ASU football: Dynamic duo of Leavitt and Tyson on full display in victory over UCF

TEMPE, Ariz.– This fall ASU football has primarily relied on one player to be a catalyst for their offense: senior running back Cam Skattebo. However, with Skattebo sidelined due to injury on Saturday night against Central Florida, the Sun Devils needed other offensive playmakers to step up. 

In their star running back’s absence, ASU relied upon the combination of redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt and redshirt sophomore receiver Jordan Tyson to spark the offense.

The duo displayed an impressive connection that showed promise of becoming a special pairing in Tempe for years to come. 

The connection comes through in the clutch

In the second halves this season, the connection between Leavitt and Tyson seems to kick into a new gear. Against UCF this phenomenon continued. 

Leavitt connected with Tyson for two touchdowns–one in the third quarter on an eight-yard pass and again later in the fourth quarter on a nine-yard strike–to help secure a 35-31 Sun Devil victory. 

Tyson explained how Leavitt’s composure gives him and the offense confidence to execute down the stretch in one-score games.

“He’s a proven winner,” Tyson said. “Whenever we need a play, whenever we need a drive, put it on Sam’s shoulders he’s going to get it done.”

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In his own right, Tyson made some improbable catches on jump balls to ignite ASU’s offense in the second half. He finished the night with 99 yards on seven receptions to add to his two touchdowns. 

His emergence–after missing last season due to injury–has remained key to the Sun Devils’ offensive success, as he gives the offense a true alpha receiver.

“I think I’ve grown so much as a player mentally,” Tyson said. “Like not letting the little stuff make me mad. Just everything. I went through a lot and I was just kinda out of it. Just Hines (Ward) bringing that back into me and just feeling the good stuff and just what I need to focus on and bring every day.”

A bright future ahead

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the pairing between Leavitt and Tyson is their youth. 

Tyson, only a redshirt sophomore, and Leavitt, only a redshirt freshman, maintain multiple years of eligibility left and have a chance to build on their chemistry for years to come. 

“It’s an unbelievable connection right now,” Dillingham said. “ I mean those guys, JT (Jordan Tyson) has two more years. Sam has three more years. That could be an exciting combo here for the future of Sun Devil football.”

Against UCF, Leavitt displayed exceptional poise, often evading pressure and extending plays to move the chains. 

Dillingham remains especially excited about the maturation of his quarterback who once again displayed experience beyond his youth against UCF.

The foundation for future success with ASU football

“The fact that that dude has three years left, every company in the state should be calling in for an NIL deal,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “People should be throwing cars at him… they should be throwing whatever they can throw at him to be excited about the fact that you have an NFL-level player in your state.”

Tyson reciprocated this excitement and appreciates Leavitt’s commitment to his craft to be prepared on game day.

“He’s an NFL quarterback and I’m going to be able (to be) in a front-row seat to watch him grow step by step,” Tyson said. “He’s just so smart. He puts in the time every week in the film room, here at 10 or 11 at night. So when it gets to the game it’ll be easy. So I’m just out there trying to do my best for him.”

With potentially a few more years of Leavitt and Tyson, the foundation for the future of ASU’s offense looks to be set in stone.

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