Two Ways Jake Retzlaff Can Play After Transferring From BYU in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is expected to hit the transfer portal, according to multiple reports. However, his path to playing football in 2025 isn’t well defined.
After Retzlaff broke BYU’s honor code by admitting to having premarital sex, there were reports he would’ve been dealt a seven-game suspension. This was all tied to a civil lawsuit accusing the BYU quarterback of rape, but the case was dismissed last week.
His admission triggered plans to jump in the portal, but as of Sunday morning, Retzlaff has yet to make any official move, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
There are one of two ways for Retzlaff to play this year, with BYU possibly needing to assist him. The college football transfer portal window closed for all players in April. This means Retzlaff, who graduated from BYU this past spring, would be a grad transfer.
“Retzlaff could play immediately in the 2025 season for a new school if he secures a waiver,” sources have told On3. “With a case-specific situation, a school will have to file documentation and back the quarterback’s bid to transfer and play this fall.”
A waiver will be hard to come by for numerous reasons. Other FBS players with extenuating circumstances have been denied. Retzlaff’s other option is to enter a one-time transfer window established by the NCAA Committee on Legislative Relief. This is part of the House settlement and keeps the portal open to “Designated Student-Athlete” from July 7 to Aug. 5.
Nakos spelled out how Retzlaff would need BYU’s blessing to bypass the waiver process.
An athlete is eligible to be placed on a school’s list if they would have been removed from the institution’s 2025-26 roster due to new roster limits, were an eligible member of a team in 2024-25 and was recruited and assured a roster spot for the 2025-26 season. Every athlete who was eligible for competition on a team last year is eligible to be added to the list by their school if they would have lost their spot due to new roster limits.
Each list is controlled by the institution, and schools have agreed to “act in good faith.” If BYU were to place Jake Retzlaff on its “Designated Student-Athlete” list, it could be a clear way to enter the portal and play in 2025 without securing a waiver. That decision is in BYU’s hands, though.
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Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards with 26 total touchdowns and 12 interceptions last year. He led the Cougars to an 11-2 season and came into this season with Heisman hype.
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Now, there is a three-man QB battle with McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet, and Bear Bachmeier competing to be BYU’s starting quarterback.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.