The Arizona Wildcats could have a completely different outlook next season, depending on the roster’s makeup. Head coach Jedd Fisch is out after leading the team to a double-digit win season, just their second since 1999. Longtime quarterback Jayden De Laura is also officially departing Tucson, per Chris Hummer of 247Sports, with the gunslinger committing to the Texas State Bobcats.
Texas State has landed a commitment from Arizona transfer QB Jayden de Laura, who has thrown for 8,489 yards and 63 TDs in his career.
Big pickup for the Bobcats, who just finished 11th nationally in points per game in Year 1 under G.J. Kinne. https://t.co/958gpNoev7 pic.twitter.com/eOVBO7DCba
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 15, 2024
De Laura entered the transfer portal on Christmas Day, well before Fisch announced his departure from the program. However, De Laura will not return. Additionally, running back Jonah Coleman entered the transfer portal on Monday, potentially the first domino to fall with Fisch leaving for the Washington Huskies.
Arizona Wildcats QB Jayden De Laura: Spent Two Seasons with ‘Cats
De Laura started his college career with the Washington State Cougars, playing two seasons in Pullman. He shined during his final season with the Cougars, throwing for 2,798 yards and 23 touchdowns against nine picks. De Laura transferred to the Arizona Wildcats in 2022, throwing for a new career-high 3,685 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also tallied four rushing touchdowns. His best game of the season was against Colorado in early October. The six-foot gunslinger went 33-of-46 for 484 yards and six scores in an Arizona win.
De Laura started the season for the Wildcats, but an injury sidelined him, with the team turning to Noah Fifita. He finished the year with a sparkling 70% completion percentage with 1,120 passing yards and ten touchdowns in seven games. However, Fifita became the guy in Tucson, tossing 25 touchdowns to just six picks in 12 games. Fifita led the Wildcats to a win over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Alamo Bowl.
De Laura will fill in on a jump-start Texas State Bobcats squad. They won eight games last season, their most since joining the FBS in 2012. Former Tulsa quarterback G.J. Kinne coached the Bobcats last season. Quarterback TJ Finley threw for 3,449 yards and 24 touchdowns against eight picks.
Arizona Wildcats: 2024 Outlook
The Wildcats must find their next head coach after Jeff Fisch bounced for Washington on Sunday. Fisch struggled in his first two seasons before posting a 10-3 record in 2023. Jonah Coleman became the first player to depart following Fisch, announcing his transfer on Monday. Coleman has three years of eligibility remaining. He tallied 1,550 yards and ten touchdowns in two years with Arizona.
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