Arizona Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt had the chance to be a top pick in the NFL Draft, but he made a bold decision to stay in college for another year.
Instead of heading to the pros, he’s doubling down on his legacy, staying another year as one of the top returning quarterbacks in college football.
Sam Leavitt Could Be a Potential ‘No.1 Pick’ in the Future
Leavitt took the Arizona Sun Devils to new heights, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff and leading them in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. With 2,885 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and an extra 443 yards with five scores on the ground, he proved to be a dual-threat nightmare for defenses.
Now, he’s gearing up for one final season with the Sun Devils in 2025 before making the leap to the NFL.
Sam Leavitt has quickly become one of college football’s most electrifying quarterbacks, turning heads with his stellar performance last season. His dominance on the field didn’t go unnoticed, as he even outshined the Texas Longhorns’ Arch Manning in On3’s Top 25 Impact QBs of 2025, according to Thomas Goldkamp.
“Few went from off the radar to firmly in the national spotlight the way that Leavitt did with Arizona State in 2024. The Michigan State transfer instantly took charge of the offense and helped lead the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff,” Goldkamp wrote about Leavitt.
“As far as the numbers, Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns, against six interceptions. He also ran for 443 yards and five scores. There’s room to improve both totals going forward into the 2025 campaign.”
Moreover, even “NFL Rookie Watch” made an X post about Sam Leavitt, where they reported that a lot of college football coaches consider him to be the “best collegiate QB” in the upcoming season.
Sam Leavitt might have the best arm in ALL of college football.
Many college coaches reportedly believe Leavitt is the “best collegiate QB” going into next season.
One NFL scout reportedly believes Leavitt has “first overall pick” potential in the NFL Draft one day.
Leavitt… pic.twitter.com/7iqj5EmvNG
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 4, 2025
“One NFL scout reportedly believes Leavitt has ‘first overall pick’ potential in the NFL Draft one day. Leavitt reportedly has goals of winning the Heisman and winning a national championship next season for Arizona State,” they wrote.
Leavitt is also quite confident in his skills, and it was evident before his game against the Longhorns, even though the Sun Devils lost that tilt, 39-31.
Leavitt Called Himself Better Than Quinn Ewers
Ahead of his highly anticipated Peach Bowl showdown against the Texas Longhorns on Dec. 31, 2024, Leavitt didn’t hold back.
Reflecting on his journey, he spoke about being overlooked from day one but made it clear that he belongs among the best in college football. His bold statement sparked speculation, with many believing he was taking a direct shot at Texas rival Quinn Ewers.
“I’ve watched him for a fair amount of time now, and I’m just excited for the opportunity,” Leavitt said at a press conference. “People keep counting me out since Day one and, you know, I’m gonna go prove why I’m the better quarterback. And that’s how I feel since day one. So I’m gonna go put everybody on the map.”
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
Ewers struggled to play last year, as he sustained an injury quite early into the 2024 season. However, his absence led to Texas giving Arch Manning the chance to start for the team in ten games.
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