In an era where college athletes are increasingly empowered by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has made a decision that defies modern convention. While the allure of a massive payday has lured many star players into the transfer portal, Leavitt stunned the college football world by turning down a jaw-dropping $7.7 million NIL offer from the University of Tennessee. Instead, he reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the Arizona State Sun Devils — a program he believes in, and one where he plans to finish what he started.
This isn’t just a story about college football. It’s a story about integrity, loyalty, legacy, and a young man who values something money can’t buy: being remembered as the one who stayed.
The Offer That Shook Tempe
Word first broke late last week when multiple sources reported that Tennessee, desperate for quarterback depth and already dealing with uncertainty at the position, extended a record-setting NIL package to Leavitt. The deal would have made him one of the highest-paid players in college football — eclipsing what some NFL rookies receive in guaranteed money.
Speculation ran rampant. Would Leavitt make the leap? Would he chase the dollars and enter the transfer portal, joining a Volunteers program with an SEC pedigree and legitimate College Football Playoff aspirations?
Instead, Leavitt responded with clarity and conviction: “I’m not for sale.”
Within hours of the offer being made public, Leavitt took to social media to issue a statement.
“Arizona State believed in me when others didn’t. I came here to build something special. I’m staying to finish that mission. Forks Up.”
Those five words — “I’m staying to finish that mission” — now echo through the halls of ASU’s athletic department as a rallying cry.
A Journey Rooted in Grit
Leavitt’s path to this moment has never been conventional. The Portland, Oregon native originally signed with Michigan State out of high school. As a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, he was heavily recruited by West Coast programs but opted for the Big Ten grind.
However, his freshman season was riddled with instability in East Lansing. Amid coaching changes and inconsistency at the quarterback position, Leavitt saw limited action but showed flashes of high-level talent. Rather than stick around in a program clearly in flux, he entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season.
That’s when Arizona State and head coach Kenny Dillingham came calling.
Dillingham, a rising star in coaching circles, had built his reputation as a quarterback developer — and he saw something special in Leavitt. The fit was immediate. The system suited Leavitt’s mobility, quick decision-making, and underrated arm strength.
Though ASU finished with a losing record last season, Leavitt’s progression was undeniable. By the final four games, he had solidified himself as the team’s starting quarterback and emotional leader.
The Rising Star in Tempe
Leavitt’s impact on the Sun Devils isn’t just measured in touchdown passes or quarterback ratings. It’s in the way teammates respond to him. It’s in the way he commands the huddle, encourages younger players, and holds himself accountable.
In the 2024 season, Leavitt threw for over 2,400 yards with 17 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions, while also adding 450 yards and 6 scores on the ground. But even more impressive was his resilience behind an injury-depleted offensive line and within an offense still finding its identity.
“Sam is everything you want in a quarterback,” Coach Dillingham said after ASU’s final game. “He’s tough, he’s smart, and he puts the team before himself. That’s rare these days.”
And now, it’s even rarer.
NIL Temptations: The New Reality of College Football
To fully appreciate Leavitt’s decision, one must understand the current landscape of college athletics. The NCAA’s NIL policy, enacted in 2021, allows student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness — and it’s completely reshaped the recruiting and transfer market.
For quarterbacks, particularly those with starting experience, the NIL value can soar into the millions. Schools with deep-pocketed collectives and corporate partnerships are using financial incentives to bolster rosters. It’s a legal, albeit controversial, arms race.
Tennessee has been at the forefront of this movement. The Volunteers recently made headlines by securing top prospects with seven-figure deals, building one of the most talent-rich rosters in the country.
For Leavitt, though, the decision was about more than money.
“I’m not saying NIL is bad,” Leavitt told reporters. “I’m saying it’s not the reason I play football. I didn’t grow up dreaming about endorsements. I grew up dreaming about leading a program, earning respect, and leaving something behind.”
Culture Shift at Arizona State
Leavitt’s decision has instantly transformed Arizona State’s locker room. What was once a rebuilding team trying to find its footing has now found its face — and its identity.
In an age where players often leave after one season, Leavitt staying put is a symbol of hope for the Sun Devils faithful.
Senior wide receiver Elijhah Badger tweeted, “Sam’s got that dawg in him. This whole team’s behind him. We’re building something in Tempe.”
Offensive lineman Isaiah Glass called Leavitt “the leader this team needed,” while freshman tight end Jaxon Lewis referred to him as “the blueprint.”
And for Coach Dillingham, the moment is a culture-defining milestone.
“When your best player turns down nearly $8 million to stay with your program, it speaks volumes,” he said. “That’s the foundation we want to build on.”
The Legacy Play
For Leavitt, staying at ASU isn’t just about the 2025 season — it’s about his place in Sun Devils history.
Jake Plummer, Rudy Carpenter, Taylor Kelly — Arizona State has seen memorable quarterbacks, but none in recent memory have shown the kind of commitment Leavitt is demonstrating now.
He’s on pace to break records, possibly contend for All-Pac-12 honors, and, if the cards fall right, maybe even put Arizona State in contention for a New Year’s Six bowl berth.
More than stats or accolades, though, it’s about meaning.
“I want to walk back onto this campus in 20 years and know I helped change something,” Leavitt said. “I want to be part of the group that made ASU matter again.”
The Ripple Effects
Leavitt’s loyalty could influence more than just Arizona State.
Recruits are taking notice. Several top-100 players have already shown renewed interest in ASU, citing Leavitt’s leadership and the program’s direction. The message: If a star like Sam Leavitt believes, why shouldn’t I?
Additionally, other college athletes may start to reassess the role of NIL in their own decision-making processes. While financial security is important, Leavitt’s story reminds everyone that there’s still room for tradition, loyalty, and legacy in college sports.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season
With Leavitt returning, Arizona State enters the 2025 season with stability at the most important position on the field. Expectations are higher than they’ve been in years.
The Sun Devils bring back nearly their entire offensive line, a deep backfield, and a healthy wide receiver corps. Defensively, they’ve added critical transfers to plug last season’s holes. More importantly, they’ve got a leader under center that teammates would run through a wall for.
“This isn’t just another season,” Leavitt said. “This is the season. We’re not rebuilding anymore. We’re ready.”
Early projections have Arizona State pegged as a dark-horse in the newly realigned Big 12. If Leavitt continues to ascend, he could find himself on Heisman watchlists and NFL Draft radars — a potential first-round pick in 2026.
But for now, he’s focused on one thing: winning in Tempe.
Final Thoughts: A Rarity in Modern Sports
Sam Leavitt’s decision to turn down a $7.7 million NIL deal isn’t just headline-worthy. It’s a bold stand against the mercenary culture creeping into college athletics.
In a landscape where loyalty often takes a backseat to opportunity, Leavitt is choosing to invest in relationships, trust in his coaches, and finish the journey he started. He’s betting on himself — not for a check, but for a championship, a legacy, and a moment that will be remembered forever in Arizona State history.
