As Lane Kiffin begins his tenure in Baton Rouge, one of the biggest questions surrounding LSU football is this: who’s going to be under center in 2026? Right now, the Tigers have just one scholarship quarterback set to return - Michael Van Buren - and while he’s a promising young talent, it’s clear LSU needs to add experience and depth to the room. That’s where the transfer portal comes into play, and one name is generating serious buzz: Sam Leavitt.
Leavitt, who spent the 2025 season at Arizona State, is emerging as a potential top target for LSU - and for good reason. He’s got the kind of resume that makes you sit up and take notice.
After beginning his college career at Michigan State, Leavitt transferred to Arizona State and promptly lit up the Big 12 in 2024. He threw for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns against just six interceptions, while adding another 443 yards and five scores on the ground.
That dual-threat ability helped lead the Sun Devils to a Big 12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed - especially not by someone like Lane Kiffin, who’s developed a reputation as one of the best in the business when it comes to maximizing quarterback talent. Just look at his recent track record.
At Ole Miss, Kiffin turned Jaxson Dart into a first-round NFL Draft pick. He also helped elevate Trinidad Chambliss from a Division II standout into a legitimate national name in just one season.
Kiffin’s system has proven it can take talented quarterbacks and put them in position to succeed - and that’s exactly what makes the potential pairing with Leavitt so intriguing.
Now, there’s no official word yet on whether Leavitt is headed to LSU, but the fit is hard to ignore. He’s a proven playmaker with big-game experience, and if he’s looking to boost his NFL draft stock, the SEC offers the kind of weekly competition that scouts love. Playing against future pros every Saturday is the surest way to show you belong at the next level, and LSU - with its national spotlight and Kiffin’s offensive mind - could be the perfect launching pad.
Leavitt’s 2025 season was unfortunately cut short due to a foot injury that required surgery, but even in limited action, he showed he could still produce. In just seven games, he threw for 1,628 yards and 10 touchdowns, with only three interceptions.
He also continued to be a threat on the ground, rushing for 306 yards and five more scores. When healthy, there’s no question he’s one of the most dynamic quarterbacks available in the portal.
And make no mistake - LSU needs that kind of spark. The Tigers’ offense struggled in 2025, finishing 15th in the SEC in scoring with just 21.8 points per game.
They failed to top 25 points against any FBS opponent, and the lack of a consistent playmaker at quarterback was a big reason why. Kiffin’s arrival brings hope for a more explosive offense, but he’ll need the right trigger man to make it all work.
Leavitt, with his arm talent, mobility, and big-game experience, could be that guy.
As the offseason unfolds and the portal carousel keeps spinning, this is a storyline worth watching. If Leavitt does end up in Baton Rouge, it could be the start of something special - not just for him, but for a Tigers program eager to return to SEC contention under its new head coach.