As one of only three Jewish students at BYU, where over 98 % of the campus adheres to the Mormon faith, Retzlaff earned the affectionate nickname “BYJew. ” Jake Retzlaff, Brigham Young University’s first Jewish starting quarterback,

Retzlaff made the decision to withdraw from BYU after facing a seven-game suspension related to a violation of the school's honor code. That suspension stemmed from allegations of sexual assault, which were later dismissed in a civil lawsuit, and BYU's strict policy prohibiting premarital sex, a rule Retzlaff admitted to violating.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) and Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Jojo Phillips (13) celebrate a touchdown as BYU hosts Southern Illinois, NCAA football in Provo on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.