Kenny Dillingham is a man who knows a thing or two about competition. As the offensive coordinator for Arizona State, he has seen his fair share of talented players come and go. But when it comes to quarterback Sam Leavitt, Dillingham’s eyes light up with excitement. In a recent interview with Pete Thamel and Rece Davis on the College GameDay podcast, Dillingham couldn’t help but gush about his star QB.
“He’s a competitor,” Dillingham said proudly. “He makes plays that we don’t even call for. It’s like he has a sixth sense for the game.”
It’s not just empty praise from Dillingham. If you take a look at Arizona State’s performance last season, it’s clear that Leavitt is a force to be reckoned with on the field. Despite facing some tough opponents, Leavitt led the Sun Devils to a respectable 6-5 record. And now, with a new season on the horizon, Dillingham has even bigger plans for his star quarterback.
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Leavitt. Dillingham admits that when he first arrived at Arizona State, he may have unintentionally set Leavitt up for some struggles. But it was all for a greater purpose.
“Sometimes as a coach, you have to push your players out of their comfort zone in order for them to reach their full potential,” Dillingham explained. “I knew Sam had the talent and the drive, but I wanted to see him push himself even further.”
And it seems that Dillingham’s strategy paid off. Last season, Leavitt threw for over 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns, making him one of the top QBs in the Pac-12 conference. But Dillingham isn’t satisfied with just being among the best. He wants Leavitt to be the best.
That’s why this season, Dillingham is challenging Leavitt even more. He’s giving him more control over the offense, allowing him to make audibles and adjustments on the field. Dillingham even revealed that he’s been working with Leavitt on his mental game, helping him become a more confident and strategic leader on the field.
But Leavitt isn’t the only one who will be stepping up this season. Dillingham also announced that Jordyn Tyson, previously the director of recruiting, will now take on a new role as the assistant director of player personnel. This move highlights Dillingham’s commitment to building a strong and cohesive team, both on and off the field.
“Jordyn has been an invaluable asset to our team, and I have no doubt she will excel in this new role,” Dillingham said. “Having strong and dedicated staff like her allows us to focus on our players and their development.”
It’s clear that Dillingham has a deep understanding of what it takes to build a successful team. He knows that it’s not just about having the best players, but also about fostering a culture of competition and growth. And with Leavitt and Tyson leading the way, Arizona State is poised to have a standout season.
So as we eagerly await the start of the new college football season, let’s keep an eye on the Sun Devils and their star QB Sam Leavitt. With Kenny Dillingham at the helm, there’s no doubt that Arizona State will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 conference. And who knows, with Leavitt’s talent and Dillingham’s guidance, the Sun Devils may just surprise us all and make a run for the national championship.
