Michigan State football: Sam Leavitt named Oregon’s Gatorade Player of the Year

Mel Tucker made some big moves in the recruiting landscape over the final weeks leading up to early signing day. Michigan State football got exponentially better before officially signing the No. 23 class in the country for 2023.

One of those big moves was flipping four-star quarterback Sam Leavitt from Washington State after an official visit.

He’s been one of the fastest-rising prospects in the entire 2023 class, jumping about 500 spots in the recruiting rankings, going from the 800-range to No. 375 nationally in the composite. Michigan State seemed to strike gold by flipping him from the Cougars.

And on Friday, he was named Oregon’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

Leavitt is the best player in a talented crop of players from the state of Oregon. Plus, he’s the No. 23 quarterback in the nation and should undoubtedly push for the starting job within the next couple of years.

Michigan State football’s QB room is built for the long run

Michigan State brings back Payton Thorne after he threw for about 6,000 yards and 46 touchdowns over the past two seasons and Katin Houser returns after being the highest-rated quarterback commit in the Tucker era.

Outside of those two who will likely be competing for the starting job is Noah Kim who looked really good in garbage time last season and now Leavitt.

To say Michigan State’s quarterback room is loaded for the 2023 season is an understatement but I would be shocked if every single one of those four guys return. I would not be shocked to see Thorne or Kim hit the transfer portal after spring ball.

Either way, Michigan State has landed really good four-star quarterbacks in back-to-back classes after flipping them from other programs.

This room is getting better every year.