At the same time Miami prepares for Texas A&M, the fan base should already be looking ahead to life after Carson Beck. And with recent news, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt looks to be a real possibility for the future.
Leavitt is expected to enter the transfer portal, and Oregon, Indiana, Miami and LSU are early programs to watch once he officially hits the portal window in January.
NEW: Oregon, Indiana, Miami, and LSU are early schools to watch for Arizona State transfer QB Sam Leavitt, @PeteNakos reports👀https://t.co/Wv4pIiNkOw pic.twitter.com/9VUjZN39kS
— On3 (@On3sports) December 15, 2025
Sam Leavitt should be the No. 1 target for Miami in 2026
Mario Cristobal has rebuilt the Hurricanes around proven transfer quarterbacks, first landing Cam Ward for the 2024 season and then flipping ex-Georgia starter Carson Beck out of the portal for 2025. Ward helped push the program back to national relevance, and Beck followed with a strong season that has Miami sitting at 10-2 and preparing for a CFP first-round trip to Kyle Field to face Texas A&M. With Beck in his final year of eligibility, and no definitive replacement currently in the QB room, Miami is almost certainly shopping for another veteran starter in 2026.
The appeal is easy to see. Leavitt broke out in 2024, his first year as Arizona State's starter after transferring from Michigan State. The Oregon native completed 61.7% of his passes for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions, earning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors and second-team All-Big 12 recognition. More importantly, he helped lead the Sun Devils to a 45-19 win over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game, clinching the program's first outright conference title since 1996 and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
That postseason run, including a spirited Peach Bowl quarterfinal loss to Texas, turned Leavitt into one of the faces of the Big 12. Heading into 2025, he was a preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year pick and a trendy dark-horse Heisman candidate.
This season did not go as scripted. Leavitt battled a lingering right foot injury, suffered in a September win over Baylor, and ultimately underwent season-ending surgery in late October. Even in a shortened year, he completed just over 60% of his passes for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in seven games, while continuing to contribute as a runner. Over the last two seasons at Arizona State, he has run for more than 800 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Not a lot of programs would commit to three straight transfer QB's, but the Canes and Leavitt look like a perfect fit for 2026.