ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

Kenny Dillingham on ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt: ‘This is the worst he’s ever going to be’

Oct 3, 2024, 8:30 AM

Quarterback Sam Leavitt #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils hugs head coach Kenny Dillingham after ...

Quarterback Sam Leavitt #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils hugs head coach Kenny Dillingham after the Sun Devils defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 30-23 at Mountain America Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)


Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham on Wednesday praised Sam Leavitt’s low-mistake start to the season.

Through his first four games, the ASU quarterback has thrown for 855 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s completed 59% of his passes so far and added 180 rushing yards with four scores on the ground.

There’s nothing eye-popping about those statistics, but Dillingham has loved the redshirt freshman’s command of the offense.

“That’s an unbelievable start to a career,” Dillingham said on the Sparky’s Den Podcast. “He’s getting us into good plays. He’s not hurting us from a procedural perspective. All the things that we’re kind of taking for granted right now that we haven’t faced with a young quarterback is just because of how he carries himself and the work he puts into the process.

“I tell him all (the time), this is the worst he’s ever going to be. Like, this is the worst quarterback play we’re going to have for the next three years because this is the worst he’s ever going to be. He’s going to get better and better and better and better and better and that’s the part that’s exciting.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Leavitt made just one turnover-worthy throw this season, an interception against Texas Tech in the first quarter of ASU’s 30-22 loss two weeks ago, which ties him for first in the FBS.

His 312 passing yards while facing pressure are the sixth-most in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s on 50 plays under pressure.

Leavitt’s legs have helped him create plays under pressure, both in the pass and run games. He’s taken seven total sacks this year and has rushed the ball eight or more times in all four games to start the season.

ASU will look for the program’s first Big 12 win when it hosts Kansas on Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. MST at Mountain America Stadium. Listen live on Arizona Sports 98.7.

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