LSU is banking on Sam Leavitt to give its offense the jolt it badly needs, and the quarterback arrives with a résumé that makes the Heisman conversation feel real.
The Tigers invested heavily in the top-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal, and the move came with a clear expectation: better quarterback play, more points, and a shot to get LSU back into national-title contention. LSU’s 2025 offense ranked among the worst in the SEC, so the pressure on Leavitt is obvious. But so is the upside.
Leavitt already has the kind of production that gets attention. He helped lead Arizona State to the College Football Playoff in 2024, and over 20 games with the Sun Devils he threw for more than 4,500 yards and 34 touchdowns.
He also added 10 rushing touchdowns and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. That’s the profile of a quarterback who can carry an offense in more than one way.
Experience is another reason Leavitt stands out. He has played in 24 career games between Michigan State and Arizona State, with more than 600 pass attempts and 196 carries.
Even though this is his first season in Lane Kiffin’s system, the learning curve shouldn’t be steep for a player with that much game action behind him. The transfer-portal era rewards quarterbacks who can step in and produce immediately, and Leavitt fits that mold.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman in 2025 in his first year with Indiana.
The fit with Kiffin also matters because Leavitt should have plenty of chances to create the kind of plays that stick in voters’ minds. He can extend plays with his legs, escape pressure, and deliver throws on the move.
He also has the arm talent to hit big plays downfield. Kiffin has shown he’s willing to let quarterbacks improvise and make things happen, and LSU saw that approach with Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss in 2025.
If Leavitt is given that freedom, the highlights should come fast.
And he won’t be doing it in the shadows. LSU is set for several big-stage games, starting in Week 1 against Clemson on ABC’s Saturday Night Football.
The Tigers should also be in the spotlight in Week 3 at Ole Miss, when Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford will draw the sport’s attention. With those kinds of games on the schedule early, Leavitt will have a chance to make a national impression right away.
As it stands, FanDuel lists Leavitt at +2500 to win the Heisman Trophy, which puts him 12th on the board.
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Jayce Brown Just Gave LSU Fans A Wild Glimpse Of Kiffins Offense
Jayce Brown is already giving LSU fans a reason to pay attention to Lane Kiffins offseason work, even before the Tigers have taken a snap under their new coach. The former Kansas State wide receiver has been training with LSU this spring, and his arrival comes with the kind of track record that makes him more than just another transfer body in the room. Over three seasons, Brown built a reputation as a productive pass catcher, and LSU is clearly hoping that experience translates quickly in a new offense.
What has stood out most, though, is the speed element that Kiffins system tends to lean into. Brown shared a workout update on social media that offered a glimpse of just how explosive he can be, the kind of number that turns a routine offseason clip into a talking point around Baton Rouge. For a team adjusting to a new playbook and looking for playmakers who can stretch defenses, Browns early buzz is exactly the sort of development that keeps the spring interesting. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Gives Bert Jones And No 7 A Place In Tiger Stadium History
Bert Jones is finally getting a permanent place in Tiger Stadium history, with LSU announcing that his No. 7 jersey will be retired on Nov. 14 when Texas comes to Baton Rouge. Jones was the first all-America quarterback in LSU history, a distinction that helped make him one of the defining players of his era in purple and gold.
His number will join the other retired jerseys already displayed at Tiger Stadium, a fitting tribute to a career that stretched well beyond college. Jones went on to become the No. 2 overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft and later earned NFL MVP honors with the Colts in 1976, adding another layer to a legacy LSU has now chosen to honor in a very visible way. [Read more 🡒]