The Seattle Seahawks are looking for depth behind Sam Darnold at quarterback, giving a look to a college standout with a controversial past.
Tulane’s football program shared that quarterback Jake Retzlaff earned a rookie minicamp invite with the Seahawks, giving him a chance to compete for a contract either with Seattle or another team. Retzlaff’s college career was marked by a high-profile transfer after he received discipline at BYU, but he will attempt to put that behind him as he aims to launch an NFL career.
Jake Retzlaff’s NFL Hopes Start in Seattle
Retzlaff was once a starter for an 11-2 BYU team, but transferred after he received a seven-game suspension for violating the school’s honor code amid sexual assault allegations. As ESPN reported last year, Retzlaff and his accuser agreed to dismiss a civil lawsuit against him, but the quarterback decided to leave BYU rather than face a long suspension.
“The parties jointly agreed to dismiss with prejudice, ending the case which was filed last month. None of the parties was immediately available for comment,” the report noted. “Retzlaff now plans to transfer from BYU as he faces a possible seven-game suspension for violating the school’s honor code by admitting to premarital sex during the legal proceedings, sources told ESPN. He has begun informing staff and teammates of his intention to leave, sources said.”
Though Retzlaff finished out his college career at Tulane, he returned to BYU to participate in the school’s pro day.
âWeâve always been in contact with [Retzlaff],â BYU coach Kalani Sitake told the Salt Lake Tribune. âEven though he wasnât playing for us, heâs still a part of our family.â
Sitake said the program kept a good relationship with the 6-foot-1 quarterback, leading to his late return to compete in front of NFL scouts.
âI mean, once a Cougar, always a cougar,â Sitake said. âWe cheered for him as his team went to the playoffs last year, and Iâm just really proud of what heâs been able to accomplish.â
Seahawks Address Offense With Top Draft Pick
After losing running back Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, the Seahawks tried to find a replacement with their top draft pick. The team landed Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price with the No. 32 overall pick, a move that earned some praise from former NFL quarterback turned analyst Brock Huard.
âThereâs kind of a baseline skill set to play running back in this system â that ability to read and jump cut,â Huard said, via Seattle Sports. â⦠Itâs not just straight-line speed, and thatâs where there was a massive drop-off.â
Price managed more than 1,400 yards over the last two seasons despite playing behind top prospect Jeremiyah Love. Huard said that Price had a good combination of size and skills for that draft spot.
âMike Washington from Arkansas is very athletic and even faster in a (40-yard) straight line, but not side to side â not in that vision and that feel and then that one cut thatâs just like, well, thatâs just different,â Huard said. âThese two running backs (from Notre Dame) were different (from the rest).â
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