Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt is out for the remainder of the 2025 season due to a persistent right foot injury. Head coach Kenny Dillingham announced on Friday that his signal-caller will undergo season-ending surgery.
Dillingham will now turn to former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Jeff Sims. He has served as Leavitt’s backup for the past two seasons.
How Many Years of Eligibility Does Sam Leavitt Have Left After His Season-Ending Injury?
Leavitt still has two years of college eligibility remaining after the 2025 season. He spent his true freshman year at Michigan State in 2023, where he redshirted. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 139 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in four games for the Spartans.
Leavitt transferred to Arizona State before the 2024 season and enjoyed a breakout year as a redshirt freshman, leading the squad to a Big 12 championship. He has been playing as a redshirt sophomore this season, throwing for 1,628 yards and 10 touchdowns with three interceptions before his injury.
Missing the rest of the season is extremely disappointing, as Dillingham said when announcing Leavitt’s injury.
“This is like the worst, obviously, news that he wanted to hear because it means he can’t play football,” Dillingham said. “He loves the game of football. He loves this place. So, it’s definitely unfortunate for him.
“I just feel bad for him that he has been dinged up all year, and he’s been battling for our football team. It’s unfortunate that it just hasn’t gotten any better.”
Leavitt is now expected to return to Arizona State next season, but he is also eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft. He had been projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 draft, but his stock is now uncertain following the season-ending injury.
Sun Devils beat writer Anthony Totri reported that it wouldn’t make sense for Leavitt to leave early and become a second- or third-round pick. Totri said that Leavitt could earn more financially as a college quarterback than as a rookie second-rounder.
Dillingham also admitted he doesn’t have an answer about Leavitt’s next move yet.
“I wish I could answer that question,” Dillingham said. “I’m not even beginning to process what are his next steps. I haven’t even asked him that.”
NFL scouts have raved about Leavitt’s arm strength and poise under pressure, while also viewing him as a “talented thrower and very strong runner.” He will now focus on returning to school to further develop and prepare for the 2027 draft.
The Sun Devils are 5-3 this season and ranked No. 28 nationally in the PFSN CFB Playoff Meter.
