Trailblazing QB Jake Retzlaff leading the way for BYU

The surprising BYU Cougars are undefeated, ranked No. 14 in the AP Top 25 and tied with No. 11 Iowa State atop the Big 12 Conference standings.

Leading the way for the Cougars is trailblazing quarterback Jake Retzlaff . At a university with a 99% Mormon student body , the "face" of the school's football team proudly showcases his Jewish faith.

The redshirt junior is the first Jewish starting QB in the history of the BYU football program and the only starting Jewish QB at the FBS level.

Through the first five games of the 2024 campaign, Retzlaff has completed 61.2% of his passes for 1,208 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is also the team's leading rusher with 156 yards and one TD on 34 carries.

A southern California native, Retzlaff received no scholarship offers out of high school. He received attention from BYU after putting up incredible numbers at the junior college (JUCO) level. At Riverside City College, he threw for 4,596 yards and 44 TDs in 2022. After backing up Kedon Slovis in 2023, he earned the starting job this season.

In an interview with BYUtv Sports Nation in September, Retzlaff said BYU has proven to be the perfect landing spot for him.

"There's no way to describe it other than I'm in the place I'm supposed to be right now," Retzlaff said. "It was a roller coaster of a ride ... I'm grateful for every part of it — wouldn't change any of it."

Retzlaff is accustomed to being surrounded by people of other faiths and feels welcome on the BYU campus.

"Me and my two brothers were really the only two Jewish athletes (in my town) growing up," Retzlaff said in a recent interview with CBS Sports. "I love to be able to be a beacon and just to inspire somebody. If it's one, then it's enough ... Everything is so faith-oriented. You would think everyone is doing their own thing, but it's the opposite. Everyone is so embraceful of every faith on campus."

As revealed in interviews televised by ESPN's "College GameDay," Retzlaff's teammates support his devotion to his Jewish faith and heritage.

BYU is currently projected to win the Big 12 Conference championship. If that projection comes to fruition, the Cougars and Retzlaff will receive a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.