Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is regarded as a high-level talent. He ranks among the top quarterbacks currently in the transfer portal, and his recruitment is still ongoing. Since the portal opened last Friday, Leavitt has been crisscrossing the country as he evaluates potential landing spots for his next chapter.
Sam Leavitt Recruitment Takes New Turn as $604M Program Gains Momentum
Miami hosted Leavitt on campus this weekend, as the Hurricanes continue their pursuit of a top transfer portal quarterback for the third consecutive year. Leavitt has until Jan. 16 to make his decision, when the portal officially closes, and On3’s Pete Nakos believes Miami is emerging as the favorite.
“Hurricanes getting a visit has this recruitment trending in their direction at this point,” Nakos said. “The visit will have to go well, and Leavitt has options, but Miami will offer the chance to start Day 1 and compete for a national title.”
Miami is actively searching for a successor to Carson Beck. Mario Cristobal’s program had remained relatively quiet in the portal, but that has changed following their Fiesta Bowl win over Ole Miss. The Hurricanes now have several high-profile, uncommitted transfers on campus, including Pitt linebacker Rasheem Biles and South Carolina wide receiver Vandervis Jacobs.
Leavitt owns a 79.7 grade in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric and can have a realistic shot at a national title in Miami. The Hurricanes are now preparing for the College Football Playoff National Championship against Indiana on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Beyond on-field success, Miami boasts significant NIL backing and has consistently demonstrated a willingness to invest heavily in its QB position. The Athletic’s Matt Baker recently valued the Hurricanes’ football program at $604 million, ranking 24th nationally.
Leavitt’s recruitment began with a visit to Kentucky, but he departed without committing. It ultimately prompted the Wildcats to shift their focus to Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey, who had been a former Nebraska commit for just one year before flipping to UK.
Leavitt then traveled to Knoxville, where a planned visit turned into a two-day stay with Tennessee. Despite strengthening the Volunteers’ position, he again left without pledging.
Before heading to Miami, Leavitt arrived in Knoxville on Wednesday and ended up stretching it to a two-day meeting with Tennessee. The multi-day visit put the Volunteers in a strong position to sign Leavitt, but he again left without committing.
LSU was also once viewed as a strong contender, but Leavitt exited Baton Rouge without committing as the situation surrounding Washington transfer Demond Williams developed.
With Miami gaining momentum in Leavitt’s recruitment, LSU and Lane Kiffin’s staff may be pivoting in a different direction, as the Tigers are also hosting USC five-star freshman quarterback Husan Longstreet today, according to Louisiana Sports’ Matt Moscona. Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis recruited Longstreet during their time at Ole Miss.
