LSU Rebuilds Its Quarterback Room with a Trio of Transfers - and a Clear Plan
When LSU opened the offseason with a glaring vacancy at quarterback - zero scholarship QBs on the roster - Lane Kiffin and his staff were staring down one of the tougher rebuilds in college football. In today’s transfer portal era, quarterbacks aren’t just looking for a place to land - they want to play. And fast.
But LSU didn’t blink. Instead, the Tigers went out and landed their guy - and then some.
Sam Leavitt: The New QB1 in Baton Rouge
The centerpiece of LSU’s quarterback overhaul is Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt, and make no mistake - this is the kind of addition that can change a season. Ranked by On3 as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 2 overall player in the portal, Leavitt brings both star power and proven production to Baton Rouge.
This will be Leavitt’s third stop in college football. He began his career at Michigan State before transferring to Arizona State, where he blossomed into one of the Big 12’s top signal-callers.
In 2024, he led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth - a breakout campaign that put him on the national radar. The 2025 season started with high expectations, but a midseason injury derailed his momentum.
Even before the injury, Leavitt’s numbers weren’t quite matching his 2024 output, but the tools were still there - the arm talent, the mobility, the poise. LSU is betting that a healthy Leavitt, in the right system, can get back to that elite level.
And that system? It fits him like a glove.
Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. have a track record of maximizing quarterbacks with Leavitt’s skill set. Think Jaxson Dart.
Think Trinidad Chambliss. Both thrived in this offense, and Leavitt brings a similar dual-threat ability with a bit more experience under his belt.
LSU had to fight for him. Tennessee and Miami were in the mix, and this wasn’t a bargain-bin deal.
But when you’re chasing high-end quarterback play, that’s the cost of doing business in the portal era. Just look at what Indiana and Miami did last year - they paid for top-tier QBs, and now they’re playing for a national title.
LSU is hoping Leavitt leads them down a similar path.
Leavitt’s Career Snapshot:
Passing Stats:
- 2025 (ASU): 7 games, 145/239, 1,628 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs, 129.2 rating
- 2024 (ASU): 12 games, 216/350, 2,885 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs, 150.2 rating
- 2023 (MSU): 4 games, 15/23, 139 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 127.3 rating
- Career: 23 games, 376/612, 4,652 yards, 36 TDs, 11 INTs, 141.1 rating
Rushing Stats:
- 2025 (ASU): 73 carries, 306 yards, 4.2 avg, 5 TDs
- 2024 (ASU): 110 carries, 443 yards, 4.0 avg, 5 TDs
- 2023 (MSU): 13 carries, 67 yards, 5.2 avg
- Career: 196 carries, 816 yards, 4.2 avg, 10 TDs
Husan Longstreet: The Five-Star Waiting in the Wings
While Leavitt is the headliner, don’t overlook Husan Longstreet, the former USC quarterback and five-star recruit from the 2025 class. There was a moment when it looked like Longstreet might be LSU’s top portal target. Even when the Tigers circled back to Leavitt, Longstreet remained in the picture - and ultimately joined the fold.
That’s a win on multiple levels. Longstreet didn’t play much during his freshman year at USC, but his talent is undeniable.
He was ranked as the No. 20 overall player and No. 7 QB in the portal by On3, and he could’ve easily sought out a program offering a clear path to a starting job.
But he chose LSU - even knowing Leavitt was coming in. That says something about the culture Kiffin is building and the long-term vision being sold in Baton Rouge.
Longstreet may not start in 2026, but he’s positioned to be a major part of LSU’s future. And with Leavitt expected to miss most of spring practice, Longstreet will get plenty of reps to make his case - not just as a backup, but as the next man up.
Landen Clark: The Underrated X-Factor
Then there’s Landen Clark, the Elon transfer who might just be the most intriguing piece of the puzzle. Clark was Elon's QB1 in 2025 and brings something the other two don’t: live-game experience.
Clark threw for 2,314 yards and 18 touchdowns last season while rushing for 826 yards and 11 more scores. He’s a true dual-threat quarterback with a knack for making plays off-script - the kind of guy who can give a defense fits if he’s called into action.
And he wasn’t short on suitors. Power Four programs like Michigan showed interest, but Clark chose LSU knowing he’d have to compete.
That says a lot about his mindset. He’s not here to sit quietly in the QB3 spot - he’s here to push Longstreet for that backup role, and maybe more.
With Leavitt sidelined for spring ball, Clark and Longstreet will split first-team reps. It’s a real opportunity for both to make an impression on the coaching staff.
And let’s not forget - Kiffin has a history of finding gems at the lower levels. Trinidad Chambliss came from D-II Ferris State and ended up leading Ole Miss to the Playoff. Clark’s path isn’t identical, but the potential is there.
Where LSU’s QB Room Stands Now
In just a few weeks, LSU went from having zero scholarship quarterbacks to having one of the most intriguing QB rooms in the country. They’ve got a proven veteran in Leavitt, a five-star talent in Longstreet, and a battle-tested playmaker in Clark.
This isn’t just about depth - it’s about building a sustainable quarterback pipeline. Leavitt gives them a shot to win now. Longstreet and Clark give them options for what’s next.
For Lane Kiffin, this is the kind of quarterback room you want heading into spring. Competition, talent, and upside - all three boxes are checked. And in a sport where QB play often makes or breaks your season, LSU just gave itself a real shot at something special.