Sun Devils Set to Ignite Camp Tontozona with Open Scrimmage

Arizona State Football fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the season with one pressing question: who will be the starting quarterback? As the team prepares for the upcoming season, the competition between redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt and senior Jeff Sims is heating up. Both new to the program this year, the two quarterbacks are vying for the coveted starting position.

During fall camp, Leavitt has been seen working primarily with the first-team offense. However, head coach Kenny Dillingham has not set a deadline for naming the starting quarterback. “Sometimes you do want to announce a starter when you don’t know how healthy the situation is from a program standpoint, but I think our program’s healthy. I think our program believes in them both,” Dillingham explained. “I think they both work together to bring the best out of each other.”

Despite Thursday’s practice being rough for both quarterbacks and wide receivers, with issues in accuracy and dropped passes, new offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo remains unfazed. “We’ve raised the standard around here with that position and we’re going to be really critical of them,” Arroyo stated. “They’ve been completing the ball at a really high percentage all camp and to have a day where there’s a lull gives us an opportunity as coaches to kind of get after them.”

Leavitt and Sims have shared their perspectives on the ongoing competition. Leavitt emphasized the importance of consistency and making the right decisions, saying, “Just being consistent and carrying your team and being the quarterback that the team needs.” Sims, on the other hand, stressed consistency and self-improvement. “Just trying to be the same person every day. Stack days, be consistent and really just try to compete against myself,” Sims commented.

Fans will get an opportunity to see both quarterbacks in action during Saturday morning’s scrimmage at Camp Tontozona, starting at 9 a.m. This scrimmage promises to provide valuable insights into each player’s capabilities as the team inches closer to finalizing its starting lineup.

Arizona is not just excited about college football; the state boasts a rich sports culture. Phoenix is home to four major professional sports teams: the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, while the Suns and Mercury call the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix their home.

In addition to these, the city also supports the Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers at Desert Diamond Arena and the USL’s Phoenix Rising FC at the Phoenix Rising FC Stadium. The Valley is a hub for major sporting events, including the college football’s Fiesta Bowl, the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open, NASCAR’s Championship Weekend, and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.

For more updates on the ASU quarterback competition and other sports events, follow Lina Washington on X and Instagram or email her at LWashington@12News.com.