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ASU’s Kenny Dillingham Reveals 2024 Starting Quarterback Choice
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State football has officially named Sam Leavitt as the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. The announcement came from head coach Kenny Dillingham following a team practice on Monday morning.
“Sam Leavitt is going to be our starting quarterback,” Dillingham stated. He expressed confidence in the team’s quarterback depth, noting that several players have demonstrated the ability to win games.
Leavitt, a redshirt freshman, transferred to ASU from Michigan State, where he played in four games last season, completing 15 out of 23 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, along with two interceptions.
Throughout fall camp, Leavitt consistently performed at a high level, outperforming competitors Trenton Bourguet and Jeff Sims, both of whom are in their final collegiate seasons. Dillingham highlighted Leavitt’s success in ball security as a key factor in earning the starting role.
“In 300 clips of team scenarios, he has two interceptions,” Dillingham remarked. “That’s an impressive ratio over the volume of plays.”
Leavitt’s ability to read the game effectively also impressed the coaching staff. Dillingham noted a noticeable improvement in Leavitt’s understanding of the game as the camp progressed, acknowledging that the pace would likely increase during actual games.
Originally from Oregon, Leavitt was a standout high school quarterback, earning the 2022 Oregon Player of the Year designation and leading West Linn High School to a state championship with 3,184 passing yards and 36 touchdowns.
His connection with Dillingham dates back to when the latter was an assistant at Florida State, where he initially recruited Leavitt. Now, as ASU’s starting quarterback, Leavitt will face Wyoming in the team’s season opener on August 31, 2024, at Mountain America Stadium, starting at 7:30 p.m.
The city of Phoenix supports a vibrant sports scene, featuring teams across major leagues including the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. The Valley also hosts numerous sporting events yearly, contributing to Arizona’s diverse sports culture.