BREAKING: Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt to undergo season-ending right foot surgery
I can confirm Arizona State has shut down starting quarterback Sam Leavitt for the rest of 2025. The decision follows a lingering right foot injury that began on September 20 against Baylor. After trying to play through it in October, Leavitt will now have season-ending surgery. ASU has removed him from the active roster. Sixth-year senior Jeff Sims will take over as the starter.
Leavitt is out for the season after Arizona State confirmed he will have right foot surgery. Jeff Sims steps in as the new starter.
The Injury, the Timeline, and the Turning Point
Leavitt hurt his right foot on September 20 against Baylor. He missed time, came back, and kept pushing. He left the October 25 game against Houston twice, then was later seen practicing in a walking boot. The pain did not fade. The mobility he needed was not there. On October 31, the program made the call. Surgery now, full focus on recovery.
Leavitt’s stat line tells you how sharp he was before the injury took hold. He threw for 1,628 yards with 10 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. He managed the ball. He drove the offense. He kept ASU on schedule in the Big 12 race.
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What This Means for ASU’s Season
This is a jolt to Arizona State’s postseason path. With the 12-team playoff format, there was still a lane. That lane just narrowed. The staff must rally around Sims and a defense that has carried stretches of the year.
Sims is experienced. He has seen almost everything college football can throw at a quarterback. He brings size, poise, and running strength. The playbook will not close, but the flavor will change. Expect more designed quarterback runs, more quick game, and a heavy dose of play action to settle him in. The offensive line must protect better on obvious passing downs. The receivers must win early and often to build rhythm.
- What Sims brings now: experience, a live arm, designed run value, calm late in games
The schedule is not forgiving. ASU must play clean football, limit penalties, and win field position. That is how you keep pace without your catalyst. Special teams and takeaways will decide tight games in November.
Lean on tempo when Sims is in rhythm, then slow it down in the red zone to protect possessions.
The Player Evaluation, the Draft View, and the Tape
Leavitt’s pre-injury tape still speaks loudly. His release is compact. His eyes work the field from short to deep. He throws with touch outside the numbers. He avoids danger and protects the ball. That 10 to 3 touchdown to interception split backs up what the film shows, smart decisions under pressure.
Inside the pocket, his footwork is usually clean. The injury made that harder late in October. You could see it on rollouts and late-game scrambles. When healthy, he climbs the pocket and throws on balance. NFL scouts will circle the Baylor game for the before picture, then Houston for the after picture. That contrast helps them judge how much the foot affected his timing and torque.
For the 2026 NFL Draft, Leavitt remains in the early-round mix. Teams value accuracy and command more than raw flash. He has both. What he needs next is a clean medical check, a strong spring and summer, and a sharp start to 2026. Interview rooms will like his toughness. Playing through pain hurt the stat sheet, but it shows a locker room leader.
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The Recovery Outlook
Right foot surgery for a quarterback usually follows a steady timeline. The goal is to protect push-off strength and restore full mobility. That means patience.
Typical timelines for foot surgery recovery put light football work around 4 to 6 months, with full speed work closer to summer. Every case varies.
If he hits those marks, he should be ready to throw full workloads during summer conditioning. The staff will keep the focus on building back lower body power. That is where velocity and late-game accuracy live.
The Culture Impact
This is a test of the room. Star goes down, next man steps in, standard stays high. That is the message across the facility today. The defense can set tone with early stops. The offense can help with pace and smart first down calls. Fans will feel the loss, but they know the assignment. Stay loud at home. Travel well on the road. This is the stretch run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened to Sam Leavitt?
A: He suffered a right foot injury on September 20 against Baylor, tried to play through it, and will now have season-ending surgery.
Q: Who replaces him at quarterback?
A: Sixth-year senior Jeff Sims will start the rest of the season.
Q: How long will recovery take?
A: Foot surgery timelines vary, but many quarterbacks resume football work around 4 to 6 months, then ramp up for summer.
Q: How does this affect ASU’s playoff chances?
A: The path is tougher. ASU must win with clean offense, defense that travels, and strong special teams.
Q: What does this mean for Leavitt’s 2026 NFL Draft stock?
A: He remains a strong prospect based on pre-injury tape, pending a clean medical and a healthy return.
Conclusion
Arizona State just took a heavy hit, but the season does not end here. Sam Leavitt shifts to recovery. Jeff Sims takes the wheel. The staff adjusts, the roster tightens, and the stakes rise. If ASU wins the margins, it can still play meaningful football in December. The next few weeks will define the year, and they will shape Leavitt’s road to the 2026 draft.
