There are various discussions and rumors circulating regarding Jake Retzlaff's status for the upcoming fall football season, particularly in light of the recent civil lawsuit filed against him.

Here's a breakdown of the situation and the basis for the speculation about him not playing:

Civil Lawsuit Allegations: The primary and most concrete reason for the "rumors" about him not playing is the civil lawsuit filed on May 21, 2025, by Jane Doe A.G. The lawsuit accuses Retzlaff of sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from an alleged incident in November 2023. These are very serious allegations, and even though they are part of a civil suit and no criminal charges have been filed, they cast a significant shadow over his immediate future with the team.

BYU's Honor Code and Title IX Process: As discussed previously, BYU has a strict Honor Code and a robust Title IX process.

• Honor Code Investigation: The university's Honor Code Office will likely conduct its own independent investigation into the allegations. If they find that Retzlaff violated the Honor Code, disciplinary actions (separate from any legal outcomes) could range from probation to suspension or even expulsion. Suspension from the university would directly prevent him from playing football.
• Title IX Investigation: The Title IX office will also conduct an investigation to determine if university policy regarding sexual misconduct was violated. The outcome of this investigation could also lead to disciplinary measures that affect his eligibility to play.
• Interim Measures: In some cases, universities may implement interim measures during an ongoing investigation, which could include temporarily suspending a student or athlete from activities to ensure safety or to prevent further disruption. While not confirmed, this is a possibility in high-profile cases.

Team and Coaching Staff Decisions: Regardless of legal or university disciplinary outcomes, the BYU coaching staff and athletic department will need to make a decision about Retzlaff's status. The presence of such serious allegations can be a major distraction for the team and impact team chemistry and public perception. Even if he is not officially suspended by the university, the coaching staff might choose to sideline him while the legal process and internal investigations unfold.

Media and Public Scrutiny: As a starting quarterback at a high-profile religious institution, Retzlaff is under intense public and media scrutiny. The pressure on BYU to address the situation appropriately is immense, which could influence decisions regarding his playing status.

Why the "Won't Play" Rumors are Strong:

The combination of the serious nature of the allegations, BYU's strict internal policies (Honor Code and Title IX), and the potential for significant reputational damage means that there is a strong possibility Retzlaff will not be on the field for the fall season, at least until there is greater clarity on the civil lawsuit and the university's internal investigations are complete. Even if found not liable in the civil suit, or if no criminal charges are filed, the internal BYU processes could still lead to disciplinary action.

It's important to remember that these are "rumors" in the sense that no official statement has been made by BYU or the football program regarding his playing status for the fall season. However, the underlying reasons for such speculation are rooted in the legal and institutional challenges he currently faces. There are strong indications and ongoing discussions suggesting that Jake Retzlaff may not play for BYU in the upcoming fall football season, primarily due to the serious civil lawsuit filed against him. While no official statement has been made by BYU or the football program regarding his playing status, the "rumors" stem from several significant factors:

Civil Lawsuit Allegations: A civil lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, accusing Jake Retzlaff of sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress based on an alleged incident in November 2023. The plaintiff claims Retzlaff "raped, strangled, and bit" her. Such severe allegations, even in a civil context and without criminal charges, create an immediate and substantial issue for his involvement with the team. Retzlaff's attorney has stated his client's "factual innocence" and that his focus this year will be on football.

BYU's Honor Code and Title IX Process:

• Honor Code Investigation: As a student at BYU, Retzlaff is subject to the university's Honor Code. Any alleged violation of this code can trigger an independent internal investigation by the Honor Code Office. If a violation is found, potential disciplinary actions by the university could include probation, suspension, or expulsion. A suspension or expulsion would directly prevent him from playing.
• Title IX Investigation: BYU has stated it is "following all processes and guidelines mandated by Title IX." This means the university's Title IX office will also conduct its own investigation into the allegations of sexual assault. This process is separate from the civil lawsuit and aims to determine if university policy was violated. Disciplinary measures resulting from a Title IX investigation could also impact his eligibility to play.
• Interim Measures: Universities sometimes implement interim measures during ongoing investigations, which could temporarily sideline a student or athlete from university activities, including sports, to ensure safety or to prevent further disruption.

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