Breaking: Arizona State Duo Crowned College Football’s Elite QB-WR Tandem
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the college football world, Arizona State’s dynamic duo—quarterback Jaden Leavitt and wide receiver Malachi Tyson—has been named the top quarterback-wide receiver combination in the nation by Brad Crawford of 24/7 Sports. This bold proclamation places them ahead of Ohio State’s superstar pairing of Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, a tandem many believed was untouchable entering the 2025 season.
Leavitt, a redshirt sophomore with a cannon for an arm and a surgeon’s precision, has exploded onto the national stage this year. Through just seven games, he has thrown for 2,734 yards and 24 touchdowns, completing 71.3% of his passes and showing the kind of poise typically reserved for seasoned veterans. What sets Leavitt apart is not just his accuracy, but his ability to read defenses and improvise under pressure. Whether he’s dissecting zone coverage or escaping a collapsing pocket, Leavitt has proven time and again that he is the real deal.
His partner in this aerial assault, Malachi Tyson, has emerged as the most electrifying receiver in college football. A former four-star recruit from Texas, Tyson combines elite speed with exceptional route-running and a vertical leap that makes him a nightmare for defensive backs. With 58 receptions, 1,039 yards, and 11 touchdowns through seven games, Tyson is not just racking up stats—he’s redefining what it means to be a WR1 in a Power Five conference. His one-handed, back-corner touchdown grab against Oregon last week went viral and is already being dubbed “Catch of the Year.”
Crawford’s assessment, while surprising to some, is grounded in metrics and film study. “Leavitt and Tyson have chemistry that jumps off the tape,” he wrote. “They’re not just producing at a high level—they’re dominating defenses in ways we haven’t seen since the Burrow-Chase LSU era.” This comparison has only intensified the buzz surrounding the Sun Devils, a program that has quietly transformed from a rebuilding project to a legitimate contender under second-year head coach Marcus Holloway.
What makes this rise even more remarkable is the context. Arizona State was predicted to finish near the bottom of the Pac-12 in most preseason polls. Yet, behind Leavitt’s leadership and Tyson’s explosive playmaking, they now sit at 6–1, with wins over ranked opponents and a real shot at a conference title. NFL scouts are already circling Tempe, and ESPN has confirmed that College GameDay will visit for next week’s showdown against USC.
As the season pushes forward, the spotlight will only intensify. But if their performance so far is any indication, Leavitt and Tyson aren’t just a flash in the pan—they’re the new standard for quarterback-receiver excellence in college football. The rest of the nation might still be catching up, but in Arizona, the future is already here.
