Kenny Dillingham can’t thank his stars enough for an unfathomable flip from 3-5 to 11-3. While the HC deserves praise for turning around things, it’s his boys in maroon and gold, especially the kid-turned-beast from Michigan State, who take the plaudits. Sam Leavitt, the QB led the Sun Devils led the Sun Devils to 11 wins, a conference title, and a berth in the extended playoffs. His flex? The October 5th showdown in Tempe against Kansas. With the game hanging in the balance and just 16 seconds remaining, Leavitt connected with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson on a precise 3-yard touchdown pass, sealing a thrilling 35–31 victory. This clutch play capped off a night where Leavitt threw four touchdown passes, showcasing poise and maturity beyond his years in a game marked by six lead changes.

“I’m trying to prove I’m the best quarterback on the field,” Leavitt said prior to the playoff game against Texas. Coach Dillingham had taken a daring leap of faith a year back. The transfer portal has often become a double-edged sword, especially when you have suffered from a dysfunctional season. Swooping Leavitt in wasn’t just a gamble; it was a tale of blurred lines between fate and reality. But Sam Leavitt delivered and big time. He showed up, set the gridiron on fire, and accounted for almost 300 yards of total offense against Texas. After a full-blown effort, the Longhorns ran out of steam in an eight-point loss.

In his red-shirt freshman era, he exceeded expectations as the team’s second-leading rusher with 443 yards and five touchdowns. But now, year 2 looks to be a lot more crucial for the Michigan product. The media has him on a pedestal with an early Heisman buzz. Moreover, in preseason Big 12 quarterback rankings, Leavitt sits at the top. So, the pressure is on to live up to the hype, and his coach has a piece of advice for him.

Dillingham talked about the mentality you need to be the best during his conversation with George Wrighster on the Unafraid Show. “I support our guys, believing in themselves, and I’ll back that up from now till forever. That has nothing to do with somebody else. It has to do with what he believes in. If I take the field, if I’m hooping on Tuesday at 5:30 a.m., I am not the best player, but I’m going to think I am,” the ASU coach said.

According to Dillingham, his players, including Leavitt, have to be up for it all the time. “If you don’t have that mindset that you’re going to find a way to be the best, then what are we doing? Like, I don’t want to coach that guy. I want to coach the guy that I say like, “Settle down.” Not the guy that I’m like, “Come on, buddy.” Yeah, I want the guy who’s like, “Okay let’s”—and you can’t really say that,” he added.

Leavitt speaks the same language, and that’s an underrated asset for ASU. Last season, he threw for 2,885 yards and 24 scores and had only six interceptions in 350 pass attempts, but it’s his leadership qualities on the field that ASU needs more.

Leavitt heads into the season as one of eight returning offensive starters for head coach Kenny Dillingham and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo. While the offense will be without Cam Skattebo, Leavitt will have wide receiver Jordyn Tyson back as a key weapon on the outside. But his future will hinge on addressing some of the few stinging issues.

Sam Leavitt receives some eye-opening feedback amidst the standout freshman year

Leavitt has been electric throughout the season, flipping the doomsday fate of the Sun Devils. But let’s be real, he is far from perfect. When he stepped onto the team, nobody saw him as a game-changer. Yet, with his experience and production, he set foot in the best Big 12 QB race for the year 2025.

But if he needs to double down on his success and make the naysayers believe his debut year was anything but a fluke, he needs to tighten up the rough edges. Dalton Wasserman of the PFF College football show didn’t mince his words while evaluating Sam Leavitt with all the ebbs and flows.

“This is another one where I look at his footwork within the pocket. It still could get a little bit better. But man, oh man, does he have athletic talent and arm talent?” Wasserman quickly shifted his focus to the strength, “And I think one of the things that impressed me the most, sometimes it looks like he can be reckless and even invite pressure a little bit, using that athleticism and leaning on it a little too much. 1.1% turnover-worthy play. I believe there were only five or six turnover-worthy plays all season last year.” 

While the flutters in the pocket should be an early wake-up call, what the freshman QB has done for the ASU within, taking it to the conversation for a two-time Big 12 championship in a row is huge. His turnover-worthy play rate stands at just 1.1%, placing him fourth in the country. Those 34 tackles as a runner, the ability to get the ball out faster than your doubts carry the testament of pure athleticism. Believe it or not, Sam Leavitt is brewing to be the GUY next on your search.