West Linn’s Sam Leavitt thriving ahead of sophomore year with lofty expectations
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The response is what you’d expect when asking Sam Leavitt how the last year of his life has been.
“It’s been pretty crazy,” reflected the West Linn alum.
Even the biggest of college football fans didn’t know Sam’s name going into last season.
He played four games at Michigan State his freshman season, redshirted and then transferred to ASU. From there, all he did was lead an Arizona State squad no one saw coming to a College Football playoff berth.
Now, he’s a 2025 Heisman hopeful and a potential 2026 first round NFL draft pick.
“It’s what I’ve dreamt of since day one and believed in myself," Leavitt said. "But to see it on the national scale and to see people really recognize it - people I didn’t know growing up or anything like that - it’s really cool to see. It gives me more motivation and I want to work even harder.”
He took a bit of a break from work on Saturday to give back in West Linn for his and fellow West Linn alum Mark Hamper’s free kids camp. Leavitt transferred from Westview to West Linn for his senior season.
“It’s just special to be here back in my roots. My senior year, this changed my life. Being back in this situation, giving back to the kids. After all the success that we’ve had, being able to come back and put a smile on kid’s faces and change their day,” Leavitt said.
As for the changes he wants to see in himself next season?
“I’ve got all my goals that I write on my bulletin board. Heisman, national championship, and everything like that, but that only comes if you have goals each day,” said the quarterback. “I guess every single day, going to work and outworking myself from the day before and the year previous.”
Leavitt may use himself as the ultimate measuring stick, but don’t think he’s lost that chip on his shoulder from being underrecruited in high school.
“I have a list of all the guys written on my board of the top 10 that I don’t like and that I want to outwork and everything like that. Yeah, it’s a fun time,” said Sam, with a big smile.