Sam Leavitt enters transfer portal, cites Jonathan Smith's 'disrespectful' recruitment

Michigan State Spartans freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt entered his name into the NCAA's transfer portal on Monday.

But rather than entering the portal due to a coach leaving, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound signal-caller said he put his name in, and all-but-eliminated Michigan State, because of his history with new head coach Jonathan Smith.

"I don't know if I'm considering staying - just with previous relations with this staff. I've made my decision in terms of Michigan State," he said. "Being a hometown kid and not getting an offer from them felt disrespectful, so that's always stuck with me." 

Asked if he may have stayed with a different hire, Leavitt considered his answer carefully.

"I was definitely open to it," he said. "They would've had to recruit me, but I was considering (staying at) Michigan State, for sure." 

The transfer portal officially opens December 4 (Monday).

Leavitt was a four-star prospect in the class of 2023, rated the nation's No. 18 quarterback.

As a West Linn (Oregon) senior, he was named the state's Gatorade Player of the Year, throwing for 3,065 yards and 36 touchdowns with an additional 693 yards and eight scores on the ground, leading the Lions to a 6A state championship.

Leavitt became a hot commodity late in the recruiting process, and committed to Michigan State over heavy national interest, highlighted by offers from Arizona, Florida State, Washington and Washington State. 

He did not, however, receive a scholarship from the Smith-led Oregon State Beavers. 

It's been a tumultuous season in East Lansing, as Mel Tucker was let go in the middle of the season and the program was left in limbo until this weekend's hiring of Smith.

Those changes, Leavitt said, did not factor into his ability to prepare to play on Saturdays. 

"I don't know how difficult it was for me," he said. "Every day was about going to work. I took all of it with a grain of salt. I just came to work regardless of who was there, because at the end of the day I've still got to get myself prepared for the NFL."

As a freshman, Leavitt earned playing time in four games and flashed the potential that initially made him a bluechip recruit, going 15-of-23 (65.2 percent) for 139 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Because players can still redshirt if they appear in only four games, he should still have four years to play four at his next destination.

Leavitt said he is open to all schools and may visit a select few before making a final decision.