Sam Leavitt’s comments on why he left ASU reignited frustration among fans

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TEMPE — Sam Leavitt has taken over the conversation once again among Arizona State fans after his comments about why he left the program surfaced Friday.

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The former Sun Devil quarterback spoke publicly for the first time since transferring from ASU to Louisiana State and gave his thoughts on what went down during the process. Leavitt boiled it down to wanting a different type of development, but he also acknowledged the success and relationships he built during his time in Tempe.

Sun Devil fans had mixed emotions about his reasoning for abruptly leaving the program, though disappointment was the prevailing sentiment.

Acting like a pro means, you show up to the end of the year banquet to support your teammates.

Acting like a pro means, you don’t play injure yourself playing basketball in the middle of the season.

Acting like a pro means, you show appreciation to all the fans who rooted &… https://t.co/EzTPxJ7orI

— Chuzz (@chuzztopher) July 31, 2026

Apparently you can’t learn to be a pro with two first round draft picks to protect you and throw to

Apparently you can’t learn to be a pro under a coach that has sent a couple of QBs to the NFL

Just wild shade to be throwing at ASU https://t.co/jrfwTleX7y

— Locked On Sun Devils (@LO_SunDevils) July 31, 2026

Kenny Dillingham quite literally made this guys career so far.

And to be acting like this and bad mouthing ASU? Alright man, we’ll see. https://t.co/xC59r1gwsv

— Benjamin Garcia (@BenGarciaShow) July 31, 2026

Crash and Burn Sam. Your lack of character and integrity from where you were is abhorrent. A complete lack of professionalism by someone who was lifted from a freshman year at MSU developed by @KennyDillingham to a BIG12 championship win with ASU. #SunDevil #ASU #O2V https://t.co/jzyluNjYQI

— SUNDEVIL1 (@ASUDevils1) July 31, 2026

Those emotions aren’t new. Leavitt’s final months at Arizona State already left many fans frustrated. His 2025 season was riddled with injuries that ultimately sidelined him. However, it wasn’t his inability to play that made fans uneasy, but rather how he closed out the season.

Leavitt decided to skip the program’s end-of-season banquet, prompting speculation that he would leave Tempe and enter the transfer portal. After weeks of waiting, Leavitt chose LSU and closed his chapter with the Sun Devils.

Fans didn’t like the way he left, especially considering how much head coach Kenny Dillingham had poured into him and believed he could be a vital piece for the program throughout the rest of his college career.

While Leavitt made it clear he didn’t leave because of any issues with the program, he also believed ASU could no longer provide the development he was seeking and that a change of scenery was necessary to continue growing in his football career.

For Sun Devil fans, that cut deep. Leavitt was a standout player who received unwavering support from the fan base, making his decision to leave ASU and his teammates difficult to accept.

For many, it felt more like a betrayal than a routine transfer.

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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde

Former ASU QB Sam Leavitt opens up on why he left the program