ASU football OC’s thoughts on Sam Leavitt after transfer portal rumors
QB Sam Leavitt may enter the transfer portal after playing at Arizona State. Offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo reveals his thoughts on the rumors.
- Arizona State football may need a new quarterback with Sam Leavitt set to enter the transfer portal.
- Potential candidates linked to ASU include Colton Joseph, Dylan Raiola and DJ Lagway.
The Arizona State football team is preparing to lose quarterback Sam Leavitt to the transfer portal, and quarterback Jeff Sims’ eligibility will be exhausted.
While ASU football does have some young QBs currently on its roster and a highly touted quarterback recruit set to join the team out of high school, it is widely believed that the Sun Devils could add a QB in the transfer portal to play for the team next season.
Who will be that quarterback?
Check out some names that have been linked to Kenny Dillingham’s team as potential options in recent reports and speculation.
Will one of these players be the Arizona State football starting QB next season? The 2025-26 football transfer portal opens on Jan. 2.
Colton Joseph, Old Dominion
Joseph, a sophomore, threw for 2,624 yards last season, with 21 touchdown passes and 10 passes intercepted. He completed 59.7% of his passes. He also carried the ball 158 times for 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns, making him an enticing potential option for Arizona State.
Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Hicks wrote that Joseph is “of particular interest to Arizona State fans.”
Sports Illustrated’s Max Dorsey wrote: “Given Dillingham’s track record of developing quarterbacks, he would likely be interested in the Sun Devils. Joseph would be a great fit in Arizona State’s offense, with his ability to make plays as both a passer and a rusher. Overall, he’d be a welcome addition in Tempe.”
Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
Raiola was instantly linked to ASU after recently announcing he intended to enter the transfer portal. He threw for 18 touchdowns and 2,000 yards as a sophomore for the Huskers, and has an Arizona tie. He played at Chandler his junior year and briefly attended Phoenix Pinnacle before transferring to Georgia for his final year of high school.
Sports lllustrated’s Tucker Harlin listed ASU as a potential landing spot for Raiola, writing: “The Sun Devils have been starting Jeff Sims since Leavitt was lost for the season against Houston. With Michael Tollefson on the team as a redshirt freshman and Jake Fette coming in via the 2026 recruiting class, Raiola could be the bridge the Sun Devils need for the future.”
DJ Lagway, Florida
Lagway threw for 2,264 yards and 16 touchdowns, with 14 passes intercepted, last season as a sophomore and has been linked to Arizona State by some.
Fansided’s Chris Landers wrote of Lagway’s potential fit at ASU: “There’s a lot to like here: Dillingham is one of the brightest young offensive minds in the sport, and Arizona State can offer Lagway a chance to not only put up numbers but also compete right away in a wide-open Big 12. After two years of playing through nagging injuries, he could well jump at the opportunity to commit to a player-friendly coach like Dillingham, who gave his team an entire bye week off this season. And hey, the weather ain’t so bad either.”
Other potential quarterback options for Arizona State in transfer portal
The list of QBs expecting to transfer is huge, and growing every day, with Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati; Trey Owens, Texas; Brady Allen, Louisville; Aidan Chiles, Michigan State; Kenny Minchey, Notre Dame; Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, Colorado State; Isaac Wilson, Utah, and Tayven Jackson, UCF, among the other QBs expected to hit the transfer portal.
Could one of them be Arizona State’s starting QB next season? Could ASU add a quarterback not yet believed to be transferring?
Buckle up. It could be a very interesting time for the Sun Devils once the transfer portal period begins as Dillingham looks to replace Leavitt in Tempe.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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