The Hurricanes missed out on one of their top quarterback transfer targets.
Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt committed to LSU on Monday, according to multiple reports. He chose the Tigers over Miami and Tennessee.
Leavitt, who reportedly visited Miami on Jan. 10, did well in his two seasons with the Sun Devils. Leavitt transferred to ASU after one season at Michigan State, and Leavitt immediately excelled under coach Kenny Dillingham.
In 2024. Leavitt helped take Arizona State to the College Football Playoff. He completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 2,885 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Leavitt also had 443 rushing yards and five touchdowns. In his second season as the Sun Devils’ starter, Leavitt got off to a good start before his season was derailed by a foot injury. He had 1,628 yards and 10 touchdowns with three interceptions in seven games. He also had 306 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Miami has had success with transfer quarterbacks the last two seasons. Cam Ward excelled in 2024, leading UM to a 10-win season and earning a trip to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist. After one season at UM, Ward went first in the NFL draft to the Tennessee Titans.
The Hurricanes filled Ward’s shoes with Georgia transfer Carson Beck. Although Beck has not put up stats that were as eye-popping as Ward, the veteran quarterback has played well and led the Hurricanes to their first national title game since 2003.
As it stands now, the Hurricanes will have four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster next season: Emory Williams (who will be a redshirt junior), Judd Anderson (who will be a redshirt sophomore), Luke Nickel (who will be a redshirt freshman) and Dereon Coleman (who will be a true freshman).
There are dwindling options available at quarterback in the transfer portal. According to 247Sports, the top-rated transfer quarterback who has not committed is Husan Longstreet, a former five-star prospect from USC who played in four games last season. The top-rated former starter is Beau Pribula, who was Missouri’s starting quarterback before getting hurt late in the season.
Miami may also try to entice Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to return to college after declaring for the NFL draft. Simpson is a Miami target, according to 247Sports, and the Hurricanes previously convinced Ward and Beck to back out of the draft and play for UM instead. Simpson did not announce that he was entering the transfer portal when he declared for the draft.
Players have until Jan. 16 to enter their names in the transfer portal.