The Jake Retzlaff lawsuit was a civil sexual assault complaint filed against the BYU quarterback in Utah state court on May 21, 2025, and jointly dismissed with prejudice on June 30, 2025. No criminal charges were ever filed. Retzlaff’s defense denied the assault allegations but acknowledged a consensual encounter, which violated BYU’s honor code. He withdrew from BYU in July 2025 and transferred to Tulane.
What the Lawsuit Alleged
A woman identified only as Jane Doe A.G. filed the complaint in Salt Lake County’s 3rd District Court. She alleged that in late November 2023, she and a friend visited Retzlaff’s apartment in Provo to play video games, and that after her friend left, Retzlaff initiated non-consensual sexual contact, ignored her verbal objections, pulled her hair, bit her lip hard enough to cut it, placed his hands around her neck and pressed down so she could not breathe, and raped her.1Los Angeles Times. Civil Lawsuit Accuses BYU Quarterback Jake Retzlaff of Raping Utah Woman in 2023
The complaint brought claims for battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and sought more than $300,000 in damages for emotional distress, humiliation, and anxiety.1Los Angeles Times. Civil Lawsuit Accuses BYU Quarterback Jake Retzlaff of Raping Utah Woman in 2023 An amended complaint followed on May 22, 2025.2Deseret News. Jake Retzlaff BYU QB Starting Sexual Assault Allegations
Why No Criminal Charges Were Filed
The Provo Police Department confirmed it received a phone report on November 27, 2023, from a woman whose account matched the later civil suit. According to the department, she declined to identify her alleged assailant despite several opportunities, and the case was closed after a victim’s advocate reached out multiple times without a response. Evidence collected was examined but produced no actionable investigative leads.3ESPN. Woman Sues BYU QB Jake Retzlaff Alleging Rape, Strangulation
The lawsuit alleged that a Provo officer later contacted the woman, that she identified Retzlaff at that time, and that the officer then discouraged her from pursuing charges. The police department denied that account.3ESPN. Woman Sues BYU QB Jake Retzlaff Alleging Rape, Strangulation Retzlaff was never charged criminally.4Yahoo Sports. Lawsuit Accusing Outgoing BYU QB Jake Retzlaff of Sexual Assault Dismissed by Both Parties
How Retzlaff Answered the Complaint
On June 27, 2025, Retzlaff’s legal team, led by attorney Mark Baute, filed a formal answer that “specifically and categorically” denied every allegation of violence or sexual assault. The filing described the November 2023 encounter as a “pleasant and entirely consensual evening.”5KSL Sports. Jake Retzlaff Response to Civil Lawsuit
The defense said the woman had initiated contact with Retzlaff through social media in October 2023 and arranged the visit herself. It said several of Retzlaff’s teammates and a female friend of the accuser were present earlier in the evening while the group played video games, and that none saw or heard anything unpleasant or coercive. It produced what it described as transcripts of text exchanges between the two continuing through February 2024 that were “fun and lighthearted.”5KSL Sports. Jake Retzlaff Response to Civil Lawsuit
Retzlaff’s attorneys also argued a financial motive, noting the suit was not filed until after Retzlaff had emerged as a potential NFL draft prospect following BYU’s bowl win over Colorado. They called the case an “extortion attempt” and alleged the accuser had previously named a different person as her assailant in the original police report.6Yahoo News. BYU Quarterback Jake Retzlaff Responds to Lawsuit
How the Case Was Dismissed
Three days after Retzlaff filed his answer, attorneys for both sides filed a joint motion to dismiss. Judge Coral Sanchez granted it on June 30, 2025, dismissing the lawsuit “with prejudice and upon the merits of the Plaintiff’s complaint against the Defendant.”4Yahoo Sports. Lawsuit Accusing Outgoing BYU QB Jake Retzlaff of Sexual Assault Dismissed by Both Parties Dismissal with prejudice means the plaintiff cannot refile the same claims.7KSL Sports. Jake Retzlaff Civil Lawsuit Dismissed
The order was signed by Judge Sanchez, by Terence L. Rooney for the plaintiff, and by Stephen R. Waldron for Retzlaff.8Daily Herald. Case Closed: The Civil Case Against Jake Retzlaff Dismissed The joint motion said each party would bear its own attorney’s fees, and no financial settlement appears in the public record of the filing.9Yahoo Sports. Motion Filed by Both Parties to Dismiss Retzlaff Lawsuit
Why Retzlaff Left BYU Anyway
Ending the civil case did not end Retzlaff’s problem with the school. BYU’s honor code requires students to “live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman.” By acknowledging a consensual sexual encounter in his defense filings, Retzlaff had effectively admitted to violating that policy.10The Athletic. BYU QB Jake Retzlaff Sexual Assault Lawsuit
BYU’s Title IX office opened a review. After a meeting with university officials, Retzlaff was told he would likely face a seven-game suspension.11Yahoo Sports. Why Did Jake Retzlaff Leave BYU The school said it was “following all processes and guidelines mandated by Title IX” and declined further comment, citing student privacy laws.12ESPN. QB Jake Retzlaff Announces Withdrawal From BYU
Rather than sit out most of the season, Retzlaff withdrew. He announced the decision on Instagram on July 11, 2025, writing that BYU had “been a place of growth — spiritually, mentally, and physically” and that he was “excited to turn the page and embrace the next chapter.”13KSL Sports. Jake Retzlaff Withdraws From BYU BYU Athletics said it “understands and respects Jake’s decision.”12ESPN. QB Jake Retzlaff Announces Withdrawal From BYU Head coach Kalani Sitake, at Big 12 media days, said he was “prepping for the worst-case scenario” and that the team would hold a quarterback competition.14The Athletic. Jake Retzlaff BYU Departure and Potential Suspension
Where Retzlaff Plays Now
By July 21, 2025, Retzlaff had committed to Tulane.11Yahoo Sports. Why Did Jake Retzlaff Leave BYU In his 2025 season with the Green Wave, he threw for 3,012 yards and 15 touchdowns with 7 interceptions, and added 14 rushing touchdowns.15PFF. Jake Retzlaff, Tulane Green Wave He returned to Provo for BYU’s 2026 Pro Day on March 20, 2026, to work out for NFL scouts.16BYU Cougars. Former Players Shine at BYU’s 2026 Pro Day Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, scouting services listed him as a free agent prospect.17Pro Draft Scouting. 2026 NFL Draft Rankings