Arizona State starting quarterback Sam Leavitt will undergo season-ending surgery, head coach Kenny Dillingham told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Friday.
Leavitt was previously ruled out for Saturday’s game against Iowa State, as he has been in a walking boot for an injury he first suffered in ASU’s win over Baylor on Sept. 20.
The foot injury did not progress the way Leavitt or the program hoped it would. Leavitt pushed through it against TCU, missed a game against Utah and started against Texas Tech and Houston before being ruled done for the year.
Sixth-year senior Jeff Sims will start for Leavitt with Cam Dyer operating as the backup quarterback.
“ Early in the Baylor game,” Dillingham said the injury occurred. “So it’s been something that’s been lingering. Like I said, he’s been battling and fighting. He’s the ultimate competitor. This is like the worst, obviously, news that he wanted to hear because it means he can’t play football. He loves the game of football. He loves this place. So, it’s definitely unfortunate for him.”
The Sun Devils are dealing with a litany of injuries, including to wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who is doubtful for Saturday’s game in Ames.
A key question with Leavitt becomes whether or not he has played his final game for ASU, considering he is NFL Draft eligible.
“ I wish I could answer that question,” Dillingham said. “I’m not even beginning to process what are his next steps. I haven’t even asked him that. I just feel bad for him that he has been dinged up all year and he’s been battling for our football team. It’s unfortunate that it just hasn’t gotten any better.”
Leavitt completed 60.7% of his passes this season for 1,628 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran 73 times for 306 yards and five touchdowns.
He transferred to ASU from Michigan State ahead of the 2024 season, when he, Tyson and now-NFL running back Cam Skattebo led the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff. ASU entered this year as a No. 11 team in the AP Top 25 poll with Leavitt garnering some preseason Heisman buzz.
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. listed Leavitt as his seventh quarterback entering the 2026 NFL Draft.
Arizona State is 5-3 with a 3-2 conference record having lost to Houston last week.
The Sun Devils have three more regular season games after taking on Iowa State and the following bye week, as they will face West Virginia, Colorado and Arizona.
“Nobody cares your circumstance,” Dillingham said. “Everybody wants to see you fail. So if you’re worried about everybody else, you’re worried about the wrong things. Let’s focus on being the best version of us and playing this game with so much passion that people can feel it.”
ASU and Iowa State kick off in their Big 12 title game rematch on Saturday at 10 a.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.
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