
Former MSU QB Sam Leavitt projected as first round pick in next year's NFL Draft
Former MSU QB Sam Leavitt projected as first round pick in next year's NFL Draft Sam Leavitt transferred to Arizona State after the 2023 season and is now considered a potential first round pick in next year's NFL Draft
A former Michigan State quarterback is projected to be a first round pick in next year's NFL Draft.
The 2025 NFL Draft came to a conclusion on Saturday, and quickly afterwards, the focus turned to next year's draft. No current Michigan State players were included in Pro Football Focus' initial first round mock draft for next year, but there was one former Spartans quarterback: Sam Leavitt.
Leavitt is currently projected by Dalton Wasserman of PFF as the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft -- which would send him to the Indianapolis Colts in this mock. He is the fourth-highest quarterback in the mock draft behind only Texas' Arch Manning, Clemson's Cade Klubnik and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier.
Leavitt played in four games as a true freshman for Michigan State in 2022. He was a big-time prospect signed by former head coach Mel Tucker and quickly entered the transfer portal after current head coach Jonathan Smith was hired at Michigan State. It was assumed quickly that current Spartans' starting quarterback Aidan Chiles would follow Smith from Oregon State to Michigan State via the transfer portal -- which, of course, happened. So Leavitt made the right choice to hit the transfer portal.
Leavitt ended up at Arizona State, where he started right away last season and led Arizona State to the Big 12 championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. He threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions last year with the Sun Devils.
If Leavitt can have similar success to last year, it sounds like he'll be moving on to the NFL as a top pick in next year's draft. Check out the complete mock draft from PFF in the post below:
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
10 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Vikings Emerge as Possible Landing Spot for Packers Star
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are hated rivals. Both the teams and fans very much dislike each other, as is the case with most teams in the NFC North division. Over the last couple of years, the division has become the best in the NFL. Last season, three of the four teams were playoff teams. The Chicago Bears were the only team that missed out, although they had an impressive offseason and should be vastly improved in 2025. On Monday, the Packers made a major move that the Vikings could capitalize on. They chose to release longtime star cornerback Jaire Alexander. Cornerback Jaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers gets set during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, at Lambeau Field on October 13, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Cornerback Jaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers gets set during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, at Lambeau Field on October 13, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo byWhen that move is made official, Minnesota will have a great opportunity. Read more: Vikings GM Shares Major JJ McCarthy Truth At this point, the Vikings still need help in the secondary. What better way to get that help than by going out and signing Alexander now that he is a free agent? That is exactly what Kay Adams suggested to Alexander in a segment on the "Up & Adams" show. "Go to the Vikings. They need a corner!" she said. Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema also named Minnesota as one of the top potential landing spots for Alexander ahead of the 2025 season. Alexander is still one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Unfortunately, injuries have held him back in a big way over the last couple of years. He has played in just seven games in each of the last two seasons. Last year, Alexander recorded 16 tackles, a fumble recovery, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and seven defended passes. He's still more than capable of making a huge impact. Read more: Steelers Could Make Huge Splash With Former Aaron Rodgers Teammate Adding the 28-year-old cornerback would also bring more of an edge to the Vikings' defense. He would be out to prove himself after being released by Green Bay and would have extra motivation to prove his old team wrong for giving up on him. As for the Packers, this would be a nightmare scenario. They know just how good Alexander is capable of being. Him landing with Minnesota would make a tough situation much worse. Expect to hear a lot of rumors and speculation about Alexander in the coming hours and days. He's a star hitting the market just before the season. Plenty of teams are going to come calling with interest, and it would not be surprising to see the Vikings be one of those teams. For more Minnesota Vikings and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.


USA Today
16 minutes ago
- USA Today
Report: Bills had trade talks for recently released Packers' CB Jaire Alexander
Report: Bills had trade talks for recently released Packers' CB Jaire Alexander The Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers had trade talks this offseason regarding veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander, sources told Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz. The report from Schultz comes on the same day that the Packers released Alexander. The team had tried to come to terms with the star corner on a renegotiated contract but that ultimately fell through. Now, Green Bay will save over $17 million for 2024, according to Over the Cap, as they give themselves financial flexibility this year. For the Bills, it's not a shocker that they were involved in these talks. Before the draft, they had a huge need at cornerback, and general manager Brandon Beane is always one to check up on situations around the league. Since then, the Bills added CB Maxwell Hairston in the first round of the draft, and they also added CB Dorian Strong in the sixth round. And, in free agency, the team brought back old friends Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson. While Christian Benford is a lock for CB1, and Hairston is projected to slide into the second starting corner spot, having good depth at corner is always a plus in the NFL. The Bills learned that lesson the hard way when they lost Benford for the crucial AFC championship game last year due to a concussion. The obvious factor in any trade talk is the financial implication, and that is likely why no team was successful in trading for Alexander this offseason. We're not sure if the Bills would entertain diving back into the Alexander sweepstakes, but if they did, it would take some serious financial gymnastics to work their way into position to pay him. While Alexander is one of the premiere talents at the CB position in the NFL, a slough of injuries have held him back and will make teams think twice before investing in the 28-year-old. He has missed ten or more games in three of the last four regular seasons. Last year, he missed the final eight games which included their loss in the wild card round. He has been a Pro Bowler the last two seasons that he's been healthy (2020, 2022).


USA Today
16 minutes ago
- USA Today
MSU hockey to face Ferris State in Great Lakes Invitational this year
MSU hockey to face Ferris State in Great Lakes Invitational this year The Great Lakes Invitational returns for its 59th installment on December 28-29, 2025 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids! We'll take on Ferris State at 7:00 p.m. on Dec. 28 in a field that also features Michigan Tech and Miami. Tickets go on sale in September at… — Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) June 9, 2025 The 59th annual Great Lakes Invitational was confirmed on Monday, with the Spartans' matchup for the event announced as well. The official schedule and details for this year's Great Lakes Invitational has been announced, with the Spartans set to face in-state rival Ferris State in the semifinals. Michigan Tech will play Miami (OH) in the other semifinals matchup, with the Spartans playing one of those two teams in either the championship or third-place game. The tournament will be held on December 28 and 29 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. Michigan Tech and Miami (OH) will meet in the first semifinal on December 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET, with the Spartans and Bulldogs playing in the second game that'll begin at approximately 7 p.m. ET. The winners of the semifinal matchups will play in the championship game at 7 p.m. ET on December 29, while the two losers will play prior to that in the consolation game at 3:30 p.m. ET. Michigan State captured its first Great Lakes Invitational championship since 2009 this past season, beating eventual national champion Western Michigan in the finals. The Spartans will again be a contender to win this event, with Michigan State expected to be a preseason top five team again this upcoming season. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.