LSU landed three players on PFF’s top 50 list for the 2026 college football season, and the Tigers’ highest-rated name comes in at No. 41: quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Tackle Jordan Seaton checks in next at No. 43, while Trey’Dez Green lands at No. 49. That trio gives LSU a strong presence on the list, with Leavitt, Seaton and Green all positioned as central pieces for what the Tigers are trying to build in 2026.
PFF made clear what it sees in Leavitt, pointing to both the expectations and the tools. “There will be no shortage of pressure on Leavitt to perform as the leader of LSU's revamped offense.
While last season was a disappointing one by his standards, Leavitt is as physically gifted as any quarterback in the country. He ranked among the nation's top 10 in big-time throw rate (6.9%).
His athleticism is just as dangerous, as he has produced 39 explosive runs over the past two seasons,” PFF wrote about Leavitt.
The Arizona State transfer is the centerpiece of LSU’s offense in year one under head coach Lane Kiffin. The Tigers clearly view quarterback as the biggest swing factor on the roster, and they paid up to bring Leavitt to Baton Rouge after he was one of the highest-rated players in the transfer portal.
Seaton is expected to play a major role in making that investment work. LSU’s top offensive lineman is responsible for protecting Leavitt’s blindside, and he arrives after starting for two seasons at Colorado. PFF sees him as one of the better pass protectors in the country, and there’s a real chance he climbs well above No. 43 by the end of the 2026 season.
Green brings a different kind of problem for defenses. He already led SEC tight ends in touchdowns last year while emerging as LSU’s top pass catcher, and his 6-foot-7 frame gives him the kind of size and athletic profile that can tilt matchups in his favor. The upside is obvious, with All-American potential sitting right there if everything comes together.
As for LSU’s playoff outlook, FanDuel has the Tigers at +150 to make the College Football Playoff in 2026. That puts them just behind Alabama at +145 and ahead of Ole Miss at +165. Notre Dame, Indiana and Oregon hold the best odds to get in, all at -300 or better, while Georgia leads the SEC at -230.
In Other News...
LSU Just Won Another Big In-State Battle In The Secondary
LSUs push to stay ahead of the curve in the secondary picked up another important in-state win, and this one fits the long view the staff has been selling. The Tigers have been working not just on the upcoming season, but on the 2027 cycle as well, and adding a highly regarded Louisiana defensive back keeps that pipeline moving in the right direction.
The latest commitment also gives LSU a chance to think beyond the immediate depth chart. The prospect arrives with plenty of room to grow and should have time to develop before he is asked to make a real impact, and there is at least some built-in familiarity around the program with his brother already on the roster. For a team trying to stack talent in the state and keep the secondary stocked for years to come, it is the kind of move that can pay off in more ways than one. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Opener Already Has Clemson Facing Massive Pressure
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The quarterback picture is part of why the buildup feels so unsettled. Christopher Vizzina is viewed as the favorite to start, but Tait Reynolds is considered a real challenger, and Clemsons decision not to send a quarterback to ACC Kickoff only added to the sense that the competition is still open. For a team trying to make a statement right away, the opener now feels like more than just a high-profile game - it is also an early test of how quickly Clemson can settle its most important position. [Read more 🡒]
LSUs Running Back Battle Just Took A Frustrating New Turn
LSUs running back room has become one of the more interesting parts of the roster heading into the fall, and not just because of the names on it. Dilin Jones arrives from Wisconsin with a rsum that includes seven starts, 300 rushing yards and two touchdowns before a toe injury ended his season, while Caden Durham and Harlem Berry both bring their own flashes from last year. Add in the extra portal help LSU brought in, and there is no shortage of bodies for a staff that wants competition to sort out the depth chart.
Still, the frustration comes from how hard it is to know what the Tigers will actually get once the games start. Durham never topped 70 rushing yards in any of LSUs final nine games after his 95-yard outing against Florida, and Berrys best moments were often swallowed up by game flow, including the Texas A&M matchup when he was rolling before the run game faded from the plan. Lane Kiffins approach is to give everyone a fresh chance, but for LSU, the real question is whether that reset leads to clarity or just a longer wait for answers. [Read more 🡒]