Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt was listed as doubtful following Thursday’s Big 12 availability report, despite being listed as probable on Wednesday, as the Sun Devils look likely to take on Utah without their starting Quarterback.
After passing for 1,039 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions to start the season, Pro Football Network’s CFB QB Impact score ranks the quarterback 25th overall on the season, with a QB impact score of 84.9.
‘It’ll Be A Mini Miracle.’ Sam Leavitt Injury Update: What’s the Latest on the Arizona QB, and Will He Play vs. Utah?
Arizona head coach Kenny Dillingham recently offered a definitive answer to whether his starting quarterback would take to the field against Utah this weekend, after being listed as doubtful on Thursday’s Big 12 availability report.
Kenny Dillingham on Arizona Sports: Sam Leavitt “does everything he possibly can” to play, but “if he plays in the game, it will be a mini miracle, I’d be shocked.”
Leavitt aggravated his injury against Baylor, per Dillingham, it hasn’t progressed as hoped, decision was made.
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) October 10, 2025
“Sam’s been battling something going back to Baylor. The bye week was good for him to get kind of back, and this week it didn’t feel as good as we wanted to. … If he plays in the game, it’ll be a mini miracle. I’d be shocked.” Dillingham explained to Bickley & Mariotta.
According to Dillingham, the reason for Leavitt’s absence is due to a reinjury he suffered against Baylor, stating that the quarterback hadn’t progressed as he had hoped going into this weekend’s game; however, the specific injury remains undisclosed.
Despite suffering an apparent injury the week prior, Leavitt featured heavily against TCU on September 26th, where he appeared to shake off the effects of his injury, throwing for 291 yards, two touchdowns, and rushing for over 60 yards.
After his performances last season had him as one of college football’s most highly rated quarterbacks, leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship, Leavitt started the season slowly, throwing three interceptions over the team’s first two games.
Arizona Backup Quarterback Jeff Sims Potentially in Line for Start
With it looking increasingly more likely that Leavitt will not feature against Utah, backup quarterback Jeff Sims is expected to start, with Dillingham stating that he still has full confidence in the former Georgia Tech and Nebraska player leading the team.
NEW: Arizona State is expected to start former Georgia Tech/Nebraska QB Jeff Sims against Utah, as Sam Leavitt is unlikely to play, @PeteNakos_ reports.https://t.co/qiYzaJVT0k pic.twitter.com/vvYgE2gzWa
— On3 (@On3sports) October 10, 2025
“The game plan is not changing. We have a lot of confidence in Jeff. This is his opportunity. I’m excited for him. That’s one thing I can say.” Dillingham explained, after announcing that his starting quarterback would most likely be out.
Last season, Sims started a single game, which was a loss at Cincinnati, as the former Georgia Tech quarterback threw for 155 yards, with 53 rushing yards on 14 carries. Sims also featured after Leavitt went off with an injury against Utah last year.
Utah and Arizona will play Saturday night at 10:15 p.m. EST at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN, and barring any mini miracles, it’ll be Sims who is trusted to continue the Sun Devils’ strong start to the season.
