“The ability to speak does not make you intelligent.”- Qui-Gon Jinn
- ASU QB Sam Leavitt 6’2 200lb Sophomore
Last season as a freshman, Sam threw for 2800 yards and 24 touchdowns with 6 interceptions. He also net gained 443 yards on the ground and scored 5 touchdowns, helping the Sun Devils and Coach Kenny Dillingham win eleven games and a conference title.
This season the opportunity is there for Sam to build upon last season. Led by an all-Senior offensive line, flanked by two elite receivers, and a sturdy boy tight end, the potential is there for a 3800+ yard season through the air and somewhere between 28-31 touchdowns.
Returning thousand-yard receiver Jordyn Tyson and the 6’4″ 255lb tight end Chamon Metayer–and the fifteen touchdowns caught between them–and then adding one of this site’s favorite players, Fresno St transfer Jalen Moss who has caught ten (10) touchdowns already in his young career, only means quarterback Sam Leavitt is on the rise for this season.
There are a few tricky road games to navigate and a few far better than average defenses that are worth highlighting as potential games where this still relatively young QB will get tested.
A very real test will be Week 2 on the road in Starkville. A win is win in that building. Meaning, I don’t expect him to light up the scoreboard in that one, but I do think the Sun Devils, led by the defense will win it. Regardless of any confidence he may have after beating the Bulldogs 30-23 in Tempe week 2 of last season, Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field is a rowdy place to win.
Cowbells clangin’, shitkickers stampin’ it’s a helluva place to try to win on the road. Don’t get me wrong, plenty of teams win there; I’ve witnessed plenty, but don’t ever think it’s easy cuz you’d be wrong. There’s been and still is a lot of pride in that ol’ cowtown. Bitter love and hopeful pride. There’ s Maroon and White, love and pride–and an ancient desire to whip the team up north. Starkville’s grown through the years, but the traditions stay the same.
Who didn’t love watching Coach Dillingham inject positivity into the freshman last season? I found myself catching most of their games and I remember thinking in one or two that the freshman would crumble after an interception or because of some sort of misfortune like most freshman, but credit to Sam and credit to Coach Dillingham for rising above the mistakes and coming back the next drive more confident. This is one of those things that I expect the two to build upon, but I do not think Coach Kenny’s positivity will be needed as much.
This is a full grown and ready quarterback that has played a full season including, a Big12 title and College Football Playoff game–with a veteran, strong unit at offensive line, two NFL caliber receivers, and a redzone safety valve tight end–who is ready to ‘face the trials.’ And there certainly will be trials in these following road games:
- @ Baylor
- @ Utah
- @ Iowa St
On top of these being road games, these are also very tricky secondaries to face. The tests and trials that will continue to grow and challenge Leavitt will also prove him to be one of the elite QB’s in the country, if he can lead his team in these tough spots and pile the numbers like last year.
Again, the talent is there. Sam Leavitt is 25/1 to win the Heisman right now. If his team goes 10-2 (losses: @ Iowa St, WVU) and he throws for 3500+ yards and accounts for (35) or so touchdowns, whether on the ground or thru the air, I believe he could be a Heisman finalist. He’s my rising star in the desert.
Is it this year his year? Or, perhaps the next. Both Moss and Tyson are Juniors and if all three play together in 2026 that could be the best passing attack in the Big12. Maybe next year is the year. Lest we forget about the entire offensive line being seniors. Building an offensive line is a tricky thing to do. Big football schools do it year and year out, but the offensive line position is very competitive, and schools like Arizona St might not land groups like this one as often.
Yeah, this is the year. Go Sun Devils! Light up the scoreboard. I’ll be watching the 6’5, 300 pound “earth movers” as they lead the team and protect their gunslinger. He’ll have the time he needs to carefully select throws, and he certainly has the talent both internal and surrounding him to make the plays.
Jalen Moss is a blast to watch. Elite hands, body control, and sideline awareness. I’ve written on this site before comparing him to former LSU receiver Justin Jefferson. This is a much-improved offense from what his situations have been the past two years at Fresno St, and I expect him to have an immediate positive impact on this already clicking offense, and further, to have an impact on the game of football for years. This is a true growth year for Jalen. I believe in him. I know Coach Dillingham believes in him. Does Jalen Moss believe in himself?
There isn’t much else to say other than I like this Sun Devil team. I didn’t mention their veteran defense led by Senior Safety Xavier Alford, but this is a very well-rounded, experienced, and athletic team.
Will my projection of 10-2 suit them or are the Sun Devils destined for greater things? With the ‘rising star in the desert’ at the helm, special things could happen.
Arizona St opens with Northern Arizona at home. 56-3 sounds right. Leavitt for 5 touchdowns.
Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.