Sam Leavitt, the quarterback for Arizona State and former player at Michigan State, may not return to Tempe in 2026, as reported by Steve Wiltfong and Pete Nakos of On3. Leavitt transferred to Arizona State after the 2023 season and made an impressive impact by leading the Sun Devils to the 2024 Big XII championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff. However, his 2025 season was cut short due to a foot injury that required surgery, limiting him to just seven games.
As a redshirt sophomore, Leavitt is contemplating his options for 2026, including the possibility of entering the NFL Draft. That said, many believe it would be beneficial for him to return to college football to demonstrate his recovery and readiness for the next level.
Across 24 games in his college career, spanning Michigan State and Arizona State, Leavitt has completed 61.4% of his passes, accumulating 4,652 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 810 yards and secured 10 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
In a significant turn of events, Leavitt’s camp is reportedly exploring transfer opportunities at a high level. This could create a favorable scenario for Miami football, which has successfully integrated transfer QBs over the past two seasons. Notably, Cam Ward, who arrived in 2024, became a Heisman Trophy finalist and the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft following an outstanding season with the Hurricanes. Meanwhile, Carson Beck has had a mixed but notable performance in 2025 as well.
Leavitt, ranked as the No. 311 prospect and the No. 21 quarterback in the 2024 composite rankings by 247Sports, could bolster Miami’s quarterback situation. Currently, the Hurricanes have a mix of young quarterbacks, including redshirt sophomore Emory Williams and redshirt freshman Judd Anderson, all of whom have eligibility beyond this season. They are also preparing to welcome four-star QB Dereon Coleman into their 2026 recruiting class.
The decision on whether Miami will once again look to the transfer portal to acquire a quarterback will hinge on the confidence that head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson have in their returning players. With Leavitt potentially on the move, the landscape of Miami’s quarterback room for 2026 may be set to change dramatically, offering an exciting opportunity for the program to strengthen its roster.