Quarterback Sam Leavitt is the key to Lane Kiffin’s success in his first season with the LSU Tigers. Leavitt is also showing enough potential, with linebacker Whit Weeks drawing comparisons between Leavitt and former standout Tigers quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier.
Sam Leavitt’s LSU Transition Earns Major Endorsement From Whit Weeks
Leavitt entered last January as the No. 1 overall player in the transfer portal, and Kiffin made recruiting the quarterback a top priority. The LSU coach first hosted Leavitt on campus before traveling to Tennessee to meet him again at McGhee Tyson Airport ahead of the quarterback’s visit to Miami.
Kiffin’s heavy recruiting efforts paid off, and the first-year LSU head coach is now focused on helping Leavitt settle into the program. Though Leavitt missed spring practice after undergoing Lisfranc surgery in November, Kiffin said his attention has shifted from the quarterback’s recovery to his adjustment within LSU’s offensive scheme.
Whether that transition proves successful will become clear once the season begins, but Leavitt has already impressed teammates during workouts and practices.
Speaking with Matt Moscona on 104.5 ESPN, Weeks couldn’t hold back his excitement when discussing Leavitt’s potential.
“I cannot wait to see that guy playing in the fall,” Weeks said. “He’s special. Like I’ve seen, I’ve had my career here. I play with a lot of good quarterbacks, Jayden and Nuss. Sam’s up there with all of them, like right up there with them.”
👀 LSU linebacker Whit Weeks couldn’t hide his excitement about Sam Leavitt.
After playing with quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier, Weeks says Leavitt belongs in that conversation—and says some of the throws he’s making are almost impossible to defend. 🐯🔥… pic.twitter.com/VV1Q88EftJ
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) July 23, 2026
Leavitt enjoyed a breakout season at Arizona State in 2024, leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. He nearly helped pull off an upset against Texas in a 39-31 double-overtime Peach Bowl loss. He threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions in the 2024 season before an uneven 2025, as he injured his foot against Baylor.
Leavitt had 10 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions in seven games last season, but his potential didn’t go anywhere. Leavitt has continued to impress during LSU’s offseason sessions, and Weeks said the quarterback has been making throws that leave defenders with virtually no chance to react.
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“That dude can sling the rock,” Weeks said. “Me and TJ (Dottery) were talking…And it’s like, ‘Dude, like, how did he just throw the ball in that window? Like, how did he just get that past us?’ Like it’s just, it is, it’s unbelievable to see.
“I cannot wait to see what he does in the fall. Cause all it’s been is just a pass game. Like you haven’t even seen him run yet, so once you see a full Sam Leavitt, like a game, I can’t wait to see that.”
Leavitt has reportedly reached speeds of 21 mph on the GPS during workouts. The real test will come when LSU opens its 2026 season on Sept. 5 against Clemson, and Leavitt gets the chance to show his full skill set on the field.
