Ex-BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff commits to Tulane after rape allegations
He has verbally committed to Tulane, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Monday.
Thamel reported that Tulane 'spent more than a week doing a vetting process, including the university's Title IX office examining the case that resulted in Retzlaff withdrawing from BYU,' before the quarterback announced his commitment.
3 Jake Retzlaff of BYU was accused of rape from an incident in November 2023.
Getty Images
News of Retzlaff's move comes roughly two months after he was accused of rape and strangulation in a bombshell lawsuit. The alleged assault is claimed to have happened at the quarterback's Provo home in 2023.
Weeks later, it was revealed that Retzlaff was planning to leave BYU after admitting to having premarital sex, a violation of the school's honor code, as part of a response to the lawsuit. He would face a seven-game suspension entering the season.
The lawsuit was dismissed on June 30 as the sides filed a joint motion for dismissal.
He announced his BYU departure a short time later.
3 Jake Retzlaff at a press conference before the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 23, 2024.
Mario Cantu/CSM / Shutterstock
'After a lot of prayer, reflection, and conversations with those I trust, I've made the difficult decision to officially withdraw from BYU and step away from the BYU Football program,' he posted on Instagram in July.
Retzlaff is anticipated to enroll as a walk-on for the Green Wave, per Thamel.
He was a difference maker for the 11-2 Cougars last season after he threw for just under 3,000 yards and tallied 26 total touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
3 BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, left, looks to throw during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Provo, Utah.
AP
The QB now joins a Tulane team that is coming off a 9-5 season under new head coach Jon Sumrall, who spent his previous three seasons at Troy.
Retzlaff and Sumrall have a history with one another, as the quarterback took a visit to the coach at Troy when he was in the transfer portal after playing two junior college seasons.
'I'm excited to turn the page and embrace this next chapter,' Retzlaff said in an Instagram post when he announced his BYU departure. 'My journey is far from over — and I'm more motivated than ever to keep chasing my dreams.'
On July 11, BYU released a statement reading: 'We are grateful for the time Jake Retzlaff has spent at BYU. As he moves forward, BYU Athletics understands and respects Jake's decision to withdraw from BYU, and we wish him all the best as he enters the next phase of his career.'
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