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Arizona State names Michigan State transfer as starting QB for Week 1
After an underwhelming debut season as head coach in 2023, Kenny Dillingham found himself entering Year 2 at Arizona State in need of a new quarterback. Former starter Jaden Rashada transferred to the University of Georgia.
With only one experienced quarterback on the Sun Devils roster in Trenton Bourguet, Dillingham hit the transfer portal in search of competition. Ultimately, he brought in Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt and Nebraska transfer Jeff Sims.
Then Dillingham held an open competition among the three players.
On Monday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Leavitt has emerged as the starter after a strong showing during preseason camp. He'll start for ASU against Wyoming in Week 1 on Aug 31.
Sources: Sam Leavitt has been named the starting quarterback at Arizona State for the opener against Wyoming. He beat out transfer Jeff Sims (Georgia Tech/Nebraska), and both have been informed of the decision. pic.twitter.com/sfFzEMMFZJ
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 19, 2024
Now a redshirt freshman, Leavitt was the Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023 before heading to Michigan State.
In four games as a Spartan, Leavitt went 12-for-23 for 123 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while playing sparingly as a true freshman.
He will now have the keys to the Sun Devils offense and will look to help guide them back to playing winning football after two straight 3-9 seasons.
Leavitt will have a plethora of options to target through the air including wide receivers Jake Smith, Malik McClain and Troy Omeire as well as tight ends Markeston Douglas and Chamon Metayer.
With a trio of running backs expected to share the duties in the backfield including Cam Skattebo, Alton McCaskill and Raleek Brown, the Sun Devils offense has all of the tools to be exciting to watch in 2024.
Look for Dillingham to get everyone involved and keep things simple for his young quarterback in his first season as a starter. The Sun Devils will be playing their first season as a member of the Big 12 conference after leaving the Pac-12.
More must-reads:
- Top three Week 0 college football games: Where to watch, predictions, start time
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Fresh DJ Lagway Injury Development Surfaces Ahead of Week 1
Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway is entering his second season with the team, although this will be his first as the full-time starter. Lagway threw for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions after taking over for Graham Mertz. Lagway led Florida to a 6-1 record in seven starts and showed plenty of promise, which is great news for the program and head coach Billy Napier. However, the five-star recruit has dealt with a number of injuries in the summer. He dealt with a shoulder injury and was recently seen in a walking boot due to a calf injury, which sparked questions of whether or not he would be good for Week 1. New DJ Lagway Update Surfaces On Wednesday, a new update emerged on the Gators' signal-caller, according to Pete Nakos of On3. "A source emphasized to On3 on Wednesday that the quarterback “will be ready” for Week 1," Nakos wrote. Napier had mentioned previously that Lagway was "on the right track" and had been "working hard all summer," but this latest news is a step in the right direction for Florida's star quarterback. Earlier in the week, Napier also spoke about Lagway's progress and his status going forward. “I think he’s doing great,” Napier said. “I think he’s on schedule; he’s executing our plan... Think he had his best day today. He took more reps today than he’s been taking. Obviously, he didn’t participate in the scrimmage [last Saturday], but he’s hitting all his numbers from a throw perspective. The ball is coming out of his hand with more velocity than any time in his career." Napier did mention on Monday that he would be "modified" for a while, but being ready for Week 1 would be excellent news for Florida. Florida's QB Room Outlook Florida has every right to be a bit reserved about Lagway's status. For starters, the Gators begin the year against Long Island Brooklyn in Gainesville and then host South Florida, both games in which they should be favored. Week 3 is the big test against LSU on the road, followed by Miami (FL) on the road, so it will be of utmost importance to have Lagway fully ready by that time. If Lagway can't play, it will be either Louisville transfer Harrison Bailey or Aidan Warner, who stepped in for Lagway last year when he suffered an injury. True freshman Tramell Jones is also on the roster, although it remains to be seen what the official QB depth chart looks like for Florida. Nonetheless, this is a promising development on the Lagway injury front.
3 Ways Craig Berube Is Changing the Maple Leafs’ DNA
When Craig Berube took over behind the Toronto Maple Leafs bench in May 2024, it wasn’t just about swapping one coach for another. Toronto brought him in to change the way the team thinks, plays, and competes. Less about tweaks, more about rewiring the team’s DNA. DNA Change 1: The Maple Leafs Have Moved From Star Reliance to Team Accountability For years, the Maple Leafs leaned on pure offensive talent to cover for defensive lapses. Berube’s not buying it. Under his watch, everyone—from Auston Matthews to the last guy on the fourth line—is held to the same standard. If you don’t compete shift to shift, you won’t get minutes. That doesn’t mean the stars won’t shine, but they’ll have to do it while committing to a 200-foot game. Matthews’ defensive reads are now a feature, not a bonus. William Nylander is being pushed to round out his play. And role players like Matthew Knies or Nicolas Roy have a clear mandate: excel in your lane. DNA Change 2: The Maple Leafs Have Moved to Structure Over Chaos In the Berube era, the Maple Leafs won’t be the same freewheeling team fans have known. Expect layers of structure—consistent forechecking, five-man defensive units, and smarter puck management. It’s hockey built for playoff survival, not just regular-season fireworks. That might mean fewer highlight-reel plays, but it’s the kind of style that doesn’t break under pressure in May. Of course, the jury remains out on the success of this venture. DNA Change 3: The Maple Leafs Now See Culture as a Competitive Edge Perhaps Berube’s biggest shift is intangible: culture. He’s stripping away the drama and replacing it with clarity and purpose. In St. Louis, that approach turned a last-place roster into Stanley Cup champions in 2019. In Toronto, it’s already giving young players and depth guys a clear role, while keeping the stars invested in the same system. That unity—between front office, coaching staff, and players—is something the Maple Leafs have chased for years. If Matthews can emerge as a leader in this venture, all the better. The Maple Leafs Might Not Win Pretty, But … The 2025–26 Maple Leafs might not always win pretty, but if Berube’s changes stick, they’ll be harder to play against, more resilient in tight games, and less likely to beat themselves. And that, in Toronto, might be the real breakthrough.
Steelers' Jalen Ramsey Makes Revealing Confession About Playing In Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bunch of aggressive moves in the 2025 offseason. One of those moves was General Manager Omar Khan’s decision to trade away former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers clearly viewed Ramsey as a cornerstone piece to elevate their defense to an elite level in 2025. As training camp has come and gone, Ramsey has quickly reminded those in Latrobe, PA, just how dominant he can still be. Following a practice session, Ramsey sat down with Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder for an episode of The Pivot podcast to share his early impressions of life in the Steel City. During the conversation, Ramsey spoke about the culture he has experienced since joining the Steelers, expressing admiration for the way the organization operates. He pointed to the smooth handling of TJ Watt’s contract negotiations as an example of how the Steelers take care of their own. "Probably so," Ramsey said on The Pivot podcast when asked if his career would have been different if the Steelers would have drafted him. "Yeah, 100 percent... If I would've started my career here, it probably would've been different. My focus may have been a little bit different at times. I may have been here my whole career. This is like a place where I feel like, one, they take care of they own. I truly believe that they take care of their own. Two, guys really want to be here." Ramsey explained that such mutual commitment between player and team is not common across the league, making Pittsburgh stand out. He also noted how much players genuinely want to be part of the organization, praising the coaching staff, fan base, and the team’s tradition of winning. To him, it is a football environment built for long-term success and player happiness. "I've heard them say it when they were going through TJ [Watt's] contract, I was watching Mike [Tomlin's] interviews," Ramsey said. "He's like, 'Both sides want to get it done, so it's gonna get done. That's not always the case where you at everywhere. But here, it is like, 'I want to be here. Let's figure it out. Let's do it the right way!' They handle business the right way. Fans are amazing here. Coaching staff is amazing here. They're always winning here. It's not much to not be happy about if you truly love football." Ramsey went further by admitting that if he had been drafted by the Steelers earlier in his career, things might have turned out much differently. He suggested that his mindset and focus could have been even sharper and that he might have spent his entire career in Pittsburgh. Steelers' Jalen Ramsey Really Loving His Time In Pittsburgh For Ramsey, the Steelers represent the kind of stability, respect, and winning culture that players strive for. His comments not only highlight his high regard for the organization, but also serve as a reminder of the unique culture that has made Pittsburgh one of the most respected franchises in the NFL. Ramsey was drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He arrives in Pittsburgh at the age of 30, aiming to help the team build the best defense in the league. His career has included stops in Jacksonville, with the Los Angeles Rams where he won a Super Bowl, and with the Dolphins. Now he is enjoying his time in the Steel City. Do you believe Ramsey's career would have been a lot different had Pittsburgh originally drafted him in that 2016 NFL Draft?
Jets QB Justin Fields had 'alarming' practice against Giants
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields found out he has a long way to go following his performance at Tuesday's joint practice with the New York Giants. Per Connor Hughes of SNY TV, Fields started hot at the practice before struggling during the move-the-ball period. "Very interesting practice for #Jets QB Justin Fields," Hughes posted on X. "He finished 7 of 12 with a TD. 5 of 5 to start practice. Then 0 for 4. Finished 2 of 3 with the really impressive TD to Jeremy Ruckert in red zone (starter 18 yard line). "The offensive performance was a bit alarming in move-the-ball period of practice. Fields Co. had three attempts to get down field. They didn’t gain a first down. Only gained yards twice (two short Breece Hall runs). Three sacks. That needs to be fixed. #Giants defense toyed with NYJ during that period." Some Jets fans online thought Hughes was using hyperbole to characterize the practice, but he doubled down on his judgment of the offense. Fields looked strong on his first and only drive in the Jets' 30-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. He went 3-of-4 passing for 42 yards and rushed two times for 14 yards and a touchdown. However, the Giants defense at the joint practice is a much better unit than the short-handed one the Packers trotted out for the first preseason game. Fields' issues seen with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, with holding the ball too long and not being able to pass consistently downfield, were a factor against the Giants. Following Saturday's game, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Fields was getting better but had a lot to improve on. Tuesday's practice was a humbling reminder that Fields needs to become a consistent passer if the Jets are going to move the ball on good defenses in the regular season.
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