Provo • BYU head coach Kalani Sitake is presiding over another quarterback battle in Provo.
But he will still have one eye on another quarterback 1,700 miles away.
His former quarterback, Jake Retzlaff, transferred to Tulane and is battling for the starting job. Retzlaff left BYU while facing a seven-game suspension for an Honor Code violation, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Sitake is hopeful Retzlaff will get the job with the Green Wave.
“It’s awesome. I’m happy for him,” Sitake said. “Obviously you guys know we love Retzlaff and appreciate all he’s done for us.”
His exit leaves a void BYU must fill at the most important position.
Among those competing for the job is former Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead. He learned under Retzlaff in 2024 when the Cougars went 11-2.
“Obviously we love Jake. You know the situation was pretty crazy,” Hillstead said. “Something about Jake I thought was super cool, he never faltered during a two-minute situation because he just wanted to win.
“I think sometimes you can get distracted with, ‘How can I manage this? How can I manage that?’” he continued. “But ultimately, the goal is just: How can we win here? And that was something that I thought was really cool.”
Fellow quarterback Treyson Bourguet also had a front row seat for Retzlaff’s season in 2024.
“He’s a competitor. Guy can grind out some wins,” said Bourguet, who’s hoping he can get his shot in 2025. “He can make some big throws, big-0time runs, take some hits, get right back up. Love Jake.”
Retzlaff’s exit is still hovering over the program until it can find its next leader.
Sitake knows that, but he’s also hoping its former leader finds a role, too.
“We’ll be cheering for him,” Sitake finished.