Washington State Cougars slowly easing QB Jayden de Laura back in

Washington State Cougars
Jayden de Laura, Washington State Cougars.

Jayden de Laura is finally back with the Washington State Cougars. However, last year’s starting quarterback is doing more watching than playing right now.

It’s been a very tumultuous six months for incumbent Washington State Cougars quarterback Jayden de Laura. After starting all four of the Cougs 2020 games, the 19-year-old was arrested and charged with a DUI last February. Head coach Nick Rolovich subsequently suspended him from the team.

He missed all of Wazzu’s spring practice. His reinstatement to the team didn’t come until the end of May. A month later, he was found not guilty of the charges. When summer camp opened earlier this week, de Laura found himself as one of the quarterback pack. He participated in the first day of 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills, but sat out the second.

Instead, junior Cammon Cooper, Tennessee grad transfer Jarrett Guarantano, walk-on Victor Gabalis, and true freshman Xavier Ward took the reps. Rolovich brushed aside reading too much into the current situation. He gave the other QB’s some work while de Laura takes a couple of days to get re-acclimated.

That’s a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it doesn’t help to rush a player back if he isn’t ready. Then again, after missing the spring, de Laura needs as much practice with the rest of the offense as he can get.

More reps for the rest

In de Laura’s absence, the other WSU quarterbacks look adequate so far, with none particularly standing out. Cooper’s performance is inconsistent. At times he makes nice plays and adjusts to what the defense gives him. At others, his timing and accuracy are off, and he is prone to making mistakes.

Guarantano looks like the same QB he was with the Vols. Someone competent enough to compete at the Power-5 level. He doesn’t have the physical tools to win games and exploit opponents. But if he limits his mistakes and gets help from his receivers can manage the game well enough to keep his team in contention.

There hasn’t been enough of Ward and Gabalis to draw many conclusions. However, Rolovich thinks Gabalis is having a good camp. All the while, de Laura bides his time watching from the sidelines.

Thursday, the Cougars have their first practice in full pads. As they say, it should separate the men from the boys. Practice drills are one thing; suiting up and taking hits is another.

It will probably be another few days before de Laura gets meaningful snaps with the offense. Then it’s up to him to show why he is the most talented quarterback on the roster.

What do you think about the Cougs easing Jayden de Laura back onto the field? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.

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