In a college football landscape that has grown increasingly transactional, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has delivered a thunderous reminder that loyalty still matters.
Just days after inking a groundbreaking $15 million NIL deal that would keep him entrenched as the face of Arizona State football, Leavitt stunned the sports world by turning down a $25 million offer from the University of Kentucky. The offer, according to sources familiar with the negotiation, would have made Leavitt the highest-paid player in college football history.
But the Sun Devil signal-caller didn’t hesitate.
“My loyalty lies with Arizona State—this is home,” Leavitt posted on X (formerly Twitter), moments after the news broke. “No amount of money can replace the relationships I’ve built here or the belief this university had in me when others didn’t.”
In an era dominated by name, image, and likeness (NIL) power plays, transfer portal turbulence, and mega-million-dollar deals, Leavitt’s decision defies modern convention. It’s a move that’s reignited debates about the role of NIL, the true meaning of commitment, and the evolving identity of college football.
The Rise of Sam Leavitt
Leavitt’s journey to this moment has been anything but typical. Coming out of West Linn High School in Oregon, he was considered a promising but under-the-radar recruit. Rated as a four-star quarterback in the class of 2023, he initially committed to Washington State before flipping late in the cycle to Michigan State. But after a year in East Lansing that saw coaching turnover and instability, Leavitt hit the transfer portal with his sights set on a more stable and dynamic offensive environment.
Enter Arizona State.
First-year head coach Kenny Dillingham, himself a prodigy on the rise, saw Leavitt as a cornerstone for his vision of a new Sun Devil era. The fit was immediate. Leavitt showed flashes of brilliance in spring practice, earned the starting role by midseason, and quickly became one of the most exciting dual-threat quarterbacks in the Pac-12.
By season’s end, he had thrown for over 3,000 yards, rushed for another 600, and accounted for 31 total touchdowns. His leadership, poise under pressure, and dynamic playmaking ability elevated ASU from a middling program to a Pac-12 dark horse heading into 2025.
It was only a matter of time before the bigger players came calling.
Kentucky’s All-In Gamble
Sources indicate that Kentucky—under the new leadership of head coach Mark Pope, who is pushing for football prominence to match his basketball reputation—offered Leavitt a $25 million NIL package, structured through a network of booster-backed collectives and corporate sponsorships.
The Wildcats were in dire need of a star quarterback after consecutive subpar seasons in the SEC, and Leavitt represented the kind of athletic dynamo who could galvanize an entire program. Kentucky reportedly pitched Leavitt on being the “face of football in the Bluegrass State,” with immediate national exposure, state-wide billboards, and even a proposed stake in NIL-licensed real estate ventures.
The offer stunned insiders.
Never before had a Power Five school presented such an overt, high-dollar bid for a quarterback still in the developmental stage of his college career. For many, it seemed like a done deal—how could anyone say no to generational wealth?
Sam Leavitt did.
Why He Stayed: Heart Over Hype
“I’m not chasing a paycheck,” Leavitt said in a brief interview with local Arizona media on Saturday. “I’m chasing greatness. And I believe I can achieve that here, with my guys, in Tempe.”
For Leavitt, it’s personal.
Arizona State gave him the keys when other programs wanted to stash him on the bench. Coach Dillingham trusted him with the playbook, the locker room, and the future of the program. His teammates, many of whom are also young, developing talent, look to him not just as a player—but as a brother and a leader.
“That man means everything to us,” said ASU wide receiver Elijhah Badger. “He’s not just our quarterback—he’s our soul. The fact that he turned down $25 million to stay with us? That tells you everything you need to know.”
NIL at a Crossroads
Leavitt’s decision is poised to become a defining moment in the ever-controversial NIL era.
Since the NCAA relaxed its NIL regulations in 2021, college athletes have finally been able to profit from their brand and market value. The move has led to seismic shifts across every major sport, but especially in football—where boosters, brands, and universities have banded together to outbid one another for elite talent.
While this new reality has provided players long-overdue compensation, it has also created a cutthroat arms race. Loyalty has often become the first casualty.
Until now.
Leavitt’s rejection of the Kentucky offer—and reaffirmation of his commitment to ASU—sends a message that could reshape the narrative.
“Sam’s decision is a lighthouse in the fog,” said former USC quarterback and current ESPN analyst Matt Leinart. “It reminds us all that college football isn’t just about money. It’s about legacy, loyalty, and love for the game.”
Arizona State’s Gamble Pays Off
For Arizona State, Leavitt’s decision is nothing short of transformative.
The Sun Devils are entering a new era of college football, transitioning from the Pac-12 to the Big 12, and needing a foundational figure to anchor their identity. With Leavitt at the helm, ASU now becomes a legitimate Big 12 contender and a potential New Year’s Six bowl sleeper.
In addition to his on-field prowess, Leavitt’s off-field brand is soaring. His NIL package—reported to be structured through Tempe-based tech companies, local real estate development groups, and apparel giants—is built around sustainable, long-term growth rather than a quick payday.
“This isn’t just about paying Sam Leavitt,” said one ASU source. “It’s about building a brand with him, around him, and for him.”
The College Football World Reacts
Leavitt’s decision instantly drew praise—and astonishment—from players, coaches, and analysts across the sport.
- Caleb Williams, former Heisman winner and NFL No. 1 pick, posted: “Respect to Sam Leavitt. That’s rare loyalty. ”
- Pat McAfee said on his show: “We just witnessed a moment that’s gonna be talked about in every locker room in America. This kid walked away from TEN extra million dollars to stay loyal. LEGENDARY.”
- Nick Saban, even in retirement, chimed in via SEC Network: “Character like that doesn’t show up every day. That’s the kind of player you build dynasties around.”
What’s Next for Leavitt and ASU
With Leavitt under center, the expectations in Tempe are skyrocketing.
Arizona State returns a strong core of offensive weapons, a beefed-up offensive line, and a defense that showed serious flashes of dominance in 2024. Coach Dillingham, now entering his third year, has the culture clicking and the boosters backing.
ASU’s 2025 schedule includes marquee matchups against Kansas State, Utah, and Texas Tech—games that will have national playoff implications if Leavitt performs up to his potential.
“This isn’t the end of the story,” Leavitt said. “This is just the beginning. I’m all in on Arizona State. Let’s go shock the world.”
Final Thoughts: A Hero in the Desert
In a time when players are constantly on the move, and loyalty is often viewed as expendable, Sam Leavitt’s commitment to Arizona State is more than just a feel-good story.
It’s a declaration.
A declaration that heart still matters. That legacy can’t be bought. And that in the vast desert of college football’s shifting sands, one quarterback planted his flag and chose home.
