Arizona Wildcats redshirt freshman quarterback Noah Fifita was named one of five finalists on Friday for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award presented by the Maxwell Football Club.
Fifita joined Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs, Miami defensive end Reuben Bain, North Carolina State wide receiver Kevin Concepcion and Purdue defensive back Dillon Thieneman.
Fifita took over the reins as Arizona's starting quarterback when Jayden de Laura suffered an ankle injury in the Pac-12 opener at Stanford. Since Fifita led the Wildcats to a come-from-behind victory on the road, he's remained as Arizona's starter and quarterbacked the Wildcats to six straight wins to end the regular season with a 9-3 record.
Fifita has thrown for 2,515 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 73.6% completion rate, which is tied for third nationally. Fifita set a program record with 527 passing yards in Arizona's 59-23 win over Arizona State last week, which is also a record for any quarterback in Territorial Cup history.
The winner of the sixth-ever Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on Dec. 29.
Previous winners: Drake Maye (North Carolina), Brock Bowers (Georgia), Will Anderson (Alabama), Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) and Trevor Lawrence (Clemson).
Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch held a news conference this week and discussed the Wildcats ending the regular season 9-3, bowl game prep, coaching contracts and increasing the salary pool, transfer portal and potential bowl opt-outs, among other topics. Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
