2026 QB Spotlight: Sam Leavitt

Kevin looks at a potential 2026 QB draft riser Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt

Arizona State entered the 2024 season with rock-bottom expectations. Most projections had the Sun Devils finishing dead last in their new Big 12 home. Instead, they flipped the script finishing the regular season 10-2, knocking off Iowa State in the Big 12 title game, and punching their ticket to the College Football Playoff as the No. 4 seed.

While Cam Skattebo stole the headlines with a monster season on the ground, the conversation is now shifting to another major piece of that offense sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt.

Leavitt quietly had one of the best freshman seasons in the country. After transferring in from Michigan State, he threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six picks while adding five scores on the ground. He proved to be a steady, efficient playmaker in Kenny Dillingham’s offense and set the tone for the Sun Devils’ unexpected rise.

His decision to leave East Lansing paid off in a big way. Leavitt has fully bought into Dillingham’s culture. One built around trust, honesty, and development. He’s embraced his role as a leader and face of the program, hosting youth camps with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and consistently emphasizing the work ethic it takes to succeed at the next level.

In what became a signature moment of the season, Leavitt torched Kansas State for three first-half touchdowns on the road, earning ASU its first Top 25 ranking and solidifying his status as one of the most intriguing young quarterbacks in college football.

Leavitt’s 2024 totals: 3,328 yards of total offense and 28 total touchdowns helped lead the Sun Devils to heights the program hasn’t seen in decades. And now, with Skattebo gone and a full offseason under his belt, the keys to the offense are fully in Leavitt’s hands.

So, what’s next for the rising redshirt sophomore? It starts with coaching and scheme and how Dillingham has tailored this offense to fit his strengths.

Come check out all our 2026 QB Spotlights below!

Coaching and Scheme

Kenny Dillingham has completely flipped the culture at Arizona State. In just two seasons, he’s taken this program from the basement of the Pac-12 to the mountaintop of the Big 12. His foundation? Recruiting competitors who hate to lose and building an identity rooted in toughness, trust, and accountability.

After a rocky 2023 that saw in-season coordinator turnover and one of the worst scoring offenses in the Power Five, the 2024 version of ASU was almost unrecognizable. They went undefeated at home for the first time since 2004, won the Big 12, and earned a Peach Bowl appearance all while nearly doubling their points per game from 17.8 to 33.1.

A massive piece of that turnaround was the offensive mind of Marcus Arroyo. Named a Broyles Award finalist, Arroyo brought a level of structure and efficiency that this offense desperately needed. And the engine that made it all go? Sam Leavitt.

Leavitt’s relationship with Arroyo has been key. He trusts him, and more importantly, Arroyo demands the very best out of his quarterback. It’s not uncommon to hear Leavitt talk about making a big play with his legs, only for Arroyo to get on the headset and break down what should’ve happened instead. That’s the kind of detail-oriented coaching Leavitt thrives on and it’s helped him grow into a true field general.

According to quarterbacks coach Drew Ward, Leavitt’s biggest jump hasn’t just been physical it’s mental. His ability to read defenses, adjust protections, and take command of the huddle has reached another level. Arroyo trusts him to change plays at the line and make real-time decisions, which is critical for an offense built on tempo and spacing.

Arroyo’s philosophy is built around three pillars: physicality, explosiveness, and efficiency. It’s a balanced attack with calculated risk-taking, and it thrives in the margins. Arizona State has embraced key areas like the “middle eight” — the final four minutes of the first half and the opening four minutes of the second — and ranks fourth nationally in that category, per SportSource Analytics.

Turnover margin has also been a calling card. Leavitt’s taken care of the football all season with just five turnover-worthy plays in 12 games, including only one in the final five weeks. Even under pressure, he’s been sharp actually completing a higher percentage of passes when blitzed (63.4%) than when not (62.7%), per PFF.

With Leavitt’s growth, Arroyo’s system clicking, and the culture fully established under Dillingham, this offense looks primed to take another step.

Which brings us to 2025 where the expectations, and the stakes, are even higher.

2025 Offensive Outlook

The Arizona State offense took a massive leap in 2024, and there’s a real chance they level up again in 2025. Any unit that can drop 30 points on Texas deserves respect but this team isn’t just looking for respect anymore. They’re looking to dominate.

With Kenny Dillingham’s offensive system now fully established and Marcus Arroyo’s aggressive yet calculated playcalling at the controls, there’s legit reason to believe this offense could go from “very good” to “borderline elite.” But ultimately, it comes down to the pieces on the field and Arizona State’s got a lot of them coming back.

Jordyn Tyson remains the focal point in the passing game after putting up 91 yards per game and 10 touchdowns in 2024. He returns fully healthy after missing the postseason and will continue to be Sam Leavitt’s top weapon. But this season, the pass-catching group has more depth and versatility around him.

Transfers Jaren Hamilton (Alabama) and Noble Johnson (Clemson) bring speed and physicality to the outside, while tight end Chamon Metayer is back after scoring six times last season. Raleek Brown offers explosiveness out of the backfield and could be featured more heavily in the passing game. Simply put, this group is more balanced and should be much harder to game plan against.

While the loss of Cam Skattebo is massive he was arguably the most productive back in the country. Arizona State has quietly built a committee that could soften the blow. Kanye Udoh, Raleek Brown, and Kyson Brown each bring something different to the table. Udoh, a transfer from Army, gives them a tough, efficient runner who can carry the load between the tackles. Brown provides the burst, while Kyson offers steadiness and versatility. The run game might not have a clear-cut superstar, but it could be more balanced and harder to defend because of that.

Sam Leavitt remains the centerpiece. After a stellar freshman season, his chemistry with Tyson is elite, and his understanding of Arroyo’s system has only grown. He’s shown improved control at the line, greater poise under pressure, and the ability to take what the defense gives him all traits you want to see from a maturing quarterback. With 18 returning starters and a deep offensive line group bolstered by nine new additions, the protection up front should give him even more time to work.

Arizona State didn’t just retain key players. They reloaded with immediate-impact transfers and high-upside recruits. Freshmen Cameron Dyer and Michael “Butter” Tollefson bring long-term intrigue at quarterback, and four-star tight end AJ Ia has already drawn rave reviews from the staff for his physical tools and maturity. Add in receivers like Jalen Moss (Fresno State) and a handful of three-star freshmen, and this offense has multiple layers of talent to work with.

The blueprint is set. The quarterback is in place. And the weapons are everywhere.

If things click the way the staff expects, Arizona State could not only defend its Big 12 crown they could push for even more.

Projected 2025 Depth Chart (Offense)

• QB1: Sam Leavitt

• RB1: Kanye Udoh

• RB2: Kyson Brown

• WR1: Jordyn Tyson

• WR2: Jalen Moss

• WR3: Malik McClain

• WR4: Noble Johnson

• TE1: Chamon Metayer

Scouting Report

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