for 348 yards and three touchdowns against Southern Illinois.
That game really put him on the map and raised expectations for what he might pull off this season.
Retzlaff’s path to BYU started at Riverside City College, where he made a name for himself in junior college football.
At BYU, he’s shown solid leadership and a sharp passing game, earning respect from coaches and teammates alike.
People still wonder about his consistency, but those early numbers suggest he’s one to keep an eye on.
| Game | Yards | Touchdowns | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois (2024) | 348 | 3 | 197.1 |
Fans and analysts are watching to see if Retzlaff keeps up this momentum.
You can check out more details and his background on the BYU Cougars roster.
Contents
Who Is Jake Retzlaff?
Jake Retzlaff leads the BYU offense as their starting quarterback.
He’s known for a strong arm and some real mobility, making waves in college football after transferring from junior college.
Early Life and Personal Background
Jake Retzlaff was born March 28, 2003, in Corona, California.
He grew up in Southern California in a family that valued discipline and hard work.
His Jewish heritage stands out at BYU, a school rooted in Latter-day Saints traditions.
Family and faith have always played a big part in his life.
He often credits his support system for helping him get through tough stretches.
Off the field, people describe Retzlaff as a quiet leader.
He keeps his focus on both academics and football, trying to juggle both with plenty of determination.
Moving from California to Utah wasn’t easy, and adjusting to BYU’s culture took some work.
Still, he seems to have settled in, growing comfortable with the team and campus life.
His background keeps shaping how he leads and competes, bringing a different perspective to the Cougars’ locker room.
High School Career
Retzlaff played at Centennial High School in Corona, California.
He took over as the starting quarterback, showing off his skills as both a passer and a runner.
His high school stats grabbed the attention of plenty of college programs.
| Season | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | 2,300+ | 400+ | 28 |
At Centennial, he learned the game quickly.
Coaches liked his poise under pressure and his willingness to learn from mistakes.
Those leadership traits turned him into a key player for the team.
Retzlaff’s big-game performances helped Centennial reach the playoffs.
Defenses had a tough time with his ability to improvise and throw on the move.
That mix of skills and leadership in high school set the stage for his college career.
You can dig deeper into his background here.
Collegiate Football Journey
Jake Retzlaff’s college football story has been all about change and growth.
He’s moved through different programs, showing resilience and steady improvement as a quarterback.
Riverside City College and Transfers
Retzlaff started his college career at Riverside City College after a year at Golden West College.
As a freshman at Riverside, he made an impression with his arm strength and leadership.
He helped Riverside City College have a strong season, showing off his passing skills and quick decisions.
Retzlaff racked up over 3,300 passing yards and tossed 38 touchdowns, making him one of the top junior college quarterbacks in 2022.
His numbers and control of the offense drew attention from several Division I schools.
Key Statistics at Riverside City College:
| Season | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3,302 | 38 | 8 |
After his breakout season, Retzlaff entered the transfer portal.
BYU moved fast, offering him a scholarship before the 2023 season.
BYU Football Career
Retzlaff joined BYU as a transfer and quickly became a big part of the football program.
He brought poise and accuracy, stepping up as the starting quarterback during the 2023 season.
His confidence running the offense and reading defenses improved steadily.
By 2024, Retzlaff had locked in the starting job.
He threw for 2,947 yards that season and helped BYU finish 11-2, including a strong bowl win.
His presence lined up well with BYU’s emphasis on leadership and excellence.
2024 BYU Quarterback Stats:
| Season | Passing Yards | Team Record | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,947 | 11-2 | Alamo Bowl Victory |
Retzlaff’s climb from junior college to BYU really shows his growth as a quarterback and his value to the Cougars’ recent run.
Performance Highlights and Statistics
Jake Retzlaff has put together a strong record as BYU’s quarterback.
He’s shown he can handle pressure and deliver in big moments.
His stats tell the story of a player who keeps growing and finding ways to make key plays.
Notable Games and Achievements
Retzlaff’s game against Oklahoma State stands out, with 348 yards and three touchdowns.
That performance got people talking and proved he could go toe-to-toe with top Big 12 teams.
He earned a spot as co-captain for the 2024 season and picked up All-Big 12 Honorable Mention from the coaches.
His quarterback grade of 91.8 ranked fifth in the country, which says a lot about his reliability as a starter.
He’s had several multi-touchdown games and often stepped up in tough situations.
In 2024, he led a bunch of drives that ended with eight or more touchdowns during key stretches.
You can check out his game log for 2024 for more highlights.
Career Passing Yards and Touchdowns
Retzlaff’s career numbers at BYU show how productive and steady he’s been.
| Season | Passing Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,302 | 23 |
| 2024 | 4,596 | 44 |
He’s managed to boost both his passing yards and touchdowns each season.
Those stats show he can move the ball and finish drives, plain and simple.
His 4,596 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2024 put him right up there with the best in the conference.
If you want more detailed numbers, check out Sports Reference.
Legal Challenges and Lawsuits
Jake Retzlaff, BYU’s quarterback, is facing serious legal issues after a Salt Lake County woman brought allegations against him.
These developments have led to a civil lawsuit and raised tough questions about his future in college football and his public reputation.
Sexual Assault Allegations and Investigations
In November 2023, a woman known as Jane Doe A.G. accused Jake Retzlaff of sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress after a meeting that started over social media.
The lawsuit claims the incident involved rape and strangulation.
Authorities carried out a rape kit examination as part of their investigation.
Even though this is a civil case, not a criminal one, it’s gotten attention from campus police and local law enforcement.
People have focused on things like text messages and medical reports, which court filings mention but haven’t released yet.
Attorneys in Salt Lake County point out that these investigations can drag on for months, with interviews, evidence reviews, and sometimes university probes running at the same time.
Civil Lawsuit and Court Proceedings
The civil lawsuit got filed on June 11, 2025, naming both Jake Retzlaff and his attorney, Mark Baute.
The suit asks for damages for rape, battery, and emotional distress.
It puts special emphasis on intentional infliction of emotional distress and lays out a timeline from the night in question to the days that followed.
Court proceedings could take months or longer as the judicial system works through filings and discovery.
Here’s a quick look at the legal details:
| Legal Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff | Jane Doe A.G. |
| Defendant | Jake Retzlaff |
| Main Allegations | Rape, battery, emotional distress, strangulation |
| Date of Alleged Incident | November 2023 |
| Type of Case | Civil lawsuit |
| Key Attorney | Mark Baute (for defense) |
| County | Salt Lake County |
Impact on Collegiate Career
These allegations and the ongoing civil lawsuit have affected Retzlaff’s role as BYU’s quarterback.
He’s stayed on the roster so far, and BYU has put out statements recognizing the legal process, but they haven’t announced any formal disciplinary moves.
There’s a real chance this could impact his name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, scholarships, or endorsements if the case moves forward or new evidence comes out.
Team officials and university leaders are keeping a close watch, trying to balance support for the legal process with protecting the school’s reputation.
Retzlaff’s future in college football will probably depend on how this case plays out.
Media and public attention are only growing as things develop.
For more information, check the detailed lawsuit explanation.
Investigation and Law Enforcement
The legal situation around Jake Retzlaff has put a spotlight on how local law enforcement and BYU responded.
Both law enforcement and university policies have played important roles since the allegations surfaced.
Actions by Provo Police Department
The Provo Police Department jumped in fast after a civil lawsuit named Jake Retzlaff in an alleged sexual assault case.
A big part of the lawsuit points to a Provo police officer telling the reported victim that sexual assault victims rarely get justice, which raised some eyebrows about how police handle these cases.
Department leaders launched a review to see how officers responded.
The media has kept a close eye on what Provo police have done, including statements about their process and the department’s protocol review.
For reference, here’s what the department has done lately:
| Step | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| Lawsuit made public | Department leadership reviews officer response |
| Media coverage intensifies | Public statements about investigative process |
| Internal protocol review | Check if officer followed proper procedure |
If you want more details on the department’s response, check out coverage from the Deseret News and KUTV.
Role of Title IX and University Policies
Title IX, a federal law, requires universities like BYU to investigate reports of sexual misconduct, no matter what the police find.
BYU’s process also has to follow privacy laws, so they can’t always share much with the public.
University investigations happen separately from police work.
BYU usually checks if students broke school rules, including Title IX policies about sexual misconduct and harassment.
The university’s Title IX office takes reports and starts its own review, even if the police handle things differently.
If the university finds anything actionable, BYU might hand down temporary suspensions, campus restrictions, or other administrative steps.
Their process is supposed to protect students while sticking to school rules and federal expectations.
University policy doesn’t always match criminal court standards, so the outcomes can be pretty different.
Media Coverage and Public Response
Media coverage of Jake Retzlaff’s situation at BYU has been everywhere, honestly, and it’s gotten pretty detailed.
News outlets and victim advocacy groups jumped in fast, each with their own take on the story.
Reporting by Local and National Outlets
After the civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault against Jake Retzlaff hit the news, reporters started covering it right away.
Local outlets like the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News put out in-depth updates, often quoting BYU and legal reps.
National news also picked up the story, pointing out the lack of criminal charges and focusing on the civil lawsuit.
Details like the May 2025 filing date spread quickly.
Coverage included official BYU responses, where the university acknowledged the lawsuit and explained how they’re following Title IX processes.
Here’s a quick summary of media coverage:
| Outlet | Coverage Focus | Date of Major Update |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake Tribune | Allegations, lawsuit details | May 2025 |
| Deseret News | BYU statements, university policy | May 2025 |
| National outlets | Case background, national impact | Late May 2025 |
Statements from Victim Advocates
Victim advocates weighed in with strong remarks about the need for real investigations and justice for people making allegations.
A lot of groups stressed how important it is to give survivors a voice and called for clear action from both the university and the legal system.
Advocates pointed out that civil lawsuits, even without criminal charges, can raise awareness and give alleged victims a way to seek justice.
They pushed for universities to take every allegation seriously and protect students.
Groups called on BYU to stick to all Title IX guidelines and reminded everyone how the media can hold institutions accountable.
The bigger conversation has really highlighted how much work remains to support people affected by sexual assault.
Personal Resilience and Future Outlook
Jake Retzlaff’s time with BYU football really shows grit and determination.
His journey isn’t just about the game; it brings up questions about integrity and what might come next after college.
Claims of Innocence and Legal Outcomes
Retzlaff has faced tough questions about off-field events during his college career.
He’s claimed innocence about incidents that happened before his time at BYU, especially during the pandemic when colleges everywhere seemed to be under a microscope.
Some reports from Southern Illinois floated around, but nobody has found solid evidence linking him to any wrongdoing.
So far, Retzlaff hasn’t been found guilty or charged in any case.
He’s stood by his claim of factual innocence, and the university has backed him while still following the process.
That’s let Retzlaff keep his focus on being a student-athlete and a leader for his team.
| Year | School | Games Played | Legal Issues | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Golden West | 8 | None | No action |
| 2021 | Southern Illinois | 0 | Unconfirmed rumors | Factually innocent |
| 2023-24 | BYU | 13 | No public allegations | Cleared, program support |
Prospects Beyond College Football
Retzlaff’s on-field future still grabs headlines at BYU. He threw for 2,947 yards in 2024, and his quarterback grade hit 91.8—fifth in the nation.
People have started to speculate about what he’ll do next. NFL scouts might be watching, but let’s be real, the competition is brutal and he’ll need to keep improving if he wants to stand out.
He played at Golden West and then Southern Illinois, where the whole covid-19 mess threw plenty of curveballs his way. That experience helped him get comfortable with uncertainty.
Retzlaff leads with a steady hand and doesn’t seem to rattle easily. BYU fans have noticed, and he’s earned a lot of support, even as the team debates its quarterback future. You can find more details in this overview of BYU’s quarterback situation.
If pro football doesn’t work out, his ability to stay focused under pressure might open up other doors—maybe coaching, maybe sports leadership. It’s hard to say for sure, but he’s got the drive to keep moving forward, using every win and setback as fuel.
