Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
PROVO — BYU starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been put under a microscope throughout the past week by fans and media alike, and for good reason.
Following a strong 2024 season debut, the 6-foot-1, 205 pound junior put forth a frustrating performance in the Cougars' 18-15 win over SMU where some bad habits from last season resurfaced. Retzlaff finished 15-of-28 passing for 202 yards and one touchdown against two interceptions while losing a fumble.
As BYU prepares to take on Wyoming Saturday, some are anticipating a strong bounce-back performance from Retzlaff, but what will it prove moving forward? The Cowboys present a suspect team that lost to Arizona State 48-7 in Week 1 before dropping a home game against Idaho 17-13 the following week.
But with a formidable Kansas State team on tap the week after, followed by a gauntlet of top Big 12 opponents, the onus is on Retzlaff to present notable improvements — and fast.
So what has been the primary cause for Retzlaff's proclivity to turn the ball over through his six starts at the FBS level, and how can it be addressed effectively? Can it be addressed or has Retzlaff largely proven what he is with little hope of significant improvement moving forward?
While a bevy of fans and media have chimed in, we went to two former BYU quarterbacks (John Beck and Riley Nelson) to ask their respective opinions of what they've seen from Retzlaff, what needs to be fixed specifically, and then, finally, how to best apply those fixes.
Who is Jake Retzlaff?
Riley Nelson saw plenty of highs and lows during his time at BYU, oftentimes receiving criticism, but also warranting praise with some standout play.
Nelson drew comparisons with himself and Retzlaff regarding their respective styles of play during an interview conducted on ESPN 960 and can subsequently give insight few can with regards to who Retzlaff is and what he can be.
"Six games in and you kind of are who you are. ... Absent a system change, a program change or a truly transformational change of talent around you, then you know who the guy is," Nelson said.
Nelson does like certain aspects of Retzlaff's play, but any degree of optimism has largely been overwhelmed by his propensity to turn the ball over.
"While I appreciate his fight, and I like his moxie. … I'm more worried that he's going to do something more careless and reckless in a big spot rather than come up with a big play," Nelson said. "I'm not trying to go down hard on him, I'm just trying to give objective analysis."
John Beck incurred his own struggles at quarterback at BYU before rising above them to finish out his career in prime form. He's also worked closely with Retzlaff through his 3DQB program during the offseason, becoming keenly aware of the embattled quarterback's potential weaknesses, but also his strengths.
"There were some throws, that based on being around him, I know were uncharacteristic," Beck said when asked to review Retzlaff's latest performance. "I know that happens, and this is now an opportunity for him to bounce back from that and show what he can do."
But turning the ball over has become a huge problem for Retzlaff, considering his five interceptions thrown on top of his nine fumbles, four of which were turned over — all of which need to be addressed.
"I know that in the last six games that the ball has been turned over in funny ways … head-scratching ways where you say that just can't happen there," Beck said. "I guarantee that he recognizes it."
Nelson believes Retzlaff's multitude of mistakes can be acquitted with a congruent bevy of successes, but that largely hasn't been the case through his six games as the Cougars' starting quarterback.
"Turnovers are what turnovers are," Nelson said. "I was a guy who took some risks, especially when I went against better competition or when we were in tight games. I was probably more careless than I should have been with the football, but for me I don't see (enough) big plays coming up on third down. I don't see big plays coming up in the red zone.
"Most of Jake's success comes between the 20 (yard lines) and on first and second down. I need to see it on third down and in the red zone; and six games in I don't think I have."
How to fix it
Both Beck and Nelson have seen potential from Retzlaff and believe he can get it together and prove to be a consistent and effective starting quarterback. Both believe the process involves not abandoning what it takes to be a quarterback, but to employ better recognition of situations and to trust the system.
"Jake's style of football needs to remain creative, and he still needs to have his gunslinger (mentality)," Beck said. "But he needs to do it in a way where he's looking at the decision making of, does this give us an opportunity that is worth it? Is it a good time to do this or do I need to look at this decision as if I'm trying to do too much?"
Nelson believes Retzlaff needs to take notes from how Jaren Hall operated as BYU's quarterback before moving on to an NFL career. Hall possessed a great ability to improvise and make plays outside of the system, but largely divorced himself from doing as much in favor of minimizing mistakes and trusting the system.
"If you trust it — if you trust (offensive coordinator) Aaron Roderick, and if you play within the rules, it will work out for you far more than it will not," Nelson said. "They don't need you going off script. … They're going to highlight your skills enough that you're going to have an opportunity to be drafted in the NFL.
"This staff has proven that if you play within yourself and within the system, then they'll take you where you need to go and you'll be very successful leading your team in the meantime."
Although the season is still young, many observers believe BYU will field a competitive defense most weeks, which necessitates a more conservative approach from Retzlaff.
"You have to put your finger on the pulse that if your defense is playing lights out … you, as a quarterback, you have to be the consummate game manager," Nelson said. "You have to protect the football at all costs and play field position."
While Beck largely agrees with Nelson's assessment, he also cautions that putting too many restraints on Retzlaff may have an adverse effect.
"Take down the rearview mirrors," Beck said. "You can't look back and say, 'I have to make sure there's no more turnovers.' I've been in that position where the coach emphasizing that we're not a team that can turn the ball over right now, and when you hyper-focus on not turning the ball over, it alters your decision making.
"You can become indecisive at times. You lose a little bit of your creativity or your risk-taking ability. To play really well at quarterback you have to take risks and you have to know when to take them. If you're too hyper-focused on not turning the ball over then you won't play to your full potential."
