Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is turning heads again, this time with comments that are unlikely to sit well with Sun Devils fans. After helping Arizona State rise to the top of the Big 12 during his time in Tempe, Leavitt transferred to LSU this offseason in one of the biggest quarterback moves in college football. Now, he’s opening up about why he made the move, saying life in Baton Rouge is simply “different.”
Speaking at a recent LSU football event, Leavitt praised the Tigers’ culture and preparation, explaining why he believes LSU offers an environment unlike any he’s experienced.
“It’s funny, that’s kind of what everyone’s saying around here, ‘It’s just different,’” Leavitt said. “It really is in every aspect. You come out here to the practices, the way individual reps are run, the way every single coach is so poured into this, the time that we meet outside the facility… it truly is just a different situation.”
Leavitt added that LSU’s approach to developing players and preparing them for the NFL played a major role in his decision.
“You talk about being a pro, trying to become the best version of yourself, and there’s no other place to do it other than here.”
The comments quickly made the rounds online, with many Arizona State fans taking exception to what they viewed as an unnecessary comparison to the program that helped revive Leavitt’s career. Others pointed out that while LSU may offer a different experience, Leavitt enjoyed plenty of success in Tempe, where he built strong relationships and helped Arizona State become a contender in the Big 12.
To his credit, Leavitt acknowledged that leaving Arizona State wasn’t easy.
“Looking back at my process, leaving ASU, I had a comfortable situation. Walking into the building, I saw my guys, built great relationships, won a lot of games there. But I wanted to do something a little bit different.”
Whether his comments were intended as criticism or simply praise for his new program, they’re likely to add another chapter to one of the offseason’s biggest transfer stories. And if LSU and Arizona State ever meet on the field in the future, which isn’t planned since LSU cowardly canceled a series for later this decade, Sun Devils fans will likely be fired up.
