In a recent segment that has stirred considerable buzz across the college football landscape, FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt made a bold proclamation: Michigan State quarterback Sam Leavitt belongs in the conversation as one of the top ten quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2025 season. While some may consider it a premature take, Klatt offered a compelling argument grounded in film study, statistical analysis, and what he described as “an undeniable trajectory of greatness.”
Leavitt, a former four-star recruit out of Oregon, made headlines in 2023 when he transferred from Michigan State following limited playing time during his true freshman season. His decision to re-enter the Spartans program in 2024, under the leadership of new head coach Jonathan Smith, was a defining moment in his young career. Since then, he’s turned heads throughout the offseason with his progress in spring camp, his command of the offense, and an emerging leadership presence.
“Watch the tape,” Klatt said during his show The Joel Klatt Show. “Sam Leavitt is not just some promising young QB — he’s already playing with a level of anticipation, ball placement, and composure that puts him ahead of where most top-tier guys were at his age. He processes defenses like a veteran, and his upside is sky-high.”
Klatt compared Leavitt’s skill set to several current and former college standouts, noting his blend of arm talent, athleticism, and calm under pressure resembles the early collegiate careers of players like Caleb Williams and Justin Herbert. What stood out most, however, was Klatt’s focus on Leavitt’s mental game.
“In pressure situations, you can’t coach poise — and Leavitt’s got it,” Klatt said. “You saw it in the limited snaps he took as a freshman. He doesn’t flinch in the pocket. He makes throws on third-and-long, he understands when to take chances and when to live for the next play.”
Leavitt’s emergence has coincided with a wave of optimism surrounding Michigan State football, which is looking to rebuild after a turbulent few seasons. With Jonathan Smith’s arrival and a rejuvenated quarterback room, the Spartans are expected to be one of the Big Ten’s most intriguing storylines in 2025.
Smith himself has spoken glowingly about Leavitt throughout spring practices. “Sam’s got the tools, no doubt, but it’s the way he prepares — that’s what separates him,” Smith said. “He’s in early, he’s asking the right questions, and he’s bringing guys along with him. He’s becoming the kind of leader you need under center.”
While Leavitt’s statistical resume isn’t yet as robust as some of the household names in college football — like Quinn Ewers of Texas or Carson Beck of Georgia — Klatt argues that the data doesn’t tell the full story. “Some of the best quarterbacks don’t light up the stat sheet early,” he said. “It’s about traits, growth curve, and projection. And Leavitt, right now, is checking every box you want.”
Critics have pointed to Leavitt’s lack of sustained game experience as a reason to temper expectations. But Klatt countered that many of the nation’s elite quarterbacks burst onto the scene in their second or third year, once they were given the reins to the offense full-time.
“This is the year we find out,” Klatt said. “And I think we’re going to be talking about Sam Leavitt in the Heisman conversation by midseason if Michigan State clicks.”
If Leavitt does emerge as a top-ten quarterback, it would mark a significant milestone for the Spartans, who have not had a nationally recognized star at the position since Kirk Cousins and Connor Cook. It would also reinforce Klatt’s reputation for identifying breakout stars early in their rise — something he’s done with past picks like Joe Burrow and CJ Stroud.
For now, Leavitt remains focused on the grind, brushing off the media attention while he and the Spartans prepare for a challenging 2025 schedule that includes matchups with Penn State, Ohio State, and a potential season-defining showdown with Oregon.
“I’m just trying to get better every day,” Leavitt told reporters after a recent spring practice. “That’s all I can control — keep learning, keep competing, and be ready when my number’s called.”
Whether or not he cracks the consensus top ten list by season’s end, Sam Leavitt is certainly a name to watch — and thanks to Joel Klatt’s stamp of belief, the spotlight on East Lansing just got a little brighter.
