On Tuesday, Jayden de Laura earned one of the top conference honors… And was robbed of another one.

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.

However, despite being the best freshman offensive player in the Pac-12 this season… He wasn’t one of the two best overall quarterbacks in the league — At least according to the award voters. de Laura was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 at quarterback, finishing behind first-teamer Cameron Rising of Utah and second-teamer Dorian Thompson-Robinson from UCLA.

The good news is that while de Laura (somehow) wasn’t named first or second team All-Pac-12, five of his teammates were. Tackle Abraham Lucas, kicker Dean Janikowski and defensive lineman Ron Stone Jr. were all named to the conference first team. Meanwhile, receivers Travell Harris and Calvin Jackson Jr. were both named to the All-Pac-12 second team. This year marks the first time that three players were named to the first team since 2015, and the first time two wide receivers picked up all-conference honors since 2004 (Michael Bumpus and Jason Hill).

In addition to those five, nine players were named to the honorable mention team. That list includes de Laura, running back Max Borghi, defensive back Daniel Isom, defensive lineman Brennan Jackson, defensive back Armani Marsh, receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, all purpose player Lincoln Victor, defensive back Jaylen Watson and linebacker Jahad Woods. That brings WSU’s total of All-Pac-12 honors to 14, the most for the program since they picked up 17 back in 2003.

14 Cougars Earn All-Pac-12 Honors, de Laura Named Offensive Freshman of the Year – Washington State University Athletics
WSU had three first-team selections for the first time since 2015.

Washington State quarterback Jayden de Laura earns offensive freshman of the year, three Cougars pull in first-team honors from Pac-12 | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State’s football team received three first-team all-conference postseason honors Tuesday, plus an award for quarterback Jayden de Laura as the Pac-12’s offensive freshman of the year.

Other Links!

Washington State basketball looking forward to ‘really challenging week’ against mid-major notables Weber State, South Dakota State | The Spokesman-Review
PULLMAN – After dipping into Pac-12 play and splitting a pair of games last week, an optimistic Washington State men’s basketball team opens the final stretch of its nonconference slate with two tests against high-level midmajor opponents.

Gonzaga, Washington State women’s nonconference matchup could hold importance later in the season | The Spokesman-Review
It’s only early December, but it’s hard to downplay the importance of Wednesday night’s nonconference women’s game between Gonzaga and visiting Washington State.