The Arizona State Sun Devils had a sad development Thursday night when their starting quarterback Sam Leavitt showed on the Big 12’s availability report as doubtful for this week’s upcoming road game at Utah on Saturday.
Pete Thamel of ESPN also reported on X that the Sun Devil quarterback Sam Leavitt has gone from probable to doubtful for this week’s game against Utah. This unexpected news sends shockwaves through the ASU program, particularly as Leavitt had been probable just 24 hours before.
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is doubtful for the Utah game. He’s been downgraded from probable.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 10, 2025
This could not come at a worse time for a 21st ranked Sun Devil team that is in the critical juncture of their season. In a span of 48 hours Leavitt has gone from probable to doubtful and it is still unclear what is bothering him with the injury.
Fittingly, this news comes on, or at least very soon after, Arizona State just had a bye week after a hard-fought win against TCU on September 26. This extended time off was intended for the players to heal and re-charge, yet for some reason Leavitt got worse during this bye week.
Leavitt’s Absence Could Impact Arizona State’s Offense
Leavitt’s unavailability would certainly hinder the the Sun Devils offensively as this season, the sophomore has been fantastic, throwing eight touchdown passes to three interceptions, while also throwing for 1,039 yards at a completion percentage of 63.1 percent.
After struggling in Arizona State’s only loss of the season, in Mississippi State, he has recovered brilliantly with five touchdown passes and no interceptions in the last three games.
BREAKING: Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is listed as DOUBTFUL to play on the latest player availability report. pic.twitter.com/UnYJqwDAlw
— PHNX Sun Devils (@PHNX_SunDevils) October 10, 2025
In the meantime, Jeff Sims, who is touted to start in Leavitt’s absence, has some starting experience, as he has done so in 26 games in his college career. He has played for three different programs in the past three years.
He started 23 games with Georgia Tech during his time there and had a short experience with Nebraska before arriving to the Sun Devils. Last season, Sims started one game for Arizona State in a 24-14 loss to Cincinnati.
Read More:
- One Player Arizona State Needs Healthy To Unlock Sam Leavitt’s Heisman Potential in 2025
- ASU QB Sam Leavitt Shows Love to Kansas State’s Star Avery Johnson With 2-Word Comment
- Sam Leavitt Ranked as Top 100 Returning Player, Joined by 2 Other Sun Devils
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