Who says you can’t have it all? Sam Leavitt, Arizona State’s breakout quarterback, is proving you can ball out on the field and cash in off it. Heading into the Big 12 Championship Game, Leavitt isn’t just leading his squad to playoff glory—he’s stacking up NIL deals like a seasoned vet. From throwing dimes to securing bags, this kid’s story is only just getting started.

Sam Leavitt is living every 19-year-old’s dream. The red-shirt freshman’s meteoric rise as one of the nation’s top young QBs has made waves in the college football world, but his off-field success is low-key more impressive. Sam Leavitt ranked among the top 60 NIL earners by On3. Leavitt’s valuation has hit past $600k. That’s no surprise to ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham, who has sung his quarterback’s praises louder than an Arizona sunset.

“The fact that dude [Leavitt] has three years left, every company in the state should be calling him for an NIL deal.” His coach knows that kid is literally underpaid. “People should be throwing cars, condos—whatever they can at him,” Dillingham said, making it clear Leavitt’s value extends far beyond the gridiron. And with three more years of eligibility, this NIL train ain’t slowing down anytime soon.

But here’s what makes Leavitt different: he’s not just about the money. In a move that screams leadership, he’s giving 100% of his merchandise royalties back to the ASU NIL collective to benefit his teammates. Talk about playing for the logo on the helmet, not the name on the jersey. Whether deals with a Ford dealership or Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers, Sam Leavitt is proving you can win on the field, at the bank, and in the hearts of your teammates.

Sam Leavitt’s 2024 ASU campaign

Leavitt’s journey to ASU wasn’t exactly a smooth ride. Transferring from Michigan State after his freshman year, he made a bold bet on himself, trusting Kenny Dillingham’s vision. Fast forward to now, and Leavitt’s gamble has paid off big-time. This 19-year-old sensation didn’t just take over as QB1—he took a struggling 3-9 program, flipped the script, and has them knocking on the playoff door with a 10-2 record.

Statistically speaking, Leavitt’s season has been nothing short of elite. Completing 62.7% of his passes for 2,444 yards and 21 touchdowns, he’s been a problem for defenses all year. And those five interceptions? Barely a blemish. The past 5 games, though, have shown he’s built different—66% completion rate, 13 TDs, and just 1 pick. Also, add 350 rushing yards and 4 scores with his legs, and you’ve got a quarterback who can do it all. Whether he’s torching CB1 or making linebackers move zesty while breaking their ankles, Leavitt is the blueprint for the modern dual-threat QB. No doubt.

Sam Leavitt isn’t just Arizona State’s next big thing; he’s their present. With the Big 12 Championship Game against Iowa State looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But if Leavitt’s journey has taught us anything, it’s that pressure only sharpens his game. Whether he’s making game-winning throws or cashing in NIL deals, this Sun Devil is playing chess while everyone else is stuck on checkers. The Big 12 title—and a playoff berth—are just another step in his rise to stardom. And it’s only a matter of time before he makes Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders’ type of money.