FRISCO, Texas – Only one quarterback-wide receiver duo from the same school was placed on the 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 team.
Both happen to be projected first-round picks in next year’s NFL Draft.
They also squabble over a pickup hoops game and fight at the dinner table like siblings.
If you ask Arizona State’s quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, that’s because they consider themselves just that: brothers.
“He had brothers growing up; I had brothers growing up, so it’s kind of that little deal,” Tyson said. “So now we’re brothers at college, I guess. Just competing in everything. We compete in pool, ping-pong and golf. We just compete in everything, and we hate to lose.”
Last summer, both Leavitt and Tyson were fresh faces in Tempe. Leavitt transferred from Michigan State, where he served as a backup for one season, and Tyson only played three games for the Sun Devils in 2023 and did not record a catch before an injury ended his season.
The budding duo showed signs of a dynamic connection right away in spring practices, ultimately leading to both earning starting roles. In 2024, Tyson totaled 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 scores, while Leavitt took home Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year en route to a Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance.
Now, Leavitt and Tyson have bigger expectations for the 2025 season. Leavitt, a redshirt sophomore, was recently tabbed the preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and is involved in Heisman Trophy discussions. From underdogs to front-runners, Leavitt believes that leaving the emotions of last season behind is critical.
“I think the only thing we really take is culture, and obviously our plays,” Leavitt said. “Same coaching staff. You have add-ons and stuff like that, but I think our culture aspect, the way that we went about winning big games, things along those lines. But you can’t take the pride from last year. Can’t take certain players and emotions. You’ve got to give and take some parts and understand what’s going to benefit you for the next season.”
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham acknowledged the national buzz around his star quarterback has only continued to grow as the offseason progressed. However, he’s not concerned with Leavitt’s mindset before beginning a new campaign.
“I (told Leavitt), ‘Don’t worry. Everybody else will tell you you’re good. I’m gonna tell you, you suck.’” Dillingham joked. “Sam has such big dreams and goals for himself that anything he reads isn’t probably as big as the goals and dreams he has for himself.”
Tyson is now the veteran voice in a receivers room featuring several new faces that will be asked to play a big role right away following the departure of workhorse tailback Cam Skattebo.
“We’re really the only [positional] room that changed drastically,” Tyson said. “But I think it’s going to work out perfectly. We’ve got a whole bunch of guys that love the team. I think that’s the recipe to everything. I just try to lead by example, and if they continue to do stuff wrong I try to get on them a little bit or give them [my] two cents when I can.”
Dillingham has taken note of Tyson’s work ethic after the receiver suffered a season-ending injury against Arizona last season, costing him playing time in the Big 12 title win over Iowa State and Peach Bowl loss to Texas. A certain former Super Bowl MVP on the ASU coaching staff has been preparing Tyson for an even bigger workload than he had a season ago.
“I think JT has really taken what Coach [Hines] Ward has said in terms of preparation and what it takes to be successful at the next level, and he’s really embodied that,” Dillingham said. “Now he’s a guy who’s early, a guy who’s always getting treatment; The guy who doesn’t leave the building. His preparation to be great is something that I’m super proud of.”
Dillingham also noted that Tyson has added 10 pounds of muscle this offseason and 1.5 mph to his top speed from a year ago.
With more of the offensive weight on Leavitt’s right shoulder, establishing a connection with the new receivers, such as Fresno State transfer Jalen Moss and Alabama transfer Jaren Hamilton, started slowly. After spring camp, Leavitt is confident in his newest running mates out wide.
“Guys lining up in different spots, not running the routes at full speed, not understanding the option game,” Leavitt said. “I’m a feel player, so I need them to sit in a lot of windows, not running through a seam straight to the post safety … Watching film with them, having on-field conversation day one to day 15 was exponential.”
Through all the change in teammates, goals, and expectations, Leavitt and Tyson have always been each other’s constant, pushing each other to their limits as friends and teammates.
“Yesterday, I was shooting hoops with JT and me and him were getting real mad at each other,” Leavitt joked. “Before that, we’re arguing at dinner. He’s a player that I’m able to go head-to-head with all the time, and he has that same competitive drive [that I have}. That’s the kind of people I like to be around.”
While the Sun Devil duo will have the nation’s attention with the possibility of winning individual awards, Leavitt and Tyson are focused on bringing the Sun Devils back to Dallas in December in search of another Big 12 title belt and more. Dillingham’s message to the locker room has been received.
“We have a lot of guys on our football team that can win these individual awards,” Dillingham said. “The only way you win an individual award is through team success. That’s why football is so great. It’s the ultimate definition of, you pour into other people, and those other people lift you up higher than you could ever do by yourself.”
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