TEMPE, Ariz. — The desert never sleeps during college football’s offseason, and this one just got louder. Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has entered the transfer portal, setting off a familiar chain reaction of speculation, message-board theories and quarterback roulette across the Power Five.
Leavitt’s decision comes as rumors swirl around Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham and potential interest from Michigan, a development that has added gasoline to an already smoldering situation. Whether those rumors turn into reality remains to be seen, but the timing is impossible to ignore. Quarterbacks, after all, tend to follow certainty — or at least opportunity.
What is certain: Leavitt leaves Tempe after helping orchestrate one of the most memorable seasons in modern Sun Devils history in 2024 and following it up with an injury hobbled 2025, which put Arizona State back in bowl season at the Sun Bowl.
A Season That Changed the Trajectory
Leavitt played a pivotal role in Arizona State’s Big 12 championship run last season, guiding an offense that balanced efficiency, toughness and timely explosiveness. Alongside bruising running back Cam Skattebo, Leavitt helped power a Sun Devils team that exceeded expectations and punched its ticket to the Peach Bowl, a milestone moment for a program still finding its footing in a new conference.
He didn’t do it with flash alone. Leavitt protected the football, operated effectively in Dillingham’s system and delivered in high-leverage moments. His growth over the course of the season mirrored Arizona State’s rise — steady early, confident late, and dangerous when games tightened.
Dillingham, an Arizona State alumnus, built that offense on tempo, physicality and quarterback decision-making. Leavitt fit it well, which is why his portal entry feels less like a surprise and more like a signal that change may be coming at the top.
Familiar Roads and Old Connections
Leavitt’s path to Tempe was not a straight line. He originally committed to Washington State but flipped and enrolled at Michigan State, arriving in East Lansing during a period of transition. Following Mel Tucker’s abrupt firing and the subsequent hiring of Jonathan Smith, Leavitt elected to move on, seeking stability and opportunity elsewhere.
Arizona State provided both.
Now, the portal opens again — and with it, a list of suitors that reflects Leavitt’s résumé: proven winner, Power Five experience, and postseason success.
Most Likely Destinations
If Leavitt leaves the desert, here are the programs that make the most sense, based on opportunity, scheme fit and history.
Oregon
This one checks every box. Leavitt is from Oregon, and the Ducks have consistently welcomed quarterbacks with experience and mobility. Oregon’s offense thrives on tempo and efficiency, and Leavitt’s skill set aligns cleanly with what the Ducks value. If Oregon wants him, this landing spot feels more likely than speculative.
Miami
The Hurricanes continue to chase consistency at quarterback, and Leavitt’s Big 12 success would translate well in an offense that values decisiveness and rhythm. Miami also offers exposure, resources and a clear path to relevance if the right quarterback emerges, as Ward and Beck showed under Cristobal.
LSU
Any quarterback entering the portal must consider LSU, especially with a coaching staff that embraces offensive creativity and portal aggression. Baton Rouge has become a quarterback-friendly destination with the arrival of Kiffin, and Leavitt’s experience in big games would play well in the SEC.
Oh, and the last Sun Devil QB to transfer there did pretty well!
Indiana
Quietly logical. Indiana has searched for sustained quarterback stability, and Leavitt’s ability to manage games while still stretching the field could elevate a Hoosiers offense looking for consistency in the Big Ten. Following in Mendoza’s footsteps with Cignetti sounds fun!
Texas Tech
The Red Raiders never shy away from quarterback reinvention. Texas Tech’s system allows passers to play fast and fearless, and Leavitt’s comfort in a spread attack makes this a natural fit, plus NIL resources galore in Lubbock.
The Michigan Angle
Here’s where things get spicy.
If Dillingham were to take the Michigan job, Leavitt to Ann Arbor suddenly becomes more than a thought exercise. Michigan’s quarterback room could see movement, including the possibility of Bryce Underwood exploring options elsewhere. A quarterback swap scenario may sound like fan fiction, but portal history says stranger things happen weekly.
Quarterbacks follow coaches. Systems matter. Familiarity matters. Keep this one filed under “monitor closely.”
Oh, the twist of going from a former Spartan to a future Wolverine is there too.
Other Names to Watch
Michigan State remains a longshot reunion possibility. With Pat Fitzgerald now on staff and a new regime in place, Sparty could theoretically explore bringing Leavitt back. But that door feels more ajar than open and remains highly unlikely if Dillingham ends up in Ann Arbor.
Nebraska also qualifies as a distant option, though fit and timing would have to align, although there is now an opening.
The Bigger Picture
Leavitt’s portal entry isn’t a rejection of Arizona State. It’s a reflection of modern college football, where success creates leverage and uncertainty breeds movement. He helped deliver a conference title, a major bowl appearance and belief back to Tempe.
Now, he looks for the next chapter.
Wherever Leavitt lands, he brings more than stats. He brings credibility. He’s been in championship games. He’s played under pressure. He’s won.
And as the carousel spins — coaches rumored, quarterbacks relocating, fan bases refreshing social media like it’s playoff season — one thing is clear: Sam Leavitt won’t stay available long.
In today’s college football, quarterbacks don’t wait. They move. And the desert just released a good one.
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