Sam Leavitt on transferring to LSU from ASU: ‘I wanted to do something different’
Leavitt said he enjoyed the success and relationships he built at ASU, but he wanted something different and felt LSU had what he needed.
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Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt spoke for the first time at LSU since his arrival in Baton Rouge and provided some details on his departure from the Sun Devils.
During an event at LSU’s indoor practice facility on Thursday, Leavitt said he enjoyed the success and relationships he built at ASU, but he wanted something different and felt LSU had what he needed for the next phase of his college career.
“I had a comfortable situation… built great relationships, won a lot of games there. But I wanted to do something different,” Leavitt said. “It’s funny that’s kind of what everyone is saying around here, it’s just different.”
LSU QB Sam Leavitt on why he chose to transfer from ASU to LSU at The Huddle event at LSU’s Indoor Practice Facility.
This is the first time Leavitt has spoken since his arrival to Baton Rouge. #lsufootball pic.twitter.com/zQebFl2cEu
— Juliette Marino (@MarinoJuli23940) July 30, 2026
Leavitt transferred to LSU this offseason after two seasons at ASU, joining first-year Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin. Leavitt marks the latest ASU quarterback to transfer to LSU, following Jayden Daniels’ move to the Tigers in 2022.
“In every aspect, we come out here to practices, and the way individual reps are ran, the way that every single coach is just so poured into this,” Leavitt said. “It’s truly just a different situation. You talk about being a pro and try to become the best version of yourself, and there’s no better place to do it.”
Leavitt’s tenure in Tempe was highlighted by a breakout 2024 season in which he passed for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns while adding 443 yards and five scores on the ground. Along with running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, Leavitt was one of the top offensive stars on a team that won the Big 12 championship and reached the quarterfinals of the 2024 College Football Playoff.
Leavitt’s 2025 season was plagued by injuries, as he played just seven games and missed the Sun Devils’ last five games due to season-ending foot surgery.
The Sun Devils moved on quickly after Leavitt’s departure, adding Cutter Boley and Mikey Keene through the transfer portal.
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Comments
7 Comments
Yes Sam, something different, different as in about double the NIL $'s that ASU could give you.
Sam changed schools every year of highs school and now has three colleges. Not much he really needs to explain.
Sam gave ASU a couple really good years, helped Dilly get the program started, so as an ASU fan, I'll always be grateful. The locker room environment Dilly has developed is a special kind of legacy that should only get stronger. No way ASU goes anywhere without that locker room environment. But with fundamental building block in place, the sky is ASU's only limit. What Dilly accomplished his 1st 2 years was amazing, but if ASU/ Dilly can add another year of development this year, ASU will be able to enter the rhelm of elite football schools. The first challenge will take place in Lubbock Texas on Sept 12 at 9 AM in front of a National audience. In Dilly I trust for sure.
Factoring his extensive injury history, I can't blame Sam for wanting to cash in at LSU, have those $$$ in the bank, just in case. Medically, a Lisfranc mid-foot ligament tear is a chronic injury, that a large majority of the time never truly heals without major surgery, which tends to be very costly for a players speed and quickness. The way his foot is constructed, he's very susceptible to reinjuring his foot to the point where he never heals.
I just don't see LSU being able to get there this year and because of all the gigantic, Uber-Strong, Uber-Fast athletes in the SEC, I don't see how Sam is able to stay healthy all season, especially at LSU where there are going to be so many bulls-eyes squarely focused on Lane Kiffin.