Sun Devils alum takes shot at Sam Leavitt for leaving for LSU money: “I never played the game for money”
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The NCAA transfer portal has tarnished college football for traditional fans — especially in the case of former Arizona State standout, Sam Leavitt.
Old school fans viewed the sport as one for the pageantry, commitment, and loyalty.
Sep 20, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) in action against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
They grew to love players that committed to an institution for three to four years.
Supporters of college football programs felt like they truly got an opportunity to learn the athletes, their families, their stories, and the character brought to the school. Nowadays, players are getting paid and while it is nice, the lack of parameters has made the sport semi-professional and fans hate the principle of honoring a commitment leaving. Leavitt, an Oregon native, spent the last two seasons at Arizona State University. He transferred in from Michigan State in 2024, and the belief Kenny Dillingham had in him led to Leavitt leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 Championship and the College Football Playoff in 2024.
Sam Leavitt leaves ASU for LSU
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder made playing in the valley exciting with 4,513 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. Leavitt had his 2025 season cut short because of a Lisfranc injury (mid-foot ligament tear) in his right foot in September that required surgery.
Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) reacts after a play against the Texas Longhorns during the second half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
He was not expected to participate in spring practice for the Sun Devils; however, ASU fans expected Leavitt to run it back with his teammates next fall. Leavitt made the decision to enter the transfer portal to head to Louisiana State University of the Southeastern Conference. Fans of the Sun Devils did not understand why Leavitt made the move with the team having a marquee opportunity to be really good; nevertheless, Dillingham and ASU have moved on.
Jake Plummer, an ASU legend, played quarterback from 1993-96.
He was a two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection (1995, 1996), first-team All-American (1996), and Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (1996). The College Football Hall of Famer had 8,626 passing yards and 64 career touchdowns — both rank in the top five all-time in school history for the Sun Devils.
Former Arizona State quarterback Jake Plummer walks out with players for the coin toss against Texas in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Jan. 1, 2025.
Plummer played for the Arizona Cardinals from 1997-02 as a former second round pick of the 1997 NFL Draft.
He spent 10 seasons in the National Football League, but Plummer is very fond of his time at ASU. He did not hold back regarding his thoughts about Leavitt transferring from his alma mater. Plummer said he came to ASU to make an impact.
“I never played the game for the money,” Plummer said. “I wanted to leave an impression. I wanted to take a program like ASU and do something that people would remember. We did that. …”Those kinds of things don’t happen when you’re looking for greener pastures. I can’t blame him for leaving, but I would have loved to have seen him stay.”
We are in a new age of a sport that purist of the game are trying to adjust to. Former players, like common fans, would like to see current athletes — like Leavitt — remain at one program throughout their collegiate career, but that is unrealistic now.
The NIL wealth on the front end is highly enticing for players now. These young men are more prone to do something to better themselves versus thinking about the school as a whole. Nothing is wrong with players being compensated, but the failure of the NCAA to set things in place has caused the landscape to be the wild west with insane amounts of money thrown around.
Plummer has the old school vibe, unfortunately, the game will not return to that format.
He did not like the move Sam Leavitt chose, but like ASU fans, Plummer has to move on.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
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