Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) throws a pass against Iowa State Cyclones defensive end Tyler Onyedim (11) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Is Arizona State's Sam Leavitt Underrated?

Originally posted on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI
By Kevin Hicks | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 12:30 PM ET

Kenny Dillingham is building something special in Tempe for the Arizona State football program.

The 2012 alum of the university has done a masterful job of changing the culture, shifting the narrative, and re-engaging generations of fans that had previously lost faith in the direction of the program.

Among the major feats has been Dillingham's ability to hire and retain a quality staff - which sits in-line with the talent evalution that has been second-to-none.

Dillingham's eye for talent directly played into the Sun Devils winning the Big 12 conference in their first season as members - the 2025 season could bear similar results.

Longtime college football writer Phil Steele named 11 Arizona State players in his preseason all-Big 12 teams - a staggering number that had been backed up by the play of last season.

Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson & Xavion Alford have been named to the Phil Steele Preseason All @Big12Conference First Team.

Keith Abney, CJ Fite, Sam Leavitt, Ben Coleman, Keyshawn Elliott, Kanye Udoh, Jalen Moss, Clayton Smith and Jesus Gomez were also named to preseason teams. https://t.co/2UNuQDKiTF
— PHNX Sun Devils (@PHNX_SunDevils) June 20, 2025

Perhaps the most shocking of the placements is star QB Sam Leavitt being slotted in the third team - behind Baylor's Sawyer Robertson and Kansas State's Avery Johnson.

Leavitt being placed below Robertson is one thing - the Baylor gunslinger finished the season on as significant of a tear as the former, but being behind Johnson makes little sense.

The Kansas State dual threat QB scored 32 total touchdowns in 2024 - more than Leavitt - but is also substantially behind as a passer.

Many in the media world believe Leavitt will continue to take the Big 12 by storm in 2025 on the contrary of a third-team projection - including David Pollack.

"By far the best odds on the board, to me it's Sam Leavitt. Give me Sam Leavitt. I think it's +2500 (odds for Leavitt to win the Heisman) - I'm not putting him below three as best quarterbacks in college football. You play the most important position, I think they are going to be in the College Football Playoff... they're going to be a highly ranked team for this season. They're going to put up silly numbers. He's going to run it, he's going to throw it."

The ceiling is truly limitless for the redshirt sophomore - he could be competing on the biggest stages of college football once again while competing for the historic Heisman against the likes of stars such as Arch Manning.

Read more about Arizona State's current recruiting outlook within the context of the conference here.

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This article first appeared on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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