Sam Leavitt, QB
Redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt won the starting job for the Sun Devils after transferring from the Michigan State Spartans early last offseason. Leavitt won the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year award for Arizona State in 2024, while also reeling in All-Big 12 Second-Team quarterback honors.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham has helped develop multiple NFL quarterbacks and all-conference signal-callers as the offensive coordinator/QB coach at Florida State, Oregon, and Memphis in the past decade. In the past half-decade, he coached up future NFL QB draft picks Bo Nix (Auburn/Oregon) and Jordan Travis (Florida State).
Leavitt's accuracy and reliable decision-making at quarterback, getting the ball out on time and on target, to his skill weapons on the outside has earned him praise from Dillingham this season.
"That's all it does is this kid is learning and growing every single game. He's getting better and better and better. I'm glad I'm tied to him, I'll say that."Kenny Dillingham on Sam Leavitt
When the pocket breaks down, Leavitt is athletic enough to escape, and he uses his speed to pick up key first downs and keep the chains moving. He's run for multiple first downs in 10 games for the Sun Devils offense (per PFF).
One big challenge the Sun Devils must overcome in this game is finding other receivers to step up in place of the injured star 1,000-yard receiver Jordyn Tyson. Senior Xavier Guillory caught multiple touchdowns in the Big 12 Championship, and junior tight end Chamon Metayer has double-digit touchdowns since 2023.