FORT WORTH, Texas - The Davey O’Brien Foundation unveiled the 2025 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Preseason Watch List, a group that includes three dozen of the nation’s top returning college quarterbacks.
If you look at a quarterback award preseason watch list leading into the 2025 college football season, you'll definitely find the name Sam Leavitt. The Sun Devil Football quarterback has been identified as a candidate for the 2025 Davey O'Brien Award, given annually to the top signal caller in the sport.
Truly nothing else like it 🗣️#ForksUp /// #CampTontozona pic.twitter.com/NOGzBHCyY2
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) August 6, 2025
Compiled by a subset of the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee, this year’s list was selected based on previous Division I career player performance as well as expectations heading into the 2025 college football season. The preseason list features 16 seniors, 14 juniors and six sophomores.
The Big 12 Conference leads all leagues with eight quarterbacks honored. The Big 12 is followed closely by the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference, both with seven.
The nation is showing the respect they have for the Arizona State quarterback's special traits and unique abilities. Earlier in the offseason, Leavitt was named Walter Camp Preseason All-Americans, landed on the Maxwell Award preseason watch list, and was tabbed as a candidate for Walter Camp Player of the Year.
View the Davey O'Brien Award preseason watch list
Award Process
Members of the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee are asked to vote for a NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) quarterback who embodies the attributes of football legend Davey O’Brien. As such, they are asked to evaluate each candidate on the criteria of his quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, character, reputation as a team player, leadership and sportsmanship. Watch List candidates are determined by a subset of the Selection Committee and approved by the Executive Committee.
Selection timeline
The official Davey O’Brien Midseason Watch List will be released on Tuesday, Oct. 21, and will contain active quarterbacks from the Preseason Watch List, players honored as weekly Great 8 recipients through the season’s first eight weeks and any additional quarterbacks approved by the selection subcommittee.
The 35-player Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2025 will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 28. For the fifth straight year, fan voting on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) will earn players bonus selection committee votes during the semifinalist, finalist and winner voting rounds. First-round fan voting will begin Oct. 28 following the QB Class announcement.
The list of semifinalists selected from the QB Class will be named on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The Foundation will announce the three finalists two weeks later (Tuesday, Nov. 25). The 2025 Davey O’Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
About the Biletnikoff Award
The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The 49th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit www.daveyobrienaward.com.
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Sam Leavitt, QB (R-So. | West Linn, Oregon) |
- Walter Camp Player of the Year preseason watch list
- Maxwell Award candidate (Nation's Top Player)
- The lone quarterback to land on the Walter Camp Preseason All-American Second Team.
- Finished his first year in Tempe as the school record holder for total offense by a freshman with 3,328 yards and second in program history in passing yards by a freshman at 2,885.
- The 3,328 total yards of offense are eighth in ASU single-season history regardless of class.
- Named the Big 12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year.
- The nation’s second-highest graded freshman player (true or redshirt with 400 snaps) on either side of the football by PFF (88.9), behind only Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith (89.8).
- His 88.9 grade for the season is the eighth-best among all FBS freshman quarterbacks in the PFF era since 2015 (min. 400 snaps played). Of the seven players ahead of him, six started an NFL game last season (Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, C.J. Stroud and Spencer Rattler).
- His grade was higher than the freshman year grades of NFL starting quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Daniel Jones, Jordan Love, Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels.
- The grade was good for 12th among all FBS quarterbacks in 2024.
- After having just three touchdown passes in his first four games, he finished with 21 over his final nine games played with just four interceptions.
- Had eight passes for 50+ yards, most in Big 12 and tied for second most in the FBS for the season, only ASU player this century to have more in one season was Jayden Daniels in 2019.
- Among players with at least 300 dropbacks, Leavitt tied for third in the FBS with just five turnover-worthy throws on the season, according to Pro Football Focus.
- His six interceptions were tied for sixth-fewest in the FBS among those with at least 300 dropbacks.
- Was one of just four with 20+ touchdowns (24) with six or fewer interceptions (six) AND turnover-worthy throws (5) (min. 300 dropbacks).
- Only 20 of his passes were broken, good for the 20th-lowest total in the FBS. His four passes batted at the line of scrimmage at tied for 25th-lowest in the FBS (min. 300 dropbacks).
- Leavitt showed his ability to keep his composure under pressure, with 708 passing yards while pressured - good for 19th nationally despite missing a game. His 7.8 yards per attempt while under pressure were 12th-best in the country. His 5 under pressure touchdowns were 20th.
- His 74.8 NFL QBR while under pressure was 30th in the nation. He picked up a first down with his arm 41 times on 143 pressures - 13th-most in the FBS.
- Set his receivers up for success, finding open players and hitting dudes in stride to the tune of 58.6 percent of his total yardage coming after the catch - good for third nationally.
- Rushed for 435 yards on 51 scrambles, good for the second-most among quarterbacks in the FBS.
- Picked up a first down or touchdown on 47.1 percent of those QB scrambles, good for 11th among FBS quarterbacks (min 25 scrambles).
- Had the nation's sixth-best rushing grade when scrambling at 76.4. His 79.1 overall rushing grade was 18th among FBS quarterbacks.
- First ASU quarterback to have six games in a season with three or more touchdown passes (6) since Mike Berocovici in 2015 (6). The six games were tied for second-most this century behind only Andrew Walter's seven in 2004. The last Big 12 freshman to have that many performances in a season was Oklahoma's Sam Bradford in 2007 (eight).
- Thrice earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Week and also earned the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Week honor following the K-State contest.
- First Sun Devil to post three consecutive games with three touchdown passes and no picks since Jayden Daniels did it three times in 2019.
- He had his first career 300+ yard game on the road against Oklahoma State, finishing 20-of-29 for 304 yards and three touchdowns with no picks.
- Named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week following his four-touchdown effort against Kansas, including the game-winner with less than a minute remaining. The four touchdowns were the most for any quarterback in the country in Week 6 as he was the highest-graded quarterback in the Big 12 for the week by PFF and ninth best in the FBS (89.4).
- Leavitt’s 258 passing yards in his starting debut against Wyoming were the third-most by a Sun Devil making his debut since 1996, behind only Joey Yellen (292 in 2019) and Jayden Daniels (284 in 2019)
- Sun Devil QB Sam Leavitt shines at Big 12 Media Days (by Scott Bordow, ASU News/July 17, 2025)
- Sam Leavitt reaping the benefits of ASU's return to national prominence (by John Marshall, Associated Press/April 17, 2025)
Take a look at some of Sam Leavitt's best throws from 2024 and vote on your favorite below 🧵#Big12FB | @ASUFootball pic.twitter.com/9YK5XKrJZF
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) July 28, 2025
Walter Camp Player of the Year preseason watch list
The Walter Camp Football Foundation announced their preseason watch list for Player of the Year and Sun Devil Football has a pair of representatives. Quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson are each candidates for the annual award given to the most outstanding player in college football. Leavitt and Tyson are one of only seven pairs of teammates to land on the preseason Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list. Arizona State is one of only six schools (Clemson, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt) with two individuals on the list, trailing only the three claimed by Texas.
Maxwell Award preseason watch list
The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch list for the 89th Maxwell Award and Sun Devil Football has a pair of representatives. Quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson are each candidates for the annual award given to the most outstanding player in college football. The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.
Leavitt and Tyson are one of only 17 pairs of teammates to land on the Preseason Maxwell Award Watch List. The tandem is considered one of the best quarterback-wide receiver combinations in the country heading into the 2025 season and national outlets continue to take notice.
Walter Camp Preseason All-American teams
The Walter Camp Football Foundation released their Preseason All-American Teams at the end of June and Sun Devil Football has a pair of representatives.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson each landed on the Walter Camp Preseason All-American Second Team. They are two of the 11 individuals to earn the national recognition.
The Sun Devil offense will feature one of the nation's best quarterback-wide receiver duos. Arizona State is one of 11 schools to have at least two players be named Preseason All-Americans by Walter Camp.
Walter Camp Preseason Second-Team All-Americans
Second-Team Offense
QB: Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)
WR: Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
RB: Makhi Hughes (Oregon), Isaac Brown (Louisville)
TE: Justin Joly (North Carolina State)
OL: Ar’maj Reed-Adams (Texas A&M), Cayden Green (Missouri), Jordan Seaton (Colorado), Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State)
C: Logan Jones (Iowa)
Walter Camp Preseason All Americans by school
Alabama, Clemson, Indiana, Penn State, Texas - 3
Arizona State, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas A&M - 2
More on Sun Devil Football's 2025 preseason
Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation, Inc., the Florida-based creator and sponsor of the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, has released the 2025 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List. Sun Devil Football wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is featured on yet another national award watch list heading into the 2025 season. It is only fair for one of the nation's best pass catchers in 2024 to be recognized as a candidate for the 2025 Biletnikoff Award, awarded annually to the top wide receiver in college football.
Bruce Feldman on Clayton Smith
The Athletic produced their annual College Football 'Freaks' List prior to the 2025 season. Bruce Feldman, a national college football reporter, compiles a list of the most physically impressive college football players for The Athletic each year. Sun Devil Football defensive lineman Clayton Smith has earned a spot on the list, which identifies some of the nation's most unique athletes.
"The former five-star began his career at Oklahoma. He made six TFLs and 4.5 sacks last year and looks ready to make a bigger impact. The 6-4, 255-pound senior hit 22.1 mph on the GPS with a max acceleration of 8.18. He squatted 565 pounds, benched 335 and cleaned 330. He’s one of a trio of Sun Devils who each could’ve been on the Freaks List."
Wuerffel Award preseason watch list
Arizona State football redshirt senior wide receiver Coben Bourguet earns a second preseason recognition for his hard work on and off the field. The Wuerffel Foundation announced their nominees to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list, recognizing college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement. Coben Bourguet is part of the exclusive group.
Groza Award preseason watch list
The 2025 Lou Groza Award preseason watch list was released and it features a member of the Sun Devil Football team. With all three of last year’s finalists graduating, it’s a wide-open field on the thirty-player Watch List for the 2025 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, as announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. Arizona State redshirt senior Jesus Gomez is one of the candidates.
Gomez transferred to Arizona State in the offseason after a successful career at Eastern Michigan. A season ago, he went 20-of-25 on field goals, including an outstanding 18-of-21 (86%) accuracy on kicks of less than 50 yards. He had five games in which he made three field goals, highlighted by a program record 57-yarder at No. 25 Washington. After an outstanding fall camp, Gomez has emerged as the starting place-kicker for the Sun Devils. The Watch List includes nine returning kickers with at least nine field goals from 40+ yards while still connecting at 80% or better overall. Gomez is one of the nine, as he showed the ability to make any kick on the field.
Hornung Award preseason watch list
Sun Devil Football's Jalen Moss is the latest Sun Devil to earn a spot on a national award preseason watch list. Forty-six players representing schools in nine conferences have been selected for the 2025 Paul Hornung Award preseason watch list. Arizona State wide receiver Jalen Moss is one of the candidates, adding to the growing list of Sun Devils to receive preseason honors heading into the 2025 campaign.
Now in its 16th season, the Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission in memory of the late football legend Paul Hornung. Moss is in a position to contribute heavily in Tempe after two outstanding seasons at Fresno State. He served as both a go-to wide receiver as well as a dynamic punt returner in 2024, impacting the game in many ways with the ball in his hands. This is the second consecutive year that the Hornung Award preseason watch list included a Sun Devil, with running back Cam Skattebo earning the distinction prior to last season.
Butkus Award preseason watch list
Sun Devil Football's Keyshaun Elliott is considered one of the top linebackers in the country heading into the 2025 season. The Butkus Foundation released the preseason watch list for the 41st annual collegiate Butkus Award, honoring the nation’s top linebacker. The 51-player list pays tribute to Dick Butkus’ iconic No. 51 jersey, worn during his Hall of Fame career as the most feared defender in football history. One of the initial candidates is Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott. He is the latest Sun Devil to land on a preseason award watch list. Elliott has emerged as one of the elite players at his position and a leader of the Sun Devil defense. He is looking to become the program's first Butkus Award winner.
AP Preseason Top-25
Sun Devil Football has been ranked No. 11 by the Associated Press in their 2025 preseason college football rankings. The buzz surrounding Arizona State continues as the AP Preseason Top-25 Poll features the Sun Devils at No. 11. It is the highest ASU has been ranked in the preseason since coming in at No. 8 prior to the 1998 season. Of the four Big 12 programs in the initial poll, Arizona State is the top-ranked team from the league. The 2024 Big 12 Champions finished at No. 7 in the final AP Poll of the 2024 season.
Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list
The Football Writers Association of America listed Xavion Alford on the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List. The Jim Thorpe Award is given to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. Alford is receiving plenty of buzz heading into the 2025 season, adding yet another accolade. He was named to the Preseason Big 12 All-Conference Team earlier in the offseason and is considered one of the nation's top returning defensive backs.
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Arizona State football redshirt senior wide receiver Coben Bourguet was nominated for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, the American Football Coaches Association announced earlier in the offseason. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes student-athletes for community service, academic dedication and impact on and off the field.
C.J. Fite on two preseason watch lists
The Football Writers Association of America listed Fite on both their Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy Watch Lists. The Nagurski Trophy recognizes the national defensive player of the year, while the Outland is presented to the nation's best interior lineman (offensive or defensive). Fite is one of only eight individuals to land on both lists.
2025 Dodd Trophy preseason watch list
Sun Devil Football Head Coach Kenny Dillingham was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Dodd Trophy. The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. released the initial candidates for the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank. This year's list includes 26 of the nation's top college football coaches, highlighted by Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham.
Dillingham was a finalist for the 2024 Dodd Trophy after leading the Sun Devils to a historic 11-3 season which culminated in a Big 12 Championship, Peach Bowl Appearance, and berth in the College Football Playoff. He was named 2024 Big 12 Coach of the Year for his efforts and is once again being considered as one of the top coaches entering the 2025 season.
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Kenny Dillingham, ASU |
Josh Heupel, Tennessee |
2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Team (media vote)
The Big 12 Conference announced the 2025 Preseason All-Conference Team and Sun Devil Football is heavily featured. Arizona State has five players on the Preseason All-Big12 Team and Sam Leavitt has been voted as the Preseason Offensive Player of the league by the media. The five selections are the most of any team in the conference, a clear sign of respect for the talent returning to the program.
Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State, RS-So.
Preseason All-Conference Team (offense)
QB: Sam Leavitt, Arizona State, RS-So.
WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State, RS-Jr.
OL: Ben Coleman, Arizona State, Gr.
Preseason All-Conference Team (defense)
DL: C.J. Fite, Arizona State, Jr.
DB: Xavion Alford, Arizona State, RS-Sr.
Athlon Sports Preseason Big 12 honors
A total of 15 Sun Devils received Big 12 Preseason All-Conference recognition from Athlon Sports. Leading the way was wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who landed on the First Team Offense of Athlon Sports' Preseason All-American Team.
Tyson also was a First Team Big 12 All-Conference selection and is joined by fellow Media Day attendees Sam Leavitt, Ben Coleman, and Xavion Alford in earning the distinction. Here is a full list of preseason honorees from Athlon Sports.
All-America honors
First Team Offense
WR Jordyn Tyson
All Big 12 honors
First Team Offense
QB Sam Leavitt
WR Jordyn Tyson
OL Ben Coleman
First Team Defense
S Xavion Alford
Second Team Offense
OL Max Iheanachor
Second Team Defense
DL C.J. Fite
LB Keyshaun Elliott
CB Keith Abney II
Third Team Defense
DL Clayton Smith
CB Javan Robinson
S Myles Rowser
Third Team Specialists
K Jesus Gomez
Fourth Team Offense
RB Kyson Brown
TE Chamon Metayer
Fourth Team Specialists
PR Jalen Moss
2025 Schedule
There are plenty of opportunities to see Jordyn Tyson, Sam Leavitt, and the rest of the Sun Devil Football team throughout a challenging and entertaining 2025 schedule. Season Tickets are going fast, but a few are still available at sundevils.com/tickets/football.
All times MST
Aug. 30 – vs. NAU – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sept. 6 – at Mississippi State – 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Sept. 13 – vs. Texas State – 7:30 p.m. (TNT and Max)
Sept. 20 – at Baylor
Sept. 26 – vs. TCU – 6 p.m. (Fox)
Oct. 4 – BYE
Oct. 11 – at Utah
Oct. 18 – vs. Texas Tech
Oct. 25 – vs. Houston
Nov. 1 – at Iowa State
Nov. 8 – BYE
Nov. 15 – vs. West Virginia
Nov. 22 – at Colorado
Nov. 28 – vs. Arizona (Fox)
Texas to Tempe
Eight of the 16 returning starters for the Sun Devils this year are from Texas. The list includes Jordyn Tyson (Allen), Josh Atkins (Mansfield Timberview), Keith Abney (Waxahachie), Xavion Alford (Shadow Creek), C.J. Fite (Tatum), Clayton Smith (Texas High School in Texasarkana), Prince Dorbah (Highland Park) and Jordan Crook (Duncanville).
Elite experience
Eight Sun Devils started all 14 games last year, and seven of them return. C.J. Fite, Josh Atkins, Ben Coleman, Max Iheanachor, Javan Robinson, Myles "Ghost" Rowser and Keith Abney II were 14-game starters. Center and second-team Walter Camp All-American Leif Fautanu is the only 14-game starter who doesn’t return in 2025.
Protecting home turf
Arizona State (6-0) was one of 16 teams to go undefeated at home in 2024 and the only Big 12 team. Oregon, Boise State, Alabama, Missouri, Army, Memphis and Tennessee all went 7-0, while Miami, Ohio, Marshall, UTSA, Georgia and Washington joined ASU at 6-0. Indiana went 8-0, while Georgia Tech went 5-0. ASU travels to one-home loss Big 12 teams from last year Iowa State (6-1), Colorado (5-1) and Baylor (5-1). The Sun Devils didn’t lose a home game for the first time since 2004.
Comfortable when it's close
Arizona State was 6-2 in one score games (5-1 in games of seven points or less) in 2024. The only teams with six or more wins in one-score games were Arkansas State (7-1), Sam Houston State (6-0), Texas Tech, Duke and Missouri (all 6-1) and Syracuse (7-2).
Fo(u)rks Up
ASU made 18 fourth-down conversions in 2024. After converting on those 18, ASU had 12 touchdowns, 2 field goals and took a knee to end the Mississippi State game. The only three times it didn’t work as it had an interception, a missed field goal and turned it over on down later in the drive.
Undefeated in November
ASU went undefeated in November for the first time since 2013 and just its third time from 1976-present. ASU also was undefeated in November in 2013 (4-0), 1996 (3-0), 1975 (5-0), 1972 (4-0), 1971 (4-0), 1970 (3-0), 1969 (5-0), 1968 (5-0), 1967 (3-0), 1965 (3-0), 1963 (4-0), 1959 (4-0), 1958 (4-0), 1957 (5-0) and 1950 (4-0).
Returning AP All Americans
Jordyn Tyson earned Third-Team Associated Press All American honors last and is one of 16 returners from those teams in 2025. He is one of five returning AP All Americans returning on offense along with center Jake Slaughter (Florida), wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) and Eric Rivers (Florida International) and tackle Spencer Fano (Utah).
2024 Big 12 honorees are back
Arizona State has six returnees from the 2024 All Big 12 Team returning next year, led by wide receiver and first team honoree Jordyn Tyson (Offensive Newcomer of the Year), second team honoree Sam Leavitt (Offensive Freshman of the Year), defensive back Xavion Alford (first), tight end Chamon Metayer (second), defensive lineman C.J. Fite (second) and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (second).
ASU alumni on Sun Devil Football 2025 roster
(listed alphabetically)
Xavion Alford, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
Coben Bourguet, BSE Engineering Management, 2024
Ben Coleman, MA Communication, 2024
Anthonie Cooper, BA Interdisciplinary Studies (Communication/Nutrition and Healthy Living), 2022
Prince Dorbah, BS Communication, 2024
Adama Fall, BA Liberal Studies
Zyrus Fiaseu, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Cameron Harpole, BA Communication, 2025
Max Iheanachor, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Chamon Metayer, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Elijah O'Neal, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
Kyle Scott, BS Psychology, 2025
Ian Shewell, BS Clinical Exercise Science, 2025
Clayton Smith, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Justin Wodtly, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Sun Devil Football on social
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Kenny Dillingham (X: @KennyDillingham | Instagram: @coachdillinghamasu)
Sam Leavitt (X: @S_leav10 | Instagram: @samleavitt10)