Big 12 Newcomer Reportedly Names Starting Quarterback Ahead Of 2024 Season

Arizona State's question at quarterback has an answer ahead of the 2024 college football season. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel , the Sun Devils have named Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt as the team's starter.

Leavitt, a redshirt freshman, transferred from the Spartans in December and battled for the starting role with redshirt junior Trenton Bourget and fifth-year senior transfer Jeff Sims. Following the spring and the first few weeks of fall camp, the decision came down to either Leavitt or Bourget.

Leavitt (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) started in four games as a true freshman in 2023, completing 15-of-23 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. The West Linn, Oregon, native was a four-star recruit, rated as the No. 18 quarterback and the No. 2 player in the state coming out of the 2023 class.

The Sun Devils faced a massive challenge at the position due to transfer portal attrition over the offseason. Former four-star Jaden Rashada, who started three games last season, transferred to Georgia after battling injury issues as a true freshman. Jacob Conover (Utah State) and Drew Pyne (Missouri) also transferred, leaving more questions than answers under second-year head coach Kenny Dillingham.

Only time will tell if Leavitt can find his stride under first-year coordinator Marcus Arroyo with a new-look Sun Devils offense. There won't be much margin for error as the program enters its first season in the Big 12.

Arizona State will open the 2024 season at home against Wyoming on Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET (FS1).

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