Each offseason, Arizona State football seems to revolve around a familiar question: who will be the starting quarterback?
This year, the Sun Devils finally have their answer, as head coach Kenny Dillingham announced the decision Monday morning following the team’s practice.
“Sam Leavitt will be our starting quarterback,” Coach Dillingham announced. “We had discussions with him and the other quarterbacks recently, and we’re excited about the decision. We believe we have several quarterbacks on this team who can lead us to victories, and our depth is impressive. I have confidence in all three quarterbacks who have been taking reps with the first, second, and third teams.” Throughout ASU’s fall camp, Leavitt consistently outperformed the other two quarterbacks, Trenton Bourguet and Jeff Sims, both of whom are in their final college seasons.
Leavitt, a redshirt freshman, emerged as the top contender throughout camp, but Dillingham emphasized that he had to earn the position, which he did primarily through his excellent ball security.
“In around 300 team series scenarios, he’s only thrown two interceptions,” Dillingham noted. “That’s roughly the equivalent of five full games with just two interceptions, which is impressive. He has a lot of qualities that make him an exceptional football player.”
Additionally, Dillingham was pleased with Leavitt’s ability to read the game and adjust to the on-field pace.
“The game has slowed down for him a bit,” Dillingham said. “Of course, it will speed up again when he’s facing real game pressure. Let’s be realistic—there will be some first-year challenges he’ll encounter, but overall, the game has definitely started to slow down for him.”
Leavitt, originally from Oregon, was recognized as the 2022 Oregon Football Player of the Year and the 2022 MaxPreps Oregon High School Player of the Year after leading West Linn High School to a state championship. During that season, he threw for 3,184 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Ranked as the top player in Oregon for the class of 2023, Leavitt chose to commit to Michigan State over offers from Washington State, Arizona, Florida State, and Washington.
The specifics of his injury haven’t been fully disclosed, but it has raised concerns about his availability for the season opener against Wyoming. The Sun Devils will be closely monitoring his recovery, as his presence could be crucial for their success in 2024.
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