FRISCO, Texas — BYU football Coach Kalani Sitake declined to address the status of quarterback Jake Retzlaff on Tuesday amid reports that the quarterback is transferring after being accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit that was dismissed.
Retzlaff reportedly plans to enter the transfer portal rather than face a suspension for violating the honor code at the university, which is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormon church. Retzlaff acknowledged a consensual sexual relationship in his defense against the lawsuit.
A section of BYU’s Church Educational System Honor Code reads, “Live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman. Living a chaste and virtuous life also includes abstaining from same-sex romantic behavior.” ESPN reported, citing sources, Retzlaff was facing a seven-game suspension for violating the honor code.
“I think it’ll be inappropriate for me to make a statement on his situation first,” Sitake said at Big 12 football media days. “I think that’s his right. I think it’s a private matter that he can speak for himself, and I’m going to give him the opportunity to do that.”
Asked about how the team was reacting to losing the quarterback who started 13 games in 2024, Sitake spoke generally about competition among quarterbacks without acknowledging whether Retzlaff was still on the roster.
Assuming Retzlaff is moving on, the Cougars will have a quarterback competition in preseason workouts. Stanford transfer Bear Bachmeier and McCae Hillstead, who previously was at Utah State, are considered the frontrunners.
“I think for me it’s just allowing the guys to compete in the quarterback room we have,” Sitake said. “The fortunate part for me is I have a coaching staff that was able to keep intact. And so there’s always a knowledge of the offense for the guys that are there and then we have incoming talent that I think it’d be really special for us.
“So let’s settle it on the field, let them compete and then I only know one way and I just play the best guys. That’s how it works.”
Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions as the Cougars contended for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game before settling for an 11-2 finish that included an Alamo Bowl victory over Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Colorado.
Rogers standout Braxton Lindsey, a 3-star linebacker prospect in the class of 2026 according to 247Sports, committed to BYU on Monday. He chose the Cougars over finalists Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Miami.
BYU running back LJ Martin, right, speaks as teammate defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa looks on during the Big 12 NCAA college football media days in Frisco, Texas, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)