Breaking tradition: How Dallin Leavitt became Aggie
Everything about his story destined him for BYU. His father, a former Cougar linebacker. His mother, a graduate of the university. Even generations before them called Provo home – at least for four years. He first knew he wanted to play football in the first grade and, even at that young age, he wanted to play it in royal blue and white. His first scholarship offer came when he was just a freshman;, his acceptance followed a year later. His first steps on the turf field at LaVell Edwards Stadium marked the fulfilment of a childhood dream, a father’s ambition and a new legacy’s beginning.
Dallin Leavitt was born and bred to become a Cougar.
The first 20 years of his life certainly alluded to that. It was that certainty about becoming a Cougar that helped to solidify his judgment as he continued to turn down offer upon offer from powerhouse programs like Oregon, Utah, Arizona State, California, Stanford, UCLA, and the list goes on.
For 20 years it was BYU or bust.
But one phone call changed everything.
It came shortly after the end of Leavitt’s sophomore season as a Cougar. It came because, for Leavitt, something never quite felt right,. BYU never felt like the home it was always meant to be. Late in November of 2014, he signaled to the university that he intended to transfer and turned to a friend and former teammate for advice.
He turned to Aggies’ tight end Wyatt Houston.
In a phone call just a couple days removed from his transfer waiver, Leavitt called his high school teammate to ask where he thought he should play.
Houston’s response was simple —- come play for Utah State.
In the end that was all that needed to be said. In the days following, Leavitt, and his father, Jared, set up a meeting with coach Matt Wells in Logan to see if Utah State would be the right fit for the budding young safety. Together they toured the facilities, the campus and the community. After seeing the program, understanding what his role would be and meeting with players and coaches alike, Leavitt had his mind made up —– he would become an Aggie.
“It was the best decision of my life to transfer,” Leavitt said. “I felt at home right away. I knew this is where I wanted to be and where I needed to play.”
However, his transfer meant that he had broken more than just rivalry lines —, Leavitt had decided to walk away from the university that his family held so dear.
“It definitely is a betrayal against BYU,” said Jared Leavitt. “I know some of the coaches see it that way. The players, the fans, they all feel it too. Even some of the family was a little shocked when it happened.”
For Leavitt, it wasn’t an easy decision, but certainly, in the long run, he feels like it will be the right choice. Now his focus has turned toward this season where, after sitting out the 2015 season per NCAA transfer rules, he is ready to contribute in his fresh start.
“I’ll be playing mostly safety, nickel, and I might line up at corner if needed,” Leavitt said. “I will do whatever I have to do to help this team be successful, no questions asked.”
Yet even before playing a down in an Aggie uniform, he has already assumed the starting job and the leadership role that comes with it. That’s a lot to be said when joining the experienced and deep group the Aggies’ have in the backfield this year.
Lining up next to Leavitt is Devin Centers, Utah State’s true “center fielder.” The 2014 All-Mountain West honoree is built more like a strong safety and can hit like one as well. He is an athletic playmaker and can cover sideline-to-sideline in a hurry. Although his numbers did drop off last year, he is ready to shine in his senior season.
In front of them is Jalen Davis, the star junior cornerback who continues to impress. Fresh off his All-Mountain West season, Davis is fully expected to be among the top lockdown corners in the division even when that position is so deep. He and senior corner Daniel Gray will redirect receivers at the line of scrimmage and run step-for-step with them down field.
Add in rotational safeties Jontrell Rocquemore and Gaje Ferguson, along with reserve corners Wesley Bailey and Jentz Painter and you have arguably the two deepest positions on the roster.
“You’ve got a lot of versatility on that back end,” Wells said. “We will most certainly rely on them this season and they know that. They’re ready for it.”
Listed at 5-10 and weighing in at 205 pounds, Leavitt will serve as the Aggies’ strong safety. His job is two-fold. First and foremost he is tasked with guiding his teammates and making sure they they are set in the right positions. Secondly he has to produce, and Wells’ expectations are high. In one play he might be called upon to stuff the run in the box and seal the edge against opposing runners. In the next, he needs to be able to cover receivers down field and force turnovers.
“Being a safety is like being on an island,” Leavitt said. “It’s just you and your brothers against the world. If you make a play, everyone will see it; but if you don’t, and they run by you, everyone will know.”
Throughout the season Leavitt will certainly have his work cut out for him, but on his calendar, one game in particular takes precedence — Nov. 26 at BYU. It will be his homecoming in an unapologetic return and, he will have the chance to shine in the spotlight.