Heading into the 2025 college football season, Arizona State star Sam Leavitt was viewed as one of the best QBs in the sport with serious NFL potential. The Michigan State transfer was a major reason why the Sun Devils were 11-3 in 2024 and had college football playoff hopes this year.
Unfortunately, a Lisfranc injury and required surgery derailed Arizona State’s plans for 2025. However, instead of running it back in 2026, a new report claims this may have been the junior’s final season in Tempe. But he isn’t leaving for the NFL Draft. Instead, The Athletic reports the talented QB intends to enter the transfer portal.
So, where could Sam Leavitt end up in 2026 if he puts his services up to the highest bidder? We look at five potential options, including the Miami Hurricanes.
Penn State
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Penn State was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2025 college football season. Losses to UCLA and Northwestern cost James Franklin his job, and Drew Allar’s senior season was cut short due to a season-ending ankle injury. If the Nittany Lions want to get back to their winning ways and be a force in the Big Ten, they need a new QB. Making a big splash in the transfer portal by luring Sam Leavitt to State College could be a possibility. But they need to find Franklin’s replacement first.
Miami
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The Hurricanes made a monster splash in the transfer portal when they persuaded Georgia legend Carson Beck to bring his talents to Miami. However, he was always going to be one and done, and they need a new QB1. Turning to the portal again to go after Leavitt makes sense, and they were one of the teams mentioned as a landing spot in the report on the QB possibly leaving Arizona State.
Texas Tech
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Another program mentioned as a landing spot in the original report was Texas Tech. The fifth-ranked team in the nation has gotten a big season from QB Behren Morton, but he is a senior, and they will have to fill that spot again in 2026. If they want to maintain the high standard they have achieved this year, they need to bring in more impact talent through the portal for next season. It would be surprising if Leavitt isn’t a top target by the Red Raiders.
Oregon
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Oregon is again in the chase for a national title this season, and a key reason is the play of sophomore Dante Moore. However, he is seen as a top QB prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft by many football analysts. It is a strong possibility that he leaves after this season. Trying to bring in a high-level talent like Sam Leavitt makes sense, and the Ducks should be a favorite for his services if they pursue him in the transfer portal.
Alabama
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Alabama is in the top 10 and in the hunt for a playoff spot in 2025 because of some outstanding play of junior Ty Simpson. His performance has increased his NFL stock in a major way, and he could be one of the top three QBs taken in April if he declares for the draft. That is very likely, which will leave a big void at the QB1 spot next season.
Alabama in college football is likely the Yankees in MLB. If they pursue Leavitt in the transfer portal — and they should — many youngsters want to play for the Crimson Tide, and they will have a very good chance of landing him.
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After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos