LSU’s quarterback room wasted no time showing its depth when fall camp opened, and day one already offered a clear look at how the Tigers want this offense to function this season.
The biggest takeaway came from Sam Leavitt, who opened camp with a steady dose of quick throws and short completions to tight ends Trey'Dez Green, Zach Grace, and JC Anderson. Green’s size stood out immediately, and with his 6'7 frame helping him track the ball, he looks positioned to be a major target for Leavitt.
Leavitt also showed he can work the ball outside. The No. 1-ranked transfer quarterback connected on passes down the field to Jayce Brown and Malik Elzy, giving LSU an early glimpse of a quarterback who looks comfortable spreading the field. Coming off a season-ending injury with the Sundevils and now settling into an offense full of new faces, Leavitt appears to be finding his footing fast.
"Looks like he's getting more comfortable with the receivers," said Kiffin in the post-practice press conference.
Landen Clark, the Elon transfer, got his own turn in the rotation and brought a different pace to the offense. He pushed the ball deep to outside receivers and also worked quick crossers to tight ends Malachi Thomas and JD LaFleur. His release, footwork, and decision-making all looked rapid, and he seemed at ease operating in the pocket before taking his shots downfield.
The rotation was busy throughout the session, but Clark’s snaps suggested a quarterback already settling into Kiffin’s fast-paced system.
Sophomore Husan Longstreet, who is expected to serve as the primary backup this fall, also logged plenty of reps. He took his chances with deep throws to Hawaii transfer receiver Jackson Harris, another player trying to climb the offensive depth chart during camp.
Between the short game, the deep shots, and the heavy quarterback rotation, LSU’s first day of camp pointed to a room with multiple options and a clear plan for how those pieces can fit together behind Leavitt.
In Other News...
Lane Kiffins First LSU Practice Already Sent A Clear Message
Lane Kiffin wasted little time putting his stamp on LSUs first preseason practice, and the early read was encouraging. The Tigers opened camp with what was described as a healthy roster, a useful start for a new coach trying to establish rhythm and urgency without first fighting through a pile of injuries. It also gave the staff a cleaner look at a group that can spend August focused on football instead of rehab.
Sam Leavitt was part of that positive opening as he continued working back from foot surgery, while D.J. Pickett also had a small but telling change of his own. Pickett moved from No. 3 to No. 5, a nod to the kind of recruitment promise LSU made and kept along the way. For a first practice, those details matter because they hint at a program trying to balance momentum, trust and the little things that shape a camp. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fall Camp Is Starting To Reveal Which Young Tigers Matter
Fall camp has a way of sorting out the newcomers quickly, and LSU is already getting a better sense of which young players can force their way into the conversation. With a lot of new faces and coaches adjusting on both sides of the ball, the Tigers are still in the early stages of figuring out roles, but a few names are beginning to stand out. Freshman wide receiver Barber drew positive attention during summer practices, while cornerback PJ Woodland is being viewed as someone who could matter on defense right away.
On the other side of the ball, tight end Thomas is also trying to make his case as the depth chart takes shape. He is working to earn playing time while building chemistry with LSU quarterbacks, which is the kind of camp task that can end up mattering just as much as the flashier moments. For a team that is still blending a lot of new pieces, these early reps are starting to show which young Tigers can help sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
LSUs First Defensive Look Created A Camp Battle Fans Will Watch
The first defensive look of LSUs 2026 preseason camp already put a couple of familiar spots under the microscope, and it came on a day when the Tigers were sorting out who fits where in the early pecking order. Freshman Jhase Thomas worked with the first-team safeties alongside Ty Benefield, while head coach Lane Kiffin talked up the competition and rotation that always come with the opening stretch of camp.
The defensive line picture brought another wrinkle, with freshman Deuce Geralds getting first-unit reps at tackle as LSU kept mixing and matching bodies up front. For a team trying to settle on dependable pieces before the season starts, those early choices matter, and the next few practices should say plenty about whether the newcomers are simply getting a look or forcing their way into real roles. [Read more 🡒]