BREAKING: ASU QB Sam Leavitt Rejects $25M Offer from Kentucky, Cements Loyalty to Sun Devils with $15M NIL Deal
In a college football landscape increasingly driven by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt just made a statement that’s resonating far beyond Tempe.
Leavitt, the breakout quarterback for the Sun Devils, reportedly turned down a jaw-dropping $25 million NIL offer from the University of Kentucky to remain at Arizona State. Instead, he inked a $15 million NIL deal that keeps him in maroon and gold—and he made it clear this decision was about more than money.
“My loyalty lies with Arizona State—this is home,” Leavitt said in a statement released Monday afternoon. “No amount of money can replace the bond I’ve built with my teammates, this coaching staff, and the ASU community. I’m here to win, not chase the highest bidder.”
The 6’2″ gunslinger has been a rising star in the Pac-12 (soon to be Big 12), showing flashes of elite talent and leadership. His decision to stay has sparked national debate about loyalty, culture, and the future of NIL in college sports.
Arizona State fans erupted on social media, praising Leavitt’s commitment with hashtags like #ForksUp and #TrueDevil. Meanwhile, college football insiders are calling his decision a rare move in an era when players often chase the biggest bag.
While some critics argue that turning down $10 million extra isn’t the wisest business decision, Leavitt’s supporters say it’s a declaration that not all athletes can be bought. His commitment sends a powerful message—that tradition, relationships, and heart still matter.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham praised his quarterback, calling the decision “proof that ASU is building something special.”
With the Sun Devils set to enter a new era of football, Leavitt has become the face of the program—and now, perhaps, the soul of it too.
This is more than NIL. This is legacy.
#ForksUp #CollegeFootball #NIL #SunDevilStrong
