CBS Sports put Sam Leavitt right on the doorstep of the top 10 in its preseason quarterback rankings, slotting the LSU passer at No. 11 as attention around him keeps building before Week 1.
The ranking released Wednesday listed the top 50 quarterbacks in the country, with Oregon’s Dante Moore taking the No. 1 spot. Texas’ Arch Manning checked in at No. 2, and Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss was third. Leavitt was the fourth-highest-ranked SEC quarterback on the list as he heads into his LSU debut Saturday against Clemson.
Leavitt’s placement reflects both the upside and the uncertainty surrounding him. CBS Sports noted that he is coming back from a foot injury that derailed his 2025 season at Arizona State while also trying to get comfortable in a new offense inside an overhauled LSU program. The outlet said that if he gets back to his 2024 form, he’ll be in the Heisman conversation.
But the clock is ticking. After a limited spring, Leavitt will need to hit the ground running, and LSU’s early schedule doesn’t exactly offer a soft landing.
The Tigers open with Clemson and face Ole Miss and Texas A&M before September ends. CBS Sports made clear that Leavitt’s performance will go a long way toward shaping the ceiling of an expensive and already controversial Year 1 of the Lane Kiffin regime.
Here’s the CBS Sports evaluation of Leavitt:
“11. Sam Leavitt, LSU
Leavitt is returning from a foot injury that derailed his 2025 season at Arizona State and is also learning a new offense within an overhauled LSU program. If he returns to his 2024 form, he'll be a Heisman contender.
But after a limited spring, he'll need to be great immediately. The Tigers open against Clemson and play Ole Miss and Texas A&M before the end of September.
Leavitt's play will determine the ceiling for an expensive and already controversial Year 1 of the Lane Kiffin regime.”
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