The sexual assault lawsuit against BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been dismissed by a joint motion filed in Salt Lake City’s 3rd District Court. Retzlaff’s attorneys and the accuser submitted the motion, citing prejudice and the merits of the case, which prevents the plaintiff from refiling the lawsuit. The dismissal follows allegations that Retzlaff engaged in consensual sex with the accuser, which he denied.
Retzlaff, who transferred to BYU in 2023, led the Cougars to an 11-2 record in 2024. He faces potential suspension from the university due to honor code violations, as engaging in consensual premarital sex is prohibited at BYU. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which oversees the university, enforces strict rules instructing students to live a chaste and virtuous life.
The lawsuit, which was filed in May, alleged that Retzlaff subjected the accuser to sexual assault after she attempted to leave his apartment in November 2023. However, Retzlaff’s attorneys claimed the two engaged in consensual sex, and the accuser’s allegations were described as ‘bizarre’ and ‘false.’ The dismissal, which occurred after new filings this past Friday, has removed the possibility of the plaintiff refiling the case. Retzlaff could transfer to another university to play a full season before potentially entering the NFL.
Retzlaff, 22, was not criminally charged but faces administrative suspension at BYU. The incident has raised questions about the intersection of campus policies, personal relationships, and legal accountability. While Retzlaff’s attorneys accused the accuser of extortion, citing that he had not heard from her for over a year, the university’s honor code remains a central factor in his potential suspension. The case has also sparked debate about the handling of sexual assault allegations in collegiate athletics and the influence of religious institutions on campus policies.
The dismissal of the lawsuit does not resolve Retzlaff’s potential suspension or his future in football. As he prepares to seek a transfer, the focus remains on his eligibility to play at the collegiate level and his prospects in the NFL draft. The case highlights broader issues surrounding sexual misconduct, campus rules, and the consequences faced by athletes in such situations. Retzlaff’s attorneys have emphasized the importance of due process and the need for a fair evaluation of the allegations, while the university continues to enforce its honor code with strict adherence to its religious principles.