Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers have their starting quarterback for 2026.
Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is signing with LSU, according to multiple reports. Leavitt was regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal, and also drew interest from Miami, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Sources: Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt is expected to sign with LSU. Leavitt’s pick comes after trips to Kentucky, Tennessee and Miami. He led ASU to the College Football Playoff in 2024 and has 4,652 career passing yards and 36 touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/sAol6XDodc
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 12, 2026
Leavitt is undoubtedly the most accomplished quarterback in the portal. He helped lead the Sun Devils to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, when he threw for 2,885 yards with 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. His 2025 season was cut short by a foot injury.
The Tigers were in dire need of a quarterback for 2026. Garrett Nussmeier is graduating, and backup Michael Van Buren is transferring to South Florida, leaving LSU without any experienced options on their projected roster. They had interest in Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr., but he wound up staying with the Huskies after his entry into the portal turned into a fiasco.
Leavitt still has two years of eligibility remaining, though he could certainly vault himself into NFL Draft conversations with a strong 2026 season. That would probably be just fine with Kiffin and the Tigers.
