Entering BYU as the No. 1-ranked junior college QB in the country, Jake Retzlaff quickly became a starter for HC Kalani Sitake. And just as it was expected, he gave the Cougars a story to remember: Last season, the first-ever Jewish starter QB for BYU became the headline in Provo with marquee wins. That was, until ESPN reported a series of unfortunate updates, that entailed a civil lawsuit filed against the QB. The case was dismissed by all parties involved but the damage had already been done.

There was always this possibility that he would face a seven-game suspension for violating their code of honor. Only Retzlaff here wanted to close this matter entirely. His intentions were clear, and he finally made up his mind on July 1 via an official social media post underlining the decision to transfer. Facing a prospect of missing almost half a season, his decision to move out wasn’t a shocker. But the path he took is quite rare.

According to CBS Sports, “the program (was) not allowing him to enter the NCAA transfer portal.” Although that move this late in the calendar wasn’t exactly possible, he could exploit one loophole in the system – Exit BYU and re-enroll to another school as a graduate student. With this, Retzlaff may avoid the timing and contact restrictions of the portal, while preserving eligibility for the fall. While it looks achievable on the surface, former NFL QB, Danny Kanell, threw caution into the air. He argues that his options may be far more limited than what the hype suggests.

When the Cover 3 podcast host asked Kanell, “On the market, any team? I mean, what landing spots? Where does your mind drift when it comes to the Jake Retzlaff situation?,” Kanell had a clear warning waiting: “Not to a top-tier job. Like I don’t think I don’t think he’s going to a top half of the power-four type school. I think, this is interesting though. Is he a graduate? Is that how he’s doing this? He’s gotta be, right? ‘Cause otherwise, it’s like why is there a portal if you can just drop out and re-enroll at another place? But if you’re a graduate, you can do that.

“The market, there’s two things. One, I loved his story. Being a Jewish kid at a Mormon school made it big. He got a lot of attention and you kind of feel it’s a feel-good story at the time. It was a great story. I don’t think he would’ve been a hot commodity. He probably would have better options. So, you throw in that. Plus, the off-the-field issues that you’re dealing with. We don’t know all the details there but I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of great options for him,” Kanell said during his appearance on the Cover 3 podcast.

Last season, the then-redshirt junior led the team to marquee wins over Kansas State, SMU, Oklahoma State, and in-state rival Utah, throwing for 2,947 yards for 20 TDs and 11 INTs. Despite leading BYU to an 11–2 season and an Alamo Bowl win in 2024, some high-profile programs have already withdrawn interest. According to On3, Georgia and Tennessee are not expected to pursue Retzlaff, despite questions at quarterback. 

Still, when one door closes, another might crack open. While top-tier programs may be cooling on Retzlaff, not everyone’s ready to write him off. As the quarterback carousel spins into late summer, some analysts believe there’s still a home for him, particularly in places where depth, durability, and urgency collide. One program in particular has emerged in that conversation, thanks to a pointed suggestion from another college football insider.

From Provo to the Plains? The Case for Texas Tech

Jake Retzlaff’s next move remains one of the most talked-about debates in the college football world. But while the Power Four market appears cautious, some believe the right fit is hiding in plain sight. Out in Lubbock, Texas Tech is gearing up for a make-or-break campaign with big expectations and even bigger stakes. Their quarterback room is talented, but fragile. Retzlaff might just be the wildcard they didn’t know they needed for analyst Bud Elliott.

“Like Morton is constantly banged up or out with injury. Like, Texas Tech has to get to the championship game this year. Joey McGuire said it himself.” Bud said during his appearance on the Cover 3 podcast. “Like having a competent backup, I mean, he might be better than Morton. I don’t know. But like legit quarterback battle for a guy that’s always hurt. Like, Texas Tech’s got a ton of money. I would go to Texas Tech. Get a check,” he added.

While Texas Tech enters the 2025 season with ambition under coach Joey McGuire and a top-ranked transfer class, its quarterback situation carries risk. Behren Morton battled a grade‑5 AC shoulder sprain in 2023 but soldiered through most of 2024. But when the Liberty Bowl rolled around, Morton was ruled out due to shoulder surgery, forcing backup Will Hammond to step in. The Red Raiders fell 39–26 to the Razorbacks, capping a season that ended with more questions than closure under center.

For a program eyeing a Big 12 title run, durability concerns remain real. Morton may be back at full strength, but history has shown just how fast things can unravel. In that context, adding another capable quarterback isn’t a luxury; it’s insurance.

For Jake Retzlaff, the path forward is anything but guaranteed. His exit from BYU was unconventional, and opinions on his next chapter remain sharply divided. But in a sport where timing is everything, the right situation might still be waiting. Whether it’s Texas Tech or another program willing to take the chance, Retzlaff’s journey is far from over. The question now is who’s ready to bet their future on him?