Utah will likely face Arizona State’s backup QB on Saturday

The Big 12 shared the second batch of availability reports for Utah and Arizona State Thursday night, with a big name categorized as "doubtful."

Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt, who previously appeared under the "probable" tab on the initial availability report, was downgraded to "doubtful" two days before Saturday's showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The surprise addition to the availability report means there will be a 25% chance that Leavitt, who's yet to miss a game this season, will play in the Week 7 contest between the Utes and Sun Devils. Leavitt's completed 63.1% of his passes for 1,039 yards and 8 touchdowns through five games this season.

Should the 6-foot-2 sophomore be unavailable for Saturday's game, Arizona State will look to veteran signal-caller Jeff Sims to lead the offense, according to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Sims, now in his sixth-year, played three seasons at Georgia Tech and one at Nebraska before transferring to Arizona State ahead of the 2024 campaign. He's appeared in 36 games across his college career, including four last season with the Sun Devils. Sims has completed 57.4% of his pass attempts and has 31 career touchdown passes to 29 interceptions.

Arizona State already ruled true freshman Cameron Dyer "out" for Saturday in its initial availability report.

For the Utes, they've ruled out seven players for Saturday's tilt, though it appears they'll have Jackson Bennee after the two-way standout sustained an injury during the West Virginia game.

Per a source, veteran Jeff Sims would be in line to start for ASU if Leavitt can't go. He's a sixth-year senior who has played at both Georgia Tech and Nebraska. https://t.co/JkYWRwTDkQ
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 10, 2025

Utah Availability Report

Out

S Rabbit Evans
S Nate Ritchie
WR Daidren Zipperer
TE Hunter Andrews
DE Paul Fitzgerald
S Josh Sovereign
OL Isaiah Garcia

Arizona State Availability Report

Out

DB Xavion Alford
DE Albert Smith III
WR Noble Johnson
QB Cameron Dyer
DB Plas Johnson
LB Zyrus Fiaseu
OL Doughless Teloma
DL Ian Shewell
OL Brent Helton
DL Zac Swanson
DL MyKeil Gardner
OL Desean Bryant Jr.

Doubtful

QB Sam Leavitt

Questionable

RB Kyson Brown

Probable

DL Clayton Smith
S Xavier Skowron
TE Khamari Anderson
P Kanyon Floyd
K Jesus Gomez
DB Montana Warren

When do Big 12 teams have to submit availability reports?

Big 12 football programs are required to submit daily availability reports beginning three days before each game. The initial reports are posted on the league's website at 8 p.m. MT.

What do the designations mean?

Initial report categories

Out: Broad term for any reason a student-athlete cannot play in the upcoming conference game (injury, illness, suspension, eligibility or legal issues, or personal matters)
Out (1st half): Suspended for the first half of the upcoming game due to the NCAA targeting rule
Doubtful: Has a 25% chance of playing
Questionable: Has a 50% chance of playing
Probable: Has a 75% chance of playing
Available: Has a 100% chance of playing; must be designated if previously appeared on a previous availability report and is now expected to participate