Jayden de Laura wasn’t named the starting quarterback for game one of the 2021 season. Despite that, he quickly stepped into the spotlight and delivered a season to remember.
de Laura, who picked up some early playing time last year, had his first real chance to see some playing time this year. The second year freshman led the Pac-12 with 2,751 passing years and 23 passing touchdowns. He also led the team to a 7-5 record, another bowl berth and the team’s first Apple Cup victory in nearly a decade. As a reward for those accomplishments, de Laura was named the Pac-12 offensive freshman of the year on Tuesday.