Samlybitt’s Motivation Strategy for the Upcoming Season

Arizona Sun Devils quarterback, Samlybitt, has an interesting approach to motivation—a list on his whiteboard in his room. It’s not a tally of what he wants to achieve, but rather a list of quarterbacks he aims to outperform in the 2025 season.

While Leavitt keeps the specifics of this list under wraps, it’s a method he’s adopted for some time now. It gives him a motivational boost when he feels he needs it.

He learned about this technique from his brother, Dallin. “I’ve never really felt like I’ve matured,” Leavitt remarked. “There are always players ranked above me, but my brother once mentioned that you need to have someone to chase.” His brother’s words resonated, especially since Leavitt felt somewhat overlooked early on in his career.

“It took a while for that idea to sink in,” he added. “I wasn’t getting recognized, so that made it tough to aim for a top position.”

This motivation seems to be working; during his breakout season with the Sun Devils, Leavitt emerged as a noticeable contender for discussions around top college quarterbacks heading into next season.

Before transferring to Michigan in 2023 from Oregon, he had been somewhat of an underestimated prospect. After spending part of a season there, he moved to Arizona where he played a pivotal role in leading his team to the College Football Playoffs, following their Big XII conference victory. Leavitt’s stats were impressive—2,885 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and he also rushed for 443 yards and five scores.

“Being in the conversation with the top ten quarterbacks is a real motivator for me,” he noted. “It pushes me to wake up early, stick to my routine, and even push through those stretches I sometimes want to skip. That list is a little extra push I need during those times.”

Interestingly, despite the accomplishments he’s had, Leavitt isn’t entirely satisfied. “I didn’t play to the level I wanted last season. I left a lot on the table,” he reflected when discussing his performance during the 2024 campaign. This sense of dissatisfaction fuels him this offseason. “I believe every player should feel that way. We should never be content.”

He recalled his senior year when his team clinched the state title, saying, “Even then, I didn’t play as well as I could have. It’s a strange feeling.”

As New Year approaches, Leavitt and his teammates gear up for challenges ahead, now carrying the added pressure that comes from being Big XII champions.

Alongside the quarterback list, Leavitt has another goal jotted down: the Heisman Trophy. “I think about the Heisman and the National Championship—they’re the ultimate objectives,” he expressed. “But improvement is a daily commitment. You need those big aspirations, but reaching them takes consistent effort. It’s about being better than yesterday, pushing your limits every day.”