Backup QB Jeff Sims will return to Arizona State next year, Kenny Dillingham says

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham said backup quarterback Jeff Sims is expected back on the team in 2025, a move that retains stability behind starter Sam Leavitt.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta that Sims was returning next season, which Dillingham pointed toward as a sign of how tight-knit and bought-in ASU is as a team.

“Yes, we have superstars,” Dillingham said. “But the root of this thing, the root of what’s making this go is every single person in the building is pushing the same direction. There’s no hidden agendas, there’s no selfishness.

“It’s a unique combination of 18, 22, 23-year-olds and coaches who just all want the same thing. That’s rare in this day and age.”

Sims, who has played in five college seasons, appeared in four total games this season and three in the regular season, which allowed him to redshirt.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Sims made one start, a 24-14 road loss to Cincinnati on Oct. 19 that saw him complete 12 of 23 passes for 155 yards while rushing 14 times for 53 yards.

Sims got the start because Leavitt was recovering from a chest injury.

He last took six carries for 31 yards in the Big 12 Championship win against Iowa State and is eligible to retain his redshirt if needed in ASU’s College Football Playoff game.

Sims has plenty of experience. He was a three-year starter at Georgia Tech before struggling with turnovers in 2023 at the start of the season with Nebraska before he was benched.

The quarterback, who Dillingham called an NFL prospect in the spring, has thrown for 4,914 yards and 31 touchdowns with 29 interceptions in his career.

He’s additionally rushed for 1,456 yards and 13 scores.

Leavitt beat out Sims for the starting job in spring ball.

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