Arizona's de Laura to enter portal after losing starting job to Fifita

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura will enter the transfer portal after being supplanted as the starter by Noah Fifita.

De Laura said in a social media post on Monday that he will remain with the Wildcats through Thursday's Alamo Bowl.

“On Friday, college football made a decision to allow a second undergraduate transfer,” de Laura posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I appreciate my time at the University of Arizona, but the opportunity to return as a starter my final year of college, while also getting my degree, is something I must explore.”

Arizona made a big splash in 2022 by signing de Laura after he threw for more than 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns in two seasons for Washington State. He had an immediate impact for the Wildcats, throwing for 3,685 yards and 25 touchdowns with 13 interceptions last season.

De Laura opened 2023 as Arizona's starter but suffered an ankle injury against Stanford in the fourth game of the season.

Fifita played so well in his place that coach Jedd Fisch opted to keep him as the starter after de Laura was healthy enough to return.

___

Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football