The case against BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, which centered on accusations of sexual assault, has been dismissed. Reports indicate that both Retzlaff’s legal team and the woman who accused him submitted a joint motion to drop the lawsuit in Salt Lake City’s 3rd District Court. The motion means that the woman cannot refile the case against him in the future.
Retzlaff was allegedly preparing to leave BYU due to a possible seven-game suspension linked to breaking the school’s honor code. As a graduate student with one more year of eligibility, he might seek to play a full season elsewhere before considering the NFL. BYU, affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, enforces a strict honor code prohibiting premarital sex.
Although Retzlaff is not a member of the LDS Church, he is still required to comply with the honor code as a student. The woman, identified as Jane Doe A.G., initially sued Retzlaff for battery, assault, and emotional distress related to an incident at his apartment in November 2023. Despite these allegations, Retzlaff faced no criminal charges.
The woman claimed that after meeting Retzlaff through social media, she visited his apartment to play video games. According to ESPN, she alleged that he assaulted her when she tried to leave. However, Retzlaff denied these accusations in recent court filings, asserting that their encounter was consensual.
Retzlaff’s attorneys strongly refuted the allegations, describing them as “ridiculous and bizarre” and entirely false. They also suggested that the timing of the lawsuit was suspicious, coinciding with his status as an NFL Draft prospect, as reported by USA Today. The attorneys accused the woman of extortion, noting that she had not contacted Retzlaff for over a year before filing the suit.
After transferring to BYU in 2023, Retzlaff led the football team to an impressive 11-2 record in the 2024 season. Despite the lawsuit’s dismissal, Retzlaff still faces suspension from BYU due to the honor code violation. His future plans are uncertain, and it’s unclear which teams might be interested in him for the upcoming season.
With the legal issue resolved, Retzlaff is likely evaluating his next steps in his college football career. Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report, highlighting the ongoing coverage of Retzlaff’s situation. Fox News Digital continues to provide updates on this evolving story.
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