In an era where college football is increasingly dictated by the size of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has delivered a resounding message: loyalty still matters.
In a shocking and rare twist amid the modern whirlwind of transfer portal chaos, Leavitt has reportedly turned down a staggering $8.7 million NIL offer from the University of Tennessee, an offer designed to coax him into the portal and join the Volunteers in the SEC. The deal, more than double his current NIL valuation at Arizona State, would have made him one of the top-earning players in all of college football.
But Leavitt declined — emphatically.
“I Came Here for a Reason. I’m Not Running Now.”
Sam Leavitt, who transferred to Arizona State from Michigan State before the 2024 season, is coming off a breakout campaign that saw him cement himself as one of the most promising quarterbacks in the Pac-12 (soon to be Big 12). With poise, precision, and a fiery competitive streak, he became a cornerstone for head coach Kenny Dillingham’s vision for the program’s future.
Now entering what he says will be his final collegiate season, Leavitt has made it clear that no amount of money will dissuade him from finishing what he started in Tempe.
“I came to Arizona State because I saw something bigger than just football,” Leavitt said in a personal statement shared through the Sun Devils’ athletic department. “We’re building something special here, and no amount of money is going to make me walk away from the teammates, coaches, and community that believed in me before the stats came.”
He added pointedly: “It’s easy to chase bags. It’s harder to chase legacy.”
The NIL Tug-of-War
News of Tennessee’s attempted tampering move exploded across social media late Monday night, as several NIL insiders and college football reporters confirmed that a third-party representative tied to Tennessee’s collective had made multiple back-channel approaches to Leavitt’s camp. The offer, according to sources close to the situation, involved a base NIL salary of $8.7 million — structured through endorsements, media appearances, performance incentives, and local marketing campaigns across Knoxville.
By comparison, Leavitt’s current NIL valuation — estimated between $3.5 million and $4 million — comes from a mix of Phoenix-area partnerships, digital brand sponsorships, and a recently signed regional television deal with a sports drink company.
Tennessee’s offer was not only audacious in scale, but also aggressive in timing, coming just days after Leavitt had posted footage from spring practice showcasing his improved footwork and downfield accuracy. Several SEC insiders believe Tennessee, still searching for a proven game-changing quarterback following an inconsistent 2024 campaign, saw Leavitt as the missing piece.
But according to Leavitt’s agent, Mark Valenza, the answer was never in doubt.
“Sam is about leadership and growth,” Valenza said. “He appreciated the interest from Tennessee, but he has deep loyalty to Coach Dillingham and the ASU program. He believes in what they’re building. There was never a real consideration to leave.”
Arizona State’s Culture Standing Strong
In today’s college football landscape — where the transfer portal and NIL create a free-market frenzy — Arizona State’s ability to retain Leavitt speaks volumes about the culture being cultivated in Tempe.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham, who turned heads by hiring a mostly youthful and innovative staff, has stressed “homegrown loyalty” and “program-first commitment” since taking the reins in late 2022. While the Sun Devils went through their expected growing pains in 2023, by 2024 they started showing signs of life behind Leavitt’s leadership.
“He’s not just a quarterback,” Dillingham said in response to the news. “He’s the heartbeat of this team. His decision sends a message to every guy in this locker room and across the country. This isn’t just about NIL. This is about purpose.”
Several of Leavitt’s teammates also voiced public support after the announcement. Wide receiver Elijhah Badger posted, “That’s my QB. Ten toes down with us. Let’s shock the world.”
Running back Cam Skattebo chimed in with, “You can’t buy loyalty. You can’t buy legacy. Salute to 7.”
Tennessee’s Risky Gambit
The fallout from the attempted move has cast a shadow over Tennessee football, especially under the watch of head coach Josh Heupel. While tampering accusations have become common across college football, few reach this level of public exposure. And fewer still are rebuffed in such a public fashion.
Heupel and Tennessee have yet to release an official comment, though a statement from a Tennessee collective distanced itself from any official university involvement: “The University of Tennessee remains committed to NCAA compliance and has no knowledge of any impermissible contact involving student-athletes from other programs.”
Nevertheless, the episode has ignited renewed debate over the unchecked influence of NIL collectives and the blurring lines between “opportunity” and “poaching.” Critics argue that Tennessee’s actions, while not unprecedented, toe the line of ethical and legal ambiguity — and may invite scrutiny from both the NCAA and the SEC.
“If this is allowed to go on unchecked, the transfer portal becomes just another free-agent market,” said one anonymous Pac-12 administrator. “What’s the point of recruiting and development if someone else can just buy your star quarterback out from under you?”
NFL Future Still Looms Large
For Leavitt, the decision to remain with Arizona State doesn’t just reinforce his commitment to the program — it also reflects a calculated bet on his own long-term potential.
With NFL scouts closely monitoring his progress, many believe Leavitt could rise to a Day 1 or Day 2 draft pick in 2026. His mobility, accuracy on the move, and leadership intangibles have already drawn comparisons to a young Brock Purdy. But Leavitt knows the NFL will come — with or without a major NIL payday in 2025.
“My dream isn’t just to make it to the league,” Leavitt told Sun Devil Source. “It’s to do it the right way, with my people. We’re going to take this program somewhere it hasn’t been in a long time. That’s the legacy I want to leave.”
A Moment That May Define an Era
As the college football world absorbs the full impact of Leavitt’s decision, many are already calling it a turning point in the NIL era. In a time when players are frequently criticized for “chasing the bag” or abandoning commitments for bigger offers, Leavitt’s refusal to be bought out is a rare and powerful statement.
Analyst Joel Klatt weighed in during his latest podcast episode, saying: “Sam Leavitt just did something every old-school coach in America has been begging for — he chose loyalty over money. And guess what? That loyalty will probably make him even more marketable in the long run.”
What’s Next for the Sun Devils?
With Leavitt staying put, expectations for Arizona State’s 2025 campaign have skyrocketed. The Sun Devils are poised to enter the new Big 12 with momentum and a solidified QB1. A potent offensive core returns with Badger, Skattebo, and four starting offensive linemen, while the defense has made significant gains in the portal.
If Leavitt delivers on the promise of his decision, the Sun Devils could go from rebuilding project to legitimate Big 12 title contender in a single year.
Meanwhile, Leavitt’s brand — already a favorite in Phoenix — is expected to skyrocket nationally. Multiple sources confirm that new local deals are already in the works to reward his loyalty, including a campaign from a major Arizona-based sportswear company with the tagline: “Built Different. Stayed True.”
Final Thoughts
At a time when college football is in flux — a battleground of shifting conferences, escalating NIL arms races, and wild portal swings — Sam Leavitt has reminded everyone that some things can’t be bought.
His decision to reject an $8.7 million offer from Tennessee will be remembered not just as a personal stand, but potentially as a defining moment in the evolution of college football. It was a message to fans, coaches, teammates, and fellow players: