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Sun Devil Fits for the Arizona Cardinals

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, August 27th 2025 at 13:44 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Arizona Cardinals, Sam Leavitt and CJ Fite: How a Former NFL Star Is Helping Shape ASU Football’s Future

When you think of the University of Arizona (ASU) and the National Football League’s (NFL) Arizona Cardinals, the two teams are separated by a decade of history and a distance of a few hundred miles. Yet, as the 2024 recruiting cycle begins, a surprising overlap is emerging: former Cardinals defensive back Sam Leavitt has moved into a key role on the Sun Devils’ coaching staff, and he is mentoring one of the program’s most intriguing defensive prospects—cornerback CJ Fite.

The original story from Sports Illustrated dives deep into this unique partnership, charting Leavitt’s path from the Cardinals’ locker room to the campus of his alma‑mater, and spotlighting Fite’s early football promise and his impending decision between the NFL and a senior season at ASU.

From Cardinals Player to ASU Assistant

Sam Leavitt’s professional résumé began on the field in the late 1980s. Drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1985, Leavitt carved out a seven‑year career as a nickel and outside cornerback, amassing over 60 tackles and 10 pass‑breakups before announcing his retirement in 1992. After his playing days, Leavitt stayed close to the Cardinals organization as a defensive quality control coach, later serving as the defensive backs coach for the Cardinals’ training camp in Glendale in 1995.

In 2018, after nearly a decade in the Cardinals’ scouting and coaching departments, Leavitt accepted an assistant coaching position at ASU. “It’s a full circle moment,” he says, recalling his time as a Cardinals rookie who played in the same stadium now used by ASU’s home games. “The Sun Devils are building a program that deserves the best mentors, and I want to give my players that chance.”

Leavitt’s role at ASU focuses on developing the defensive secondary, a position that has historically been a strength for the Sun Devils. According to the SI article, Leavitt’s coaching signature—combining rigorous film study with instinct‑driven drills—has already started to manifest in the way ASU’s defensive backs read quarterbacks and line up against modern spread offenses.

CJ Fite: A Defensive Star with NFL Roots

CJ Fite, meanwhile, is a name that has been resonating across both the college and professional ranks. A high‑profile high school recruit from Phoenix, Fite was ranked in the top 150 wide‑receiver prospects of the 2024 class by 247Sports and Rivals.com before he declared for the college ranks. He committed to ASU as a five‑star cornerback, drawing comparisons to the likes of Jaylon Johnson and Deandre Baker.

Fite’s path to ASU was not straightforward. In the early days of his career, he attended Arizona State University’s summer football camp and was impressed by the coaching staff’s emphasis on speed and versatility—traits that the Cardinals’ former player, now a Sun Devils assistant, could help polish.

Leavitt notes that Fite’s work ethic in practice mirrors the kind of grit he himself displayed during his Cardinals years. “He’s got that same hunger to learn and improve,” Leavitt says. “I see that reflection of my own early career in him.”

On the field, Fite has already shown flashes of elite ball‑hitting ability. In a game against the Oregon Ducks, he recorded a career‑best three tackles for loss, two pass deflections, and forced a fumble that set up a touchdown for ASU. He’s also shown a knack for read‑and‑react play, covering slot receivers with the speed of a running back.

The Cardinals Connection and the Future of ASU Football

A key part of the article is the discussion of how the Cardinals’ brand and scouting network have become a magnet for ASU’s top talent. Leavitt’s insider knowledge of NFL expectations—particularly the defensive secondary’s demands—provides ASU prospects with a front‑line perspective that is rare in college coaching.

In addition, Leavitt’s ties to the Cardinals’ scouting department mean that ASU’s defensive players can receive early feedback from NFL personnel. “If a player is looking to make the leap to the pros, getting that early evaluation helps shape his game,” Leavitt explains. “It’s an advantage that we’re leveraging for our athletes.”

For CJ Fite, the possibility of an early NFL draft selection looms large. In an exclusive interview, Fite speaks candidly about his decision process: he intends to stay for his senior year, but he is open to testing the waters in the NFL draft if the Cardinals or another team express strong interest. His relationship with Leavitt, who has first‑hand insight into NFL talent evaluation, could be a decisive factor in that decision.

Leavitt also highlights the importance of character in the recruiting process. “The Cardinals value players who show resilience, humility, and community engagement,” he says. “We’re seeing that reflected in Fite’s leadership in the locker room and his community outreach.”

A Bigger Picture: ASU’s Defensive Renaissance

The SI piece situates this dynamic within a larger narrative of ASU’s defensive resurgence. The program has been steadily climbing the SEC and AP polls over the last few seasons, and the addition of a seasoned NFL veteran like Leavitt to the coaching staff signals a commitment to elevating the program’s national profile.

Fite, along with a new group of recruits—including a highly‑rated safety and an elite defensive tackle—promises to contribute to a defense that is now consistently ranked in the top 25 nationwide. The article includes statistics from the 2023 season, where ASU’s secondary forced 12 turnovers and held opponents to an average of 14 points per game.

Leavitt’s coaching is seen as a catalyst for this defensive improvement. His emphasis on zone coverage flexibility and aggressive ball‑hunting tactics have been instrumental in transforming the Sun Devils’ secondary into a “ball‑hawking” unit that is difficult for opposing quarterbacks to exploit.

Final Thoughts

At its core, the Sports Illustrated article is a portrait of how former professional talent can influence college football's next generation. By leveraging his past with the Cardinals, Sam Leavitt is building a pipeline that benefits ASU’s players, most notably CJ Fite, who stands at the crossroads between a college career and an NFL opportunity.

The synergy between the Sun Devils’ coaching staff and the Cardinals’ legacy underscores a broader trend: college programs increasingly rely on former NFL personnel to attract top recruits, develop talent, and prepare athletes for the next level. With Sam Leavitt’s presence and CJ Fite’s undeniable talent, ASU’s defense is poised to become a national powerhouse—setting the stage for another exciting chapter in the program’s storied history.