Sam Leavitt QB Arizona State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Sam Leavitt QB Arizona State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/05/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (84%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 05/05/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (84%*) | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 86.5 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
|
74% |
| Short Passing: |
|
75% |
| Medium Passing: |
|
84% |
| Long Passing: |
|
84% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
|
79% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Early
Overall Rank:
#38
Position rank:
#7
|
||
| College Games: 17 College Snaps: 927 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
|
||
247 RATING: 90/100
|
||
|
RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaren Hall - BYU |
|
81% |
| J.J. McCarthy - Michigan |
|
80% |
| Michael Pratt - Tulane |
|
79% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A football bloodline that runs from BYU quarterback Jared Leavitt through NFL safety Dallin Leavitt culminated in Sam's meteoric rise at Arizona State. The Oregon native bounced between three high schools – even winning Class 6A Oregon player of the year honors at West Linn while finishing with 82 career touchdown passes. Star rankings varied wildly, with recruiting services pegging him anywhere from three to four stars as they debated whether this gunslinger possessed NFL arm strength. Michigan State took him as a project, then watched him complete 15 passes in limited snaps before he escaped to Tempe seeking opportunity.Kenny Dillingham's gamble paid dividends beyond wildest dreams. Leavitt jumped from afterthought to Big 12 Freshman of the Year, setting Arizona State's freshman yardage record with 3,328 total yards while igniting an offense that piloted the Sun Devils to their first conference championship since 2007. His 24 touchdowns against just six interceptions tell part of the story, but the deeper numbers reveal a quarterback who operates with veteran poise. He ranked 12th among all FBS quarterbacks by PFF (88.9 grade) while maintaining a higher freshman rating than current NFL starters Justin Herbert, Bo Nix, and Jayden Daniels.
PFF's stats speak volumes about Leavitt's processing speed. Only five quarterbacks nationwide threw fewer turnover-worthy passes among those with 300+ attempts, while he converted pressure into production better than most veterans. His 7.8 yards per attempt under duress cracked the national top-12, transforming what should be panic moments into chunk gains.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Ball security magician with only five turnover-worthy throws tied for third nationally - eliminates negative plays through exceptional anticipation and decision-making
- Pressure performance king posting 7.8 YPA under duress while creating 708 aerial yards when hurried - pocket presence transcends experience level
- Perfect strike placement allows 58.6% yards after catch leading receivers in stride - anticipatory thrower who creates separation for targets
- Basketball background translates to spatial awareness and loose athleticism - scrambles with purpose, generating 76.4 rushing grade when escaping pocket
- Championship DNA evidenced through back-to-back-to-back three-touchdown games with zero picks - clutch performer who elevates under bright lights
- Arm strength producer hitting receivers on eight 50+ yard connections - deep ball accuracy tied for second nationally creates explosive plays
- Process speed demon processing pre-snap reads quickly - rarely holds ball unnecessarily, delivering with quick trigger release
- Transformation agent whose presence changed Arizona State culture - offense operated with visible confidence once he assumed command
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Protection concerns loom at 200 pounds - needs 15-20 pounds of functional muscle before handling NFL collision forces consistently
- Release speed grades average at 73.8% - must improve drop mechanics and timing to match NFL's rapid processing demands
- Experience factor limits defensive adaptation - coordinators haven't had full seasons studying his tells and tendencies
- Sample size restricted to seventeen games as starter - needs more reps against complex defensive schemes and elite competition
- Ordinary top-end speed caps scrambling potential - effective zone-read runner but won't consistently outpace NFL pursuit angles
Scouting Report: Summary
Leavitt slots perfectly into modern spread concepts emphasizing pre-snap motion and designed rollouts. His ability to create magic outside structure mirrors Josh Allen's early career development path, though without that elite wingspan. Picture him orchestrating Ben Johnson's Lions offense, where quick decisions and precise ball placement would amplify his strengths while minimizing durability concerns. Teams running heavy play-action schemes will appreciate his ability to sell fakes while maintaining downfield vision.His trajectory from Michigan State reserve to College Football Playoff quarterback defies conventional timelines. That meteoric rise combined with exceptional ball security suggests his processing speed can handle NFL complexities. Coordinators will love the low-risk, high-reward profile - his three turnover-worthy passes over 300+ attempts represents a stat line many veteran starters envy. Smart organizations will invest early development time adding muscle mass while preserving his natural improvisational talents.
The 2025 season brings unprecedented pressure as Leavitt operates under the national microscope for the first time. No longer can he sneak up on defenses - defensive coordinators nationwide will spend summers studying his tendencies and developing specific game plans targeting his weaknesses. The anonymity that fueled his 2024 breakthrough evaporates once ESPN declares him college football's top quarterback. Draft boards should slot Leavitt as a high second-round prospect with mid-first upside, recognizing the elevated challenge of repeating his success against heightened defensive attention. His ability to thrive under scrutiny will separate potential NFL starters from college flash-in-the-pan stories.
How other scouting services rate Sam Leavitt (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
42.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
6.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.