Desert Dark Horse: Why Sam Leavitt Could Be a Heisman Candidate in 2025
- Jordon Leon
- Aug 30
- 4 min read
A New Era in the Big XII
When Arizona State officially made the move to the Big XII in 2024, the transition was always going to come with growing pains. A new schedule. New opponents and a new level of competition. In year 1, ASU overcame all of those pre-season "tall tasks".
Now, heading into year two in the conference, the Sun Devils are no longer “newcomers.” They’re competitors. And at the center of it all is a quarterback who represents both the present and future of the program: Sam Leavitt.
The redshirt sophomore quarterback enters 2025 with expectations unlike anything ASU has seen in years. No longer just a developmental project, Leavitt is poised to lead Kenny Dillingham’s offense to new heights — and potentially make a case for college football’s most prestigious individual honor: the Heisman Trophy.
Sam Leavitt’s Path to Tempe
Leavitt’s story is one that resonates with fans and Heisman voters alike. Originally committed to Michigan State, Leavitt chose a fresh start in the desert with Kenny Dillingham’s quarterback-friendly system. His first year at ASU in 2024 was one of development, flashes of brilliance, and growth through adversity. Many said his season was "carried by Cam Skattebo"
A chip on his shoulder and the first season experience now sets the stage for a breakout 2025 season. With his redshirt year behind him, Leavitt enters his sophomore campaign with a firm grasp of the offense, continuity with returning weapons, and the confidence that he can take control of the Big XII spotlight.
The Tools of a Heisman QB
Heisman winners aren’t just good players — they’re electric, must-watch athletes who elevate their team every Saturday. Here’s why Leavitt fits that mold:
Dual-Threat Ability: Leavitt’s running ability adds an extra dimension to ASU’s attack. He’s elusive enough to extend plays, but strong enough to pick up key yards in short-yardage situations.
Improved Arm Talent: With a year of growth, Leavitt’s timing, accuracy, and confidence throwing deep have improved — a crucial factor in Dillingham’s spread passing game.
System Fit: Kenny Dillingham’s track record with quarterbacks (from Bo Nix at Oregon to Jordan Travis at FSU) proves he knows how to unlock playmakers. Leavitt is next in line.
Projected Stats for 2025
For Leavitt to be taken seriously as a Heisman contender, the numbers must jump off the page. Here’s a realistic projection based on ASU’s offensive scheme and expected improvement:
Passing: 3,600 yards | 28 touchdowns | 9 interceptions | 64% completion rate
Rushing: 650 yards | 8 touchdowns
Total: 4,250 yards of offense | 36 total TDs
Those numbers would put Leavitt near the top of the Big XII statistically and firmly on the radar of national media outlets. For context, Robert Griffin III’s Heisman-winning 2011 season at Baylor included 4,293 total yards and 47 TDs — proof that Leavitt’s path is possible if ASU competes at a high level.
Heisman Pathways: What Leavitt Needs
Statistical production is the baseline, but the Heisman is about more than box scores. Here’s what Leavitt needs to vault into New York’s December spotlight:
Big Numbers in Big Games: National voters pay attention when the lights are brightest. Matchups against Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor, and rival Arizona will serve as litmus tests.
Team Success: A Heisman candidate needs wins. ASU cannot afford to finish 6–6, Leavitt’s numbers will be overlooked. Now 9-10 wins? Suddenly he’s in the conversation.
Highlight Moments: The Heisman has a “SportsCenter Top 10” element. Think Johnny Manziel’s escapes, Lamar Jackson’s hurdles, or Caleb Williams’ off-script throws. Leavitt must deliver viral moments that define the season.
Consistency: He can’t afford dud games. A two-interception loss to a bottom-tier Big XII team could undo weeks of momentum.
The Narrative Factor
Perhaps the most important piece of any Heisman campaign is the storyline. Voters love players who represent more than just numbers — they want athletes who embody transformation.
Leavitt checks that box:
A redshirt sophomore leading a proud program into its Big XII identity.
The face of Kenny Dillingham’s rebuild in Tempe.
A quarterback who went from promising freshman to potential star within two years.
If the narrative becomes “Arizona State is winning again, and Sam Leavitt is the reason,” his candidacy will take off.
Big XII Comparisons and Legacy
The Big XII has a history of producing Heisman winners and finalists: Robert Griffin III, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, and Jalen Hurts all thrived in wide-open offensive systems. The conference is known for quarterbacks who light up the stat sheet — and Leavitt is built for that role.
If he delivers, Leavitt could become the face of a new generation of Big XII football as the league redefines itself in a post-Texas and Oklahoma era.
Dark Horse or Real Threat?
Heading into the 2025 season, Leavitt is not on the top line of betting odds. Preseason favorites like Arch Manning (Texas), Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame), and Jeremiah Love (Ohio State) will dominate headlines.
But history has proven that preseason favorites often stumble. Dark horses emerge when narrative, production, and winning collide. Robert Griffin III and Lamar Jackson weren’t preseason darlings — they became Heisman winners by seizing the spotlight.
Leavitt has the tools to do the same.
Final Word
Arizona State football enters its second year in the Big XII with momentum, belief, and a quarterback capable of changing everything. Sam Leavitt is no longer just developing — he’s ready to lead.
If he puts up the projected numbers, guides ASU to contention in the Big XII, and delivers the kind of highlight plays that capture the imagination of voters, his name won’t just be mentioned in passing. It’ll be etched into the Heisman conversation.
From Tempe to New York, the path is there. Now it’s up to Sam Leavitt to walk it.
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