The Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback-wide receiver duo of Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson burst onto the scene in 2024, getting better as the season went along and was a prime reason for the Sun Devils’ surprise College Football Playoff berth.
A genuine friendship was one of the reasons both decided to return to the program in 2025 and compete together once again.
Sun Devils’ Team Culture and Friendship Played Huge Part in Retaining Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson
The Sun Devils came into the 2024 season with little to no expectations — in fact, they were picked dead last in the Big 12 Media Preseason Poll.
They were fresh off a 3-9 season in 2023 and didn’t seem to have an established quarterback to lead the team. Michigan State Spartans transfer Sam Leavitt was named the starter, but he’d never started a game at the collegiate level. Running back Cam Skattebo remained as one of the integral pieces from the 2023 squad, yet he failed to rush for even 800 yards.
It took a little while, but the nation soon began to take notice of the magical season the Sun Devils were putting together. After suffering losses to the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Cincinnati Bearcats, Arizona State sat at 5-2.
They proceeded to win their final five games of the regular season and completely dismantle the Iowa State Cyclones in the conference championship game, claiming the Big 12 title.
The Sun Devils were awarded the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. They faced off against the Texas Longhorns and battled until the very end, losing 39-31 in double overtime.
From the outside, Arizona State’s run to the Playoff came out of nowhere. But the players and coaches knew what they could do.
Namely, Leavitt and his top wide receiver, Jordyn Tyson, who caught 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games. He missed the Big 12 title game and the CFP matchup against the Longhorns with a broken collarbone suffered in the final regular-season contest.
Leavitt was named to the All-Big-12 second team after completing 61.7% of his passes for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns vs. only six interceptions. Tyson was named to the All-Big-12 first team for his efforts.
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In the age of NIL and the transfer portal, it was uncertain if both would be back for another season in Tempe. But quickly after the conclusion of the season, both announced they’d be back for another go in 2025.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham cited the friendship and overall team culture as reasons for the two coming back to play with each other next season.
Dillingham said that’s a friendship between quarterback @S_leav10 and wide receiver @tyson_jordyn was naturally significant in them coming back. Overall the team culture is one that led to a minimal number of two-deep players leaving the program. Best players choosing to stay,…
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) February 19, 2025
The departure of Skattebo, who was the heart and soul of the 2024 Sun Devils, for the NFL Draft does hurt. But a large majority of starters on both sides of the ball will be back, headlined by the quarterback-WR duo of Leavitt and Tyson.
Although it’s a long while until the college football season begins in August, the hype surrounding the Sun Devils is as loud as it’s been in years — the return of Leavitt and Tyson have much to do with it.
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