BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has formally denied all allegations in a civil lawsuit accusing him of rape, strangulation, and other forms of sexual violence stemming from a 2023 encounter at his Provo apartment.
In a response filed Friday in Utah’s Third Judicial District Court, Retzlaff’s attorneys described the lawsuit as containing “ridiculous and bizarre allegations” and asserted that the interaction with the woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, was entirely consensual.
The lawsuit, initially filed in May, alleges that Retzlaff met the woman on social media in October 2023 and invited her to his apartment on or around November 22. She claims she lost consciousness during the encounter and awoke to physical injuries consistent with rape and strangulation.
Retzlaff’s filing includes text messages between him and the plaintiff that continued into February 2024, which his legal team says show ongoing mutual interest and undermine her claims of trauma or abuse.
His lawyers emphasized that no criminal charges were filed and that the complaint is being addressed strictly as a civil matter.
BYU responded to the situation by acknowledging the lawsuit and affirming that it would adhere to all Title IX and university policies in its review. However, citing student privacy protections, the school declined to comment further on any potential investigations or disciplinary actions involving Retzlaff.
Another issue surrounding the situation is BYU’s Honor Code, which prohibits premarital sex and other behaviors, meaning that even if the civil case is dismissed, Retzlaff could face internal sanctions depending on how BYU interprets the incident.
Retzlaff, who threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, is entering his final year of eligibility and was expected to start again for BYU this fall. With fall camp looming and the Cougars preparing for their third Big 12 season, any absence or suspension would dramatically reshape their outlook.
BYU is already facing a challenging schedule in a loaded Big 12 field, and losing their starting quarterback, even temporarily, would complicate their chances to build on last year’s momentum.
The university has not announced whether it will initiate an Honor Code review, but previous precedents suggest that even consensual encounters can result in penalties if they violate university policy.
Retzlaff has also made it clear that he intends to pursue an NFL career following the 2025 season, which makes uninterrupted availability and strong performance this fall critical to his draft stock. Despite that, the legal and institutional processes now unfolding will determine whether that path remains viable or is derailed by off-the-field circumstances.
