• A dual-threat standout: Leavitt is the only returning quarterback in the country who earned an 80.0-plus PFF passing and rushing grade last season.

• Leavitt returns his top target: Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson ranked ninth among qualifiers in PFF receiving grade last year.

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The 2025 college football season is officially upon us, which means it is time to make some award predictions. And no honor sparks more debate than the Heisman Trophy, with people still talking about last season’s contentious race between Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. 

Unlike in 2024, the odds favor the quarterback position this time, with the top three favorites all being gunslingers. However, there is one particular quarterback who stands out above the rest — tied for the sixth-best odds at +1800 on DraftKings — which is Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt.

Here are three reasons why Leavitt may win the 2025 Heisman Trophy.

Well-rounded success

Leavitt is the second-highest-graded returning quarterback in the Power Four at 88.5 overall, only behind Clemson’s Cade Klubnik. In fact, he’s the only qualified quarterback in the FBS who earned an 80.0-plus PFF grade in both rushing and passing last season.

Leavitt protects the ball as well as any quarterback in the country and put up just a 1.1% turnover-worthy play percentage a season ago. He will need to continue that trend, as he will not have star running back Cam Skattebo by his side this year.

With that in mind, expect Leavitt to play an even larger role in Arizona State’s ground game this season. In 2024, he scored five rushing touchdowns on just 107 carries — and both numbers are poised to rise in 2025.

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A dynamic receiver

By returning to Tempe, Leavitt also reunites with Jordyn Tyson, who is arguably one of the best wide receivers in the nation. Last season, Tyson posted an 83.3 PFF receiving grade, which ranked ninth among receivers with 100 or more targets.

Nearly 1,100 of Leavitt’s passing yards came through Tyson, who recorded a 116.3 passer rating when targeted. With more chemistry growing between the two, you can expect that mark to be even higher this season.

In fact, Leavitt didn’t have Tyson at his disposal in the Peach Bowl against Texas—and it showed. He posted his lowest passing grade of the season (56.7), with a 61.0% adjusted completion rate and one turnover-worthy play. Even so, he nearly pulled off the upset, which speaks volumes about Leavitt’s individual talent and poise under pressure.

Leavitt’s 2024 Passing Chart When Targeting Tyson

Fostering team success

Leavitt’s lone season in Tempe yielded unprecedented team results. As a starter, he holds an 11-2 record, as one of the Sun Devils’ two regular-season losses last year came in a game in which he did not play (Cincinnati).

In particular, Leavitt really hit his stride in conference play last season and dominated Big 12 defenses all year long. The Michigan State transfer earned a 71.0-plus overall PFF grade in nine of his 10 conference matchups.

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The Bottom Line

With Leavitt having another season to develop and Tyson back in tow for Kenny Dillingham’s team, Arizona State should be formidable yet again in 2025. According to PFF’s Power Rankings, the Sun Devils are projected to repeat as Big 12 Champions, which would put them back in the College Football Playoff.

Considering the three factors above, Leavitt could put himself at the forefront of the 2025 college football season and on a shortlist to receive an invitation to the New York event.

And given his odds, there’s real value in betting on him to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy.