Arizona State starting quarterback Sam Leavitt will undergo season-ending knee surgery to fix an ongoing issue with his right foot.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham said Friday on “Bickley & Marotta Mornings” on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM radio Friday, that Leavitt would stay behind in Tempe when the Sun Devils (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) travel to Iowa State for their Saturday game. He already had been ruled out against the Cyclones.
Leavitt, voted Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, initially was injured in a 27-24 win against Baylor on Sept. 20. He has not played consistently since.
“It’s definitely something that’s been lingering all year,” Dillingham said earlier this week. “It’s definitely something that could definitely turn into that (long-term) for sure, just because it hasn’t progressed like we hoped. He’s been dealing with this for pretty much the whole year.”
Leavitt ends his season with 1,628 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Backup Jeff Sims will start against Iowa State.
Last season, Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions as he led the Sun Devils to the Big 12 title and their first College Football Playoff appearance.
He could have made his last appearance for the Sun Devils. As a redshirt sophomore, he is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dillingham said Friday that he didn’t know what Leavitt’s future holds.
“?I wish I could answer that question,” Dillingham told the radio show. “I’m not even beginning to process what are his next steps. I haven’t even asked him that.
“I just feel bad for him that he has been dinged up all year and he’s been battling for our football team. It’s unfortunate that it just hasn’t gotten any better.”