Former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has secured a new opportunity just ahead of the 2025 college football season. After a tumultuous offseason that clouded his future with the Cougars, the quarterback has committed to joining the Tulane Green Wave for his final year of eligibility, as first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Retzlaff’s road to this decision has been anything but conventional. He played a pivotal role in BYU’s success last season, leading the team to an 11-2 record and earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors. Over the course of the season, he demonstrated his skill and leadership on the field, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards (2,947 to be exact), 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. On the ground, he added 417 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns—showcasing his dual-threat ability.
Despite his success in 2024, Retzlaff’s time in Provo came to an abrupt and complicated end. During the offseason, he faced serious personal and institutional challenges. Most notably, he was accused of raping a woman. However, those legal allegations were eventually dismissed as of June 30, 2025. Although he avoided criminal charges, Retzlaff admitted publicly to violating BYU’s stringent honor code, specifically for having premarital sex—a breach that would have led to a seven-game suspension had he remained with the university. This infraction put him in direct conflict with BYU’s expectations for student-athletes and made his continued tenure there unfeasible.
As a result, Retzlaff entered the transfer portal with limited time to find a new team before the season kicked off. With many programs already deep into offseason preparations and depth charts mostly set, there were concerns that schools might pass on him due to timing or the controversy surrounding his departure. However, Tulane emerged as a viable landing spot after evaluating his situation for more than a week.
Tulane’s football program, which finished 9-5 in 2024, has been dealing with its own quarterback turmoil. Earlier in the year, the Green Wave brought in TJ Finley, a transfer from Western Kentucky. However, Finley’s time with the team was cut short after he was arrested, prompting his departure. In addition to Finley, Tulane had welcomed three other quarterbacks via the transfer portal, but none of them had enrolled in time for spring practices, leaving the team with question marks at the most crucial position.
Given this backdrop, Retzlaff’s arrival in New Orleans offers both the player and the program a fresh start. For Tulane, Retzlaff represents a battle-tested, experienced quarterback with a proven track record of success in a Power Five conference. For Retzlaff, it’s a chance to reset his collegiate career, steer clear of further controversy, and focus on finishing strong in his last year of eligibility.
That said, Retzlaff is not guaranteed the starting job. Despite the quarterback room being in flux, competition remains stiff. The coaching staff will evaluate performance during fall camp, and Retzlaff will need to earn his spot on the field. Still, considering his experience and statistical productivity, he likely has the inside track, or at the very least, a realistic opportunity to lead the offense this fall.
His fit with Tulane could prove to be mutually beneficial. The Green Wave offense often emphasizes mobility and creativity at quarterback—traits that Retzlaff has exhibited throughout his career. His ability to extend plays with his legs, combined with a strong arm and comfort with up-tempo systems, makes him an ideal candidate to revitalize Tulane’s offense, which struggled with consistency last season.
From a broader perspective, this move speaks to the increasing fluidity in college football, where quarterbacks frequently transfer in search of the right opportunity—especially in today’s landscape of the transfer portal, NIL deals, and evolving eligibility rules. Retzlaff’s situation is particularly emblematic of how programs must weigh talent, off-field conduct, and institutional values when taking in new players.
Tulane’s due diligence in this matter suggests they are confident in Retzlaff’s ability to contribute positively to the team, both on and off the field. The administration and coaching staff spent time reviewing the legal situation and BYU’s internal processes before extending the offer. Their willingness to take him on indicates a belief that the issue is in the past and that Retzlaff is ready to move forward responsibly.
Retzlaff’s college football journey has now spanned multiple programs. Before joining BYU, he played at Riverside City College in California, where he became a highly sought-after JUCO quarterback. His recruitment by BYU was initially seen as a major win, and he lived up to expectations with a strong 2024 season.
Now at Tulane, he faces a different kind of challenge—earning trust, learning a new system quickly, and stepping into a leadership role in a short amount of time. With the season opener just weeks away, the pressure is on for Retzlaff to not only perform but also to show maturity and growth after a difficult offseason.
For fans and analysts alike, Retzlaff’s story will be one to watch this season. Can he replicate the production he delivered at BYU in a new setting? Will he be able to lead Tulane to a better record and potential conference contention? And perhaps most importantly, can he use this fresh start to redefine his legacy as a college football player?
Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Jake Retzlaff isn’t done yet. His path has been unconventional and at times rocky, but the quarterback now has one last chance to finish his college career on his own terms. With a new jersey, a new city, and a new team behind him, Retzlaff is poised to make the most of it.
