Head Coach Nick Rolovich announced Monday that true freshman Jayden de Laura will be the starting quarterback for the Cougars this season.

“Jayden’s going to take the first snap for us at Oregon State,” he said.

De Laura came into the program with a familiarity of the run and shoot-type of offense, Rolovich said. It helped de Laura get on a competitive level with the other quarterbacks despite being a true freshman.

Rolovich said de Laura was determined to compete when he first showed up.

“I think when he got off the plane, he probably had a couple missions,” Rolovich said. “‘Where am I going to live, where’s the playbook and when do we start practice?’”

Rolovich said de Laura has shown a good understanding of the offense along with impressive arm strength and timing. He said the true freshman also has demonstrated an ability to make plays off-script.

De Laura put up impressive numbers in the two scrimmages before earning the starting job. He went 20 for 27 for 179 yards and two touchdowns along with 47 rushing yards and another score on the ground.

“I thought he was productive and consistent and is going to give us the best chance to move the ball this Saturday,” Rolovich said.

De Laura beat out redshirt sophomore Cammon Cooper, redshirt freshman Gunner Cruz and fellow true freshman Victor Gabalis.

Rolovich said the competition was close between the quarterbacks. He said there is always a chance that he would play multiple quarterbacks but does not plan on it.

“My message to Cammon, Gunner and Victor was ‘You guys need to prove me wrong and keep getting better and keep improving and stay ready, you never know what’s going to happen,’” he said.