Lane Kiffin’s High-Flying Recruiting Hustle Lands LSU a Top Transfer Class
When LSU head coach Lane Kiffin hears “no” in recruiting, he doesn’t take it as a final answer. He takes it as a boarding call.
That mindset - relentless, reactive, and ready to fly at a moment’s notice - just helped LSU land two of the most coveted players in the transfer portal: quarterback Sam Leavitt and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton. And it’s a big reason why Kiffin’s first transfer class in Baton Rouge is sitting atop the national rankings.
Let’s break down how Kiffin turned two near-misses into major wins - and why his aggressive, boots-on-the-ground approach is already reshaping LSU’s roster.
The Chase for Sam Leavitt
Sam Leavitt, the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal out of Arizona State, had just wrapped up his visit to LSU. He left without committing, instead heading to Knoxville for a visit with Tennessee and a scheduled trip to Miami after that.
Most coaches might’ve chalked it up as a loss and moved on. Not Kiffin.
Instead, the LSU head coach booked a flight to Knoxville and met with Leavitt in person before the quarterback could board his next flight. That face-to-face moment - a rare, late-stage recruiting move even in today’s hyper-competitive portal era - helped flip the script. Leavitt ultimately committed to LSU.
And it’s not hard to see why Kiffin went all-in. Leavitt brings a rare blend of arm strength, athleticism, and football IQ.
His high school coach, Jon Eagle from West Linn High in Oregon, described him as “super powerful,” “extremely confident,” and someone who can process complex information in the blink of an eye. That’s the kind of skill set that can elevate an SEC offense - and Kiffin wasn’t about to let it slip away.
Sealing the Deal with Jordan Seaton
Kiffin didn’t stop there. While Oregon, Miami, and Mississippi State were all making their final pitches to Jordan Seaton - the top-ranked offensive tackle in the portal from Colorado - Kiffin made another bold move.
He flew to Atlanta, where Seaton was meeting with Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, and got in one last conversation. That was enough to seal the deal. Seaton chose LSU.
It’s hard to overstate how important this addition is. Seaton is a cornerstone left tackle - the kind of player who can anchor a line and protect your new quarterback’s blind side for years to come.
Pairing him with Leavitt gives LSU a potential game-changing duo on offense, and it sends a clear message: Kiffin isn’t just rebuilding. He’s reloading.
The Kiffin Way: No Job Too Small, No Flight Too Late
When asked about his last-minute recruiting flights, Kiffin didn’t offer a grand strategy. Just a simple truth: “I don’t really do well with ‘No.’”
That competitiveness - that refusal to concede - is part of what’s made Kiffin such a polarizing and successful figure in college football. He’s not afraid to take swings, even if it means hopping on a plane at the last second or walking through Knoxville Airport just to get in front of a player one more time.
“My job here is to go sign the best players,” Kiffin said. “Regardless if that means I’ve got to go get on another plane or find a plane and show up somewhere.”
That kind of hustle resonates in Louisiana. As Kiffin put it, “That wires in with Louisiana people.”
He compared it to the LSU fans who somehow find flights and hotel rooms for Omaha the night before the Tigers play in the College World Series. It’s that shared mentality - find a way, no excuses - that Kiffin believes will connect him with the fan base.
A New Era in Baton Rouge
Kiffin’s coaching stops have always been eventful - sometimes chaotic, often successful. Tennessee fans remember his one-year stint in 2009 that ended with a 7-6 record and a quick exit to USC. Ole Miss fans watched him turn the program into a consistent winner, capped by a 13-2 campaign in 2025 before he left for LSU.
Now in Baton Rouge, Kiffin is bringing that same fire - and it’s already paying off. LSU’s 41-man transfer class, ranked No. 1 by 247Sports, is a testament to his ability to recruit in the modern era: fast, flexible, and fearless.
He’s not trying to replicate the past. He’s building something new.
“It doesn’t mean our way’s better or worse,” Kiffin said. “#Itsjustdifferent.”
Different, yes. But if the early returns are any indication, it might be just what LSU needed.