Facing a seven-game suspension for violating the school’s honor code, Retzlaff opted out of Provo to spend his last full year of eligibility on the football field. He impressed Tulane in his arrival, and he impressed BYU’s Chad Lewis in the wake of his departure.

BYU turned to true freshman Bear Bachmeier as its starting quarterback in the wake of former star Jake Retzlaff's departure, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz has confirmed. Bachmeier, who initially signed with Stanford before transferring to BYU in May, beat redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead and redshirt junior Treyson Bourguet in a fall camp competition.

BYU entered the offseason with questions at receiver, cornerback, defensive line and kick returning. Quarterback was not expected to be an issue with Jake Retzlaff expected to be back after a solid first season as the Cougars' starter.