Former Pac-12 Freshman Of The Year Compared To Top NFL Quarterback

The Arizona Wildcats saw multiple players staff the quarterback position last season. Jayden De Laura began the year as the starter, suffering a leg injury against the Stanford Cardinal that sidelined him for most of the year.

After De Laura suffered an injury, redshirt freshman Noah Fifita started for the remainder of the season. Fifita went 7-2 as the starting quarterback and recorded 2,869 passing yards with 25 touchdowns. His efforts earned him Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.

Fifita may not be heading to the NFL after this season, but he is already receiving some comparisons to NFL talent. According to NFL Draft Buzz , Fifita is similar to San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy.

Purdy played for the Iowa State Cyclones from 2018-21. According to On3 Industry Rankings, Purdy and Fifita were former three-star recruits. Purdy was from the 2018 class, while Fifita was from the 2022 class.

De Laura left college football for the NFL after last season. Some changes took place in the Pac-12 as well. The Arizona State Sun Devils, Arizona, Utah Utes, and Colorado Buffaloes left to join the Big 12 this offseason. The Oregon Ducks, Washington Huskies, USC Trojans, and UCLA Bruins are now in the Big Ten. The California Golden Bears and Stanford joined the ACC.

In addition to conference realignment, Arizona's head coach, Jedd Fisch, left the program to take the Washington job, and former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer left for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Former San Jose Spartans head coach Brent Brennan now leads the Wildcats.

The Wildcats return stars like Fifita, receiver Tetairoa McMillan, safety Gunner Maldonado, corner Tacario Davis, and linebacker Jacob Manu.

After a 10-win season in 2023, Arizona looks to take home the Big 12 title. The Wildcats open the season with the New Mexico Lobos on Aug. 31. Kickoff is at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Related: ESPN Analyst Names Overlooked Big 12 Program As Contender For Conference Title