Jake Retzlaff could become the first Jewish quarterback in the modern era of Tulane football if he wins the starting job after transferring from Brigham Young.

The move is meant to keep Retzlaff on the field despite his stumbles at BYU. But it also represents a dramatic shift in the Jewish character of his schools for Retzlaff, who grew up attending a Reform synagogue in Pomona, California.

Retzlaff made the decision to withdraw from BYU after facing a seven-game suspension related to a violation of the school's honor code. That suspension stemmed from allegations of sexual assault, which were later dismissed in a civil lawsuit, and BYU's strict policy prohibiting premarital sex, a rule Retzlaff admitted to violating.