Ex-BYU QB Jake Retzlaff returns to Provo after Tulane exit
Former Cougars passer announces his return to the program after college football playoff appearance last season.
Ex-BYU QB Jake Retzlaff returns to Provo after Tulane exit originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . We are one month out from the 2026 NFL Draft, and Jake Retzlaff has decided to partake in pro day at BYU rather than at Tulane, where he spent his final season playing college football.
This was a surprise addition to BYU’s pro day after the school suspended Retzlaff before the 2025-26 for violating the university's honor code by engaging in premarital intercourse. The decision to suspend Retzlaff ultimately led to him deciding to transfer to Tulane for his final season, where he threw for 3,168 yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 634 rushing yards, and 16 rushing touchdowns, and led the Green Wave to the College Football Playoff. In his lone season starting for BYU, he led them to an 11-2 record, posting 2,947 yards and 26 total touchdowns.
Retzlaff did not participate in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, or bench press drills. He did finish the day, though, as the main QB on the field, highlighted by accurate deep balls to Chase Roberts and Carson Ryan. “We’ve always been in contact with [Retzlaff],” BYU coach Kalani Sitake told the Salt Lake Tribune .
“Even though he wasn’t playing for us, he’s still a part of our family—once a Cougar, always a Cougar. We cheered for him as his team went to the playoffs last year, and I’m just really proud of what he’s been able to accomplish. NFL Draft analyst, Mel Kiper, has Retzlaff going in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft in April 23rd.