Sam Leavitt injury update: Arizona State QB downgraded to doubtful vs. Utah, Jeff Sims likely to start

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has been downgraded to doubtful for Saturday’s game vs. Utah. If he cannot go, a familiar face across college football will take over for the Sun Devils — former Georgia Tech and Nebraska QB Jeff Sims.

“Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is doubtful for the Utah game,” Thamel said via X. “He’s been downgraded from probable. Per a source, veteran Jeff Sims would be in line to start for ASU if Leavitt can’t go. He’s a sixth-year senior who has played at both Georgia Tech and Nebraska.”

Sims has spent the past two seasons as the Arizona State quarterback. Not much gametime is on the resume this season, playing mop-up duty against Northern Arizona and Texas State. Just three rushing attempts are on the stat sheet for a total of 22 yards.

A start was needed from Sims during the 2024 season, a road game vs. Cincinnati. Arizona State lost and the performance did not inspire too much confidence from Sims. Only 52.2% of his throws were completed for 155 yards. On the ground, Sims ran for 53 yards and 14 carries.

Now, another opportunity to impress is in front of Sims. Arizona State already holds a 2-0 record in the Big 12, a conference they certainly are competing for alongside Utah. Getting a win would bring a head-to-head advantage, something that might be useful down the road.

Everyone in Tempe hopes Leavitt is back in the near future. But Sims appears likely to get the start on Saturday,

Kenny Dillingham speaks highly of Sam Leavitt before injury

Before Leavitt was downgraded to doubtful, there were some kind words coming on his most recent performance from his head coach. Kenny Dillingham spoke on the progress being made, talking a lot more about the mental aspect of the game. Everyone knows how skilled Leavitt is, recently working on becoming a more complete quarterback.

“Yeah, last week was really good,” Dillingham said. “You know, I think it’s how you can go back. But like, I like to go by where people are now. Last week, he was really, really good, really efficient on early downs. Got the ball up fast. We weren’t forcing first and seconds. Weren’t scrambling in first and seconds. So I thought I thought I was, I was really, really impressed by how he’s played really the last three weeks.”