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Why did Jake Retzlaff transfer to Tulane? How former BYU QB landed with Green Wave
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- Why did Jake Retzlaff transfer to Tulane? How former BYU QB landed with Green Wave
The Week 3 college football matchup between Duke (1-1) and Tulane (2-0) is headlined by two veteran quarterbacks who joined their respective programs over the offseason.
The first is Darian Mensah , who helped Jon Sumrall build up the Green Wave into one of the top Group of Five programs in the country. He transferred in the offseason to Duke, where he has become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the country.
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Replacing Mensah in New Orleans is former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who transferred this past offseason out of BYU after he was likely to face a suspension as the result of a civil suit accusing him of sexual assault . The lawsuit was later dismissed .
Retzlaff has found some early success at Tulane , leading the Green Wave to consecutive wins against Northwestern and South Alabama, against whom he combined to record four total touchdowns.
"It's been a long offseason. So, I'm just so excited to be able to get on this field and play with these guys. I've gotten a great group of guys around me. I'm so fortunate," Retzlaff said after Tulane's Week 1 win over Northwestern.
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Retzlaff is set to make his third start at Tulane on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. ET vs. Duke at Yulman Stadium. But how did he land in New Orleans with the Green Wave?
Here's what to know on why Retzlaff is at Tulane:
Why did Jake Retzlaff transfer to Tulane?
Retzlaff didn't formally enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal. Given the fact he faced a seven-game suspension for violating BYU 's honor code after engaging in pre-marital sex, the Cougars wouldn't approve his request to enter the portal, according to reports .
To circumvent his inability to enter the portal, Retzlaff instead withdrew from BYU, later joining Tulane as a walk-on ahead of fall camp, per ESPN.
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Tulane reportedly spent more than a week doing background on the transfer quarterback and had the school's Title IX office review the move of Retzlaff joining the program given the severity and circumstances that led to him joining the Green Wave in the first place.
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Jake Retzlaff lawsuit at BYU, explained
Retzlaff faced a civil lawsuit from a Salt Lake County woman who accused him of sexually assaulting and raping her in November 2023. The woman also sought $300,000 in damages after she claimed Retzlaff "strangled and bit" her.
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On June 28, Retzlaff's lawyers and him denied the allegations the 6-foot-1 quarterback faced, saying he had consensual sex with the woman.
"Mr. Retzlaff specifically and categorically denies each and every and all allegations that he bit, raped or strangled (the woman), which are ridiculous and bizarre allegations, all of which are false and untrue," Retzlaff's lawyer wrote in response to the lawsuit, as previously reported by USA TODAY .
BYU, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has an honor code that states students must "live a chaste and virtuous life," which includes "abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman."
Retzlaff faced a seven-game suspension from BYU heading into the 2025 season if he stayed with the Cougars.
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The lawsuit was dismissed on June 30 according to ESPN reported after "the two sides agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice." Still, Retzlaff — facing BYU's suspension and not being granted to enter the transfer portal — announced his withdrawal from BYU on July 11.
He later enrolled at Tulane on July 27 .
"After a lot of prayer, reflection, and conversations with those I trust, I've made the difficult decision to officially withdraw and step away from the BYU football program," Retzlaff wrote in a statement posted to Instagram on July 11. "BYU has meant more to me than just football. It's been a place of growth — spiritually, mentally and physically. I'm grateful for every teammate, coach, staff member and fan who's supported me along the way. The relationships and memories I've made in Provo will always be a part of me.
"That said, I'm excited to turn the page and embrace the next chapter. My journey is far from over — and I'm more motivated than ever to keep chasing my goals."
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Jake Retzlaff stats
Here's a year-by-year breakdown of Retzlaff's stats at BYU and Tulane:
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2023:63 of 125 (50.4%) passing for 648 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions; 116 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 51 carries
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2024:213 of 368 (57.9%) passing for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions; 417 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 100 carries
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2025:31 of 55 (56.4%) passing for 277 yards and two touchdowns; 177 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 23 carries
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If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Jake Retzlaff at Tulane? Why BYU QB transferred to Green Wave
