Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt headlined new LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s roster overhaul in Baton Rouge, which saw 43 players brought in via the transfer portal. Leavitt left the Sun Devils after two seasons and was the most sought-after quarterback in the portal before joining the Tigers.
Leavitt was one of several quarterbacks courted by Kiffin before he made the move to Baton Rouge, reportedly worth $4 million.
Ryan Clark Admits Mixed Feelings Over Sam Leavitt’s LSU Move
During Saturday’s segment of the “After Further Review” podcast, former Super Bowl champion Ryan Clark weighed in on whether the Tigers could win the national championship with Leavitt under center.
“I don’t know. I think that’s going to be the expectation,” Clark said. “A little background about how I feel about the Sam Leavitt thing, it’s bittersweet to me. I’m torn. I’m a huge Kenny Dillingham fan (ASU coach). I would have been happy if we had hired him as our head coach at LSU.
“Sam Leavitt, not that this kid wouldn’t have been great anywhere, but in part, he is where he is because he went to play at ASU. I think he can really play. He’s talented, he’s really, really competitive and I think he made the right move. The level of talent they’ve put around him, he and Lane, that’s the key cog.”
Leavitt spent a single season playing for the Michigan State Spartans before leaving to join Kenny Dillingham’s Arizona State. He led the Sun Devils to an unprecedented Big 12 title in 2024 and a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff. His 2025 season was ended by a Lisfranc injury after seven games, before he entered the portal and left for LSU.
Leavitt Scores High in Preseason Ranking
During Wednesday’s segment of the On3 podcast, analyst J.D. PicKell ranked Leavitt as the most impactful transfer in college football ahead of next season.
“This roster is only as good as the quarterback you have running the show. Lane Kiffin has said as much, the quarterback pushes things for LSU’s offense,” Pickell said. “Having a guy in Sam Leavitt who is familiar with playing college football, there’s no real guessing with him.
“His skill set fits with what Lane Kiffin wants to do in that RPO system with the quick release, the ability to create, the ability to call, design quarterback runs for him, all those things. Like Sam Leavitt is the straw that stirs the drink.”
Before his injury, Leavitt led the Sun Devils to a 5-2 record, earning a PFSN’s CFB QB Impact score of 79.7. He tallied 1,628 passing yards, resulting in 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, while adding 306 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
