2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Arizona State’s Quarterback Sam Leavitt

Arizona State’s star quarterback, Sam Leavitt, is a young yet talented quarterback prospect. Leavitt began his college career at Michigan State but transferred to Arizona State to win a starting role. Leavitt didn’t disappoint and took the reins in 2024, leading ASU to a Big 12 Championship and exceeding expectations in the College Football Playoffs. 

In 2024, he threw for 2,885 yards and racked up 24 touchdowns in the air. But the dual-threat quarterback also gained 443 rushing yards on the campaign and tallied 5 more touchdowns on the ground. What’s more, Leavitt only had 6 interceptions in 2024, proving his accuracy and coolness under fire. 

Strengths

Leavitt has a bit of Brett Favre in him. He’s not afraid to throw deep or into coverage, trusting his accuracy and arm strength. He improvised well on the run and can hurt opposing defenses with his legs, too. He’s poised in the pocket, can slide or step up to buy time, and isn’t afraid to scramble or pull the ball down and take off if the play isn’t there. 

To sum it up in one word, Leavitt is clutch.

Teams will like his leadership, never-die attitude, and mobility. Yes, Leavitt is still young, but with a second successful season in 2025, many prognosticators will predict that he will leave for the NFL. And with his talent, he may rank in the top five quarterback prospects, leaving him in a position to be drafted in the first round. 

Weaknesses

Leavitt doesn’t have elite size and will need to prove he can be consistent this coming year. He’s 6’2”, which is tall enough, but he weighs in at 200 lbs., so he will need to add strength and proper weight before transitioning to the pro game. And in terms of consistency, he will need to refine his footwork and throwing mechanics to be pro-ready for April’s draft. 

Conclusion 

Leavitt’s season will be one to watch. He’s athletic, mobile, throws an accurate deep ball, and is never rushed. Time ticks slowly for him in the pocket, and he’s never flustered. He doesn’t have a gun for an arm, but he’s accurate and calculating enough to overcome it. 

He won’t be considered ahead of the likes of Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik, or LaNorris Sellers, but Leavitt may find himself ranked as high as the fourth-best quarterback prospect in this class before all said and done. If he adds functional weight and improves his techniques, he will come off the board in the first round.