The situation surrounding BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been a complex and rapidly evolving saga, culminating in his recent decision to leave the program. 

It began with a civil lawsuit filed against Retzlaff by an anonymous woman ("Jane Doe A.G.") in May 2025. The lawsuit alleged sexual assault, rape, strangulation, and biting during an incident in November 2023 at Retzlaff's Provo apartment. The plaintiff sought over $300,000 in damages for emotional distress and other harms, also claiming Provo police discouraged her from naming Retzlaff, a claim the police department denies. 

In late June 2025, Retzlaff, through his attorneys, filed a robust legal response. He categorically denied all allegations of sexual assault, rape, biting, and strangulation, labeling them "ridiculous and bizarre." Crucially, in this same filing, Retzlaff admitted to having engaged in consensual sexual relations with the plaintiff. He asserted they had "a pleasant and entirely consensual evening together" and presented text messages from weeks after the encounter as evidence of a "flirty" and "fun" ongoing rapport, challenging the plaintiff's claims. Retzlaff's response also painted the lawsuit as an "extortion attempt" timed to coincide with his rising profile as an NFL prospect after BYU's successful 2024 season. 

However, Retzlaff's admission of premarital sex, while a cornerstone of his legal defense, constituted a direct violation of BYU's strict Honor Code, which prohibits sexual relations outside of marriage. Faced with a potential seven-game suspension from the university for this Honor Code breach, Retzlaff reportedly informed coaches and teammates of his decision to transfer from BYU. This sudden departure creates a significant void at quarterback for the Cougars just weeks before the 2025 season. 

In a recent development (June 30, 2025), attorneys for both Jake Retzlaff and Jane Doe A.G. filed a joint motion to dismiss the civil lawsuit with prejudice. This means the case is effectively over and cannot be refiled. While the lawsuit's dismissal removes one layer of complexity, Retzlaff's decision to leave BYU due to the Honor Code violation and impending suspension remains, sending him to the transfer portal as one of the most high-profile quarterbacks seeking a new home. His ultimate destination and eligibility for the 2025 season at another institution are now major questions.

The recent departure of Jake Retzlaff from the BYU football program, stemming from an Honor Code violation related to a civil lawsuit, has undeniably created a void at the quarterback position. While Retzlaff was the incumbent starter, an objective look at his performance metrics, particularly his ESPN QBR (Quarterback Rating) from the 2024 season, suggests that his play was indeed below average for a Big 12 starter, opening the door for a potentially better signal-caller to emerge from within the current roster. 

In ESPN's QBR metric, which attempts to account for all of a quarterback's contributions to winning on a 0-100 scale, Retzlaff's rating was 57.1 through the non-conference portion of the 2024 season. While he showed flashes of brilliance and ranked high in "big-time throws" according to PFF (Pro Football Focus), his QBR was notably lower than other Big 12 quarterbacks like Brendan Sorsby (75.4), Sam Leavitt (69.3), and even a significantly injured Jalon Daniels (44.7), putting him near the bottom of the conference's starting QBs. This suggests inconsistency and a tendency for turnover-worthy plays, which were indeed a significant concern in his game. 

With Retzlaff now out, the competition for the starting job is wide open, and BYU may well have a better quarterback already on the roster or one capable of developing into a more consistent performer. The primary contenders are now: 

McCae Hillstead: A former Utah State transfer, Hillstead offers a blend of athleticism and prior FBS game experience, albeit limited. In 2023 at Utah State, he threw for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in limited action, demonstrating flashes of potential. His ability to extend plays and his understanding of the Big 12's defensive schemes could give him an edge. 

Treyson Bourguet: Coming from Western Michigan, Bourguet has also seen FBS game action, starting eight games over two years and throwing for over 1,300 yards. He possesses arm talent and has been developing within Aaron Roderick's system since transferring to BYU in 2024. 

Bear Bachmeier: The true freshman is perhaps the most intriguing and high-ceiling option. A highly touted four-star prospect who initially enrolled at Stanford before transferring to BYU, Bachmeier possesses exceptional raw talent, a strong arm, and dual-threat capabilities. While he lacks college experience, he competed for the starting job at Stanford in spring camp and is considered by some to be the most talented QB on BYU's roster. His ability to quickly grasp the playbook will be key, but his potential is undeniable. 

While Retzlaff brought experience, his statistical efficiency and decision-making were often questioned. The departure forces BYU to turn the page, but it also creates an opportunity for one of these younger, potentially more dynamic or consistent quarterbacks to seize the reins and lead the Cougars in the fall.

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