Kentucky football has suddenly emerged as one of the most unexpected and intriguing players in the transfer portal race.
A 5,468-yard career passer became one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the portal after a productive but challenging 2025 season at Arizona State. While the Sun Devils struggled with injuries and roster turnover, Leavitt still flashed the tools that made him one of the most promising quarterbacks in the country just a year earlier.
Kentucky Has Clear Interest in Sam Leavitt
According to college football analyst Pete Nakos, sources have confirmed to Steve Wiltfong and Nakos that Sam Leavitt is currently in Lexington. This development has caught much of the college football world off guard. Early transfer portal projections had Leavitt trending toward programs with bigger national perception, such as LSU, Oregon, or Indiana, making Kentucky’s involvement a significant surprise.
Sources confirm to @SWiltfong_ and I that Sam Leavitt is in Lexington.https://t.co/LhhJBNHCQo https://t.co/Ivcb7ouFoT
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) January 3, 2026
According to a Kentucky football reporter and analyst for On3 Sports, Leavitt didn’t just make a casual visit. He met with new Kentucky head coach Will Stein and watched film until midnight, a strong indicator that the interest on both sides is serious.
At first glance, Oregon’s previous connection to Leavitt seemed logical, but it may not have been about the Ducks’ logo. Instead, the real draw appears to be Will Stein, now leading the Wildcats after orchestrating one of the most quarterback-friendly offenses in college football over the last several seasons.
Will Stein Connection
Stein’s résumé speaks for itself. During his time at Oregon, he helped develop Bo Nix, who became a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2024; Dillon Gabriel, selected in the third round of the 2025 draft; and Dante Moore, a projected future first-round pick in 2026 or 2027. Simply put, if a quarterback wants to maximize NFL potential, Stein has emerged as one of the most trusted developers in the sport.
Leavitt’s performance metrics show both promise and context. His PFSN QB Impact Grade dipped from 82.0 in 2024 to 79.2 in 2025, but the regression coincided with an injury-riddled season and significant talent loss around him at Arizona State. The lack of stability made it difficult for Leavitt to flourish despite his consistent individual talent.
A reunion with an offensive mind like Stein could spark a significant resurgence. Under his direction, Oregon’s offenses ranked second nationally in 2023, fourth in 2024, and 11th in 2025, according to PFSN offensive CFB impact grades. Those results underscore the type of system Leavitt could step into at Kentucky, one specifically designed to elevate quarterback play.
There was once a belief that Leavitt’s best partnership would be with Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, but a potential Stein-Leavitt pairing could surpass those expectations. The fit appears natural: a quarterback seeking a rebound year and an offensive coach proven to deliver elite production.
If Sam Leavitt ultimately chooses Kentucky, it would send shockwaves through the college football landscape. But don’t mistake surprise for improbability. Should this move become official, the Wildcats could quickly transition from under-the-radar to legitimate contenders, positioning themselves to compete at a high level in 2026.
Sometimes, the most dangerous teams are the ones no one sees coming, and Kentucky may be building exactly that.
