Report: Big 12 QB in Midst of Scandal Withdrawing from School

Two months after a report accused a Big 12 quarterback of sexual assault, he’s now in search of a new team. Sources are now telling ESPN’s Pete Thamel that BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is withdrawing from school and planning to transfer.

Retzlaff also plans to transfer just by simply enrolling at a new school and without having to go through the transfer portal.

Sources: Quarterback Jake Retzlaff is withdrawing from school at BYU. He still plans on transferring and is expected to take a transfer path that does not involve the NCAA Transfer portal. He plans to simply enroll at a new school. pic.twitter.com/pEsKXHXgsH

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 11, 2025

Based on the initial report by the Salt Lake Tribune, an anonymous Salt Lake County woman filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, accusing Retzlaff of sexually assaulting her in November of 2023. She reported the incident to the police, but Retzlaff has not been charged with a crime to this point.

In her lawsuit, the woman claims the assault occurred in 2023 shortly after they first connected on social media. Also in the report, the woman went to the hospital a few days following the alleged incident. Her lawsuit also claims she did not initially name Retzlaff to police out of fear.

Retzlaff, 21, transferred to BYU in 2023, becoming the Cougars starter last season – the first Jewish starting quarterback in school history. He threw for 2,947 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while leading BYU to an 11-2 record.

BYU is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, requiring students are held to a strict honor code that includes prohibiting premarital and extramarital sex whether or not they are a member of the Mormon church.

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