Ole Miss is not buying the idea that LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt is truly doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Oxford.
According to sources cited by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Rebels’ coaching staff is skeptical of Leavitt’s status after LSU listed him as doubtful on Wednesday’s SEC injury report. Ole Miss also does not believe Leavitt is necessarily out for the game, Thamel reported.
Under the SEC availability report policy, doubtful means a player is “unlikely to play,” with a “25% chance” of being available. The conference also bars gamesmanship “intended to hide a student-athlete's true participation status for competitive or strategic reasons,” and commissioner Greg Sankey can fine programs up to $100,000 for injury report submissions that are inaccurate or late.
Leavitt is dealing with soreness in his throwing shoulder and has been limited at practice this week, sources told On3’s Pete Nakos. He still played deep into LSU’s 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech last Saturday, staying in until the Tigers were up 24 with under nine minutes left.
The 21-year-old didn’t mention an injury after the game, and Kiffin also did not bring up any issue with his quarterback at Monday’s news conference.
If Leavitt cannot go, Landen Clark would be next up. The Elon transfer has appeared in both games this season and has completed 7 of 10 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. In 2025 at Elon, he went 6-5 while completing 56% of his throws for 2,321 yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Leavitt has already shown both sides of his game this season. He was excellent in LSU’s opener against Clemson, then battled turnovers against Louisiana Tech, throwing three interceptions while completing 25 of 38 passes. He also ran for three touchdowns and finished with 366 total yards.
Kiffin’s return to Oxford is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
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Ole Miss Just Got Another Reason To Circle LSU Saturday
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The legal fight has only sharpened the mood around a game that was already set up to carry real weight for both programs. With Umanmielen now on the LSU side of the rivalry and the lawsuit still hanging over the story line, this is the kind of off-field wrinkle that can make an SEC meeting feel even bigger before a single snap is played. [Read more 🡒]