Arizona State's Unlikely Rise: The Leavitt-Tyson Show

Arizona State's football team was not expected to do much last year. After a rough 2023 season, many thought they would struggle again. But Coach Kenny Dillingham had other plans. He gave a young quarterback, Sam Leavitt, a chance to lead the team. Leavitt did not disappoint. He guided the Sun Devils to an impressive 11 wins and a shot at the playoffs. This year, the duo of Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is drawing attention. Brad Crawford, a college football expert, named them the top quarterback-wide receiver pair for the upcoming season. This is a big deal because Arizona State spent a lot of money to keep this duo together. Tyson had a breakout season last year. He went from catching just 470 yards in his first year to over 1, 100 yards. He even scored 10 touchdowns. But he missed the big playoff game due to injury. This year, he is healthy and ready to make an even bigger impact. Tyson's ability to catch passes in crucial situations makes him a valuable player. He caught 18 passes for 300 yards on third downs alone. That's impressive and shows his skill and reliability. Smoke Dixon, another football analyst, praised the duo. He believes they have what it takes to go far in the playoffs. He thinks their speed, route running, and Leavitt's accuracy make them a dangerous pair. Dixon even picked them over other top duos. This is a bold statement, but it shows how much faith people have in Leavitt and Tyson. They might not get the respect they deserve until teams have to face them on the field. Arizona State is not just relying on Leavitt and Tyson. They have eight offensive starters returning. They also added Kanye Udoh, a talented running back from Army Football. Udoh had over 1, 000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last year. This adds more firepower to an already strong offense. But make no mistake, the Leavitt-Tyson connection is the heart of this team. Tyson is ranked No. 3 among returning wide receivers by ESPN. Leavitt is confident and ready to lead the team to another successful season. The offensive coordinator, Marcus Arroyo, is drawing up plays like he has a secret weapon. Leavitt's journey is inspiring. He was not expected to be the starting quarterback. But he proved the doubters wrong. He finished the season with over 2, 800 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. He also added 443 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. His performance in big games, like the Big 12 title game, shows his ability to perform under pressure. He outplayed Rocco Becht, a highly regarded quarterback, in that game. This year, Leavitt is the top-ranked quarterback in the Big 12. He is ready to lead Arizona State to another successful season. The expectations are high for Arizona State. They are not sneaking up on anyone this time. The target is clear: win at least 10 games and make a deep run in the playoffs. With a quarterback who has playoff experience and a wide receiver who is hungry to prove himself, Arizona State is ready for the challenge. They welcome the pressure and are ready to show what they can do. The stage is set for another exciting season for the Sun Devils.