**BREAKING NEWS (Just Now): Arizona State Sun Devils Part Ways with Quarterback Sam Leavitt Following Heated Altercation with Head Coach Kenny Dillingham**
*Tempe, AZ – In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the college football community, Arizona State University announced moments ago that it is parting ways with quarterback Sam Leavitt following an intense altercation with Head Coach Kenny Dillingham. The incident, reportedly involving verbal abuse directed at Dillingham, occurred during a closed practice session earlier this week.*
Sources within the program, speaking on condition of anonymity, describe a heated exchange that escalated beyond the bounds of normal competitive tension. Witnesses say the confrontation began after Leavitt was pulled from first-team reps during a scrimmage and spiraled quickly, with the sophomore quarterback allegedly shouting profanities and questioning the coach’s leadership in front of the team.
“Coach Dillingham tried to de-escalate things, but Leavitt just wouldn’t back down,” one team staff member said. “It was loud, it was disrespectful, and it crossed a line.”
In a hastily organized press conference outside Sun Devil Stadium, Dillingham confirmed the decision, though he stopped short of going into detail.
“We hold our players to a standard—not just of performance, but of character,” Dillingham said. “This program is built on respect and accountability. Unfortunately, Sam’s actions this week forced us to make a very difficult but necessary decision. We wish him the best moving forward.”
Leavitt, a highly touted transfer from Michigan State, was expected to compete for the starting quarterback role this fall after showing flashes of brilliance during spring camp. His departure leaves a significant void in the Sun Devils’ quarterback room and raises questions about the program’s stability heading into the 2025 season.
The altercation reportedly had been brewing for weeks, with tensions rising between Leavitt and the coaching staff over his usage, play-calling responsibilities, and locker room dynamics. Though he had not been named the definitive starter, many believed Leavitt’s upside made him the frontrunner in the quarterback battle.
Neither Leavitt nor his representatives have commented publicly, though sources close to the player suggest he is exploring options to enter the transfer portal immediately.
This marks yet another turbulent chapter for Arizona State’s football program, which has undergone significant transformation under Dillingham’s leadership. While the coach has received praise for instilling discipline and energy into the team, critics argue that the revolving door of players and mounting internal friction could derail long-term progress.
With just months before kickoff, the focus now shifts to backup quarterbacks Jaden Rashada and Jacob Conover, who will be thrust into the spotlight amid this unexpected shakeup. Meanwhile, the university community is left reeling from what many are calling one of the most abrupt and dramatic player departures in recent memory.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
