Lane Kiffin’s first offseason at LSU didn’t exactly inspire immediate confidence at the quarterback position. For a stretch, it felt uncharacteristically quiet as the transfer portal filled with movement across the country while LSU remained on the sidelines.
With the 2026 transfer portal window nearing its close, however, the picture has finally come into focus. After a slow start in acquiring quarterback talent, Kiffin surged late, landing one of the portal’s most coveted players in former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt. What initially felt like a risky waiting game ultimately paid off, easing concerns among Tiger fans and delivering a potential centerpiece for LSU’s next offensive era.
2026 LSU Depth Chart: Quarterbacks Led by Sam Leavitt
With a new coaching staff in place, roster turnover was inevitable, and the quarterback room is no exception. LSU’s 2026 depth chart will look drastically different from a season ago, which is precisely what you would expect with a new sheriff in town.
Lane Kiffin has always been selective about the type of quarterbacks he targets, favoring players who can operate efficiently in rhythm-based passing concepts while also stressing defenses with mobility.
He found that blend with the quarterbacks who arrived this offseason. Sam Leavitt headlines the group, joined by former five-star high school recruit Husan Longstreet from USC and underrated three-star transfer Landen Clark from Elon.
Departures were just as notable, as Garrett Nussmeier exhausted his eligibility and headed to the NFL Draft. At the same time, Michael Van Buren and Colin Hurley moved on as part of the roster reset. The QBs this season will need to be much better than a year ago to boost that lackluster offense, which is ranked 66th in the country by PFSN CFB offensive impact grades.
Sam Leavitt
Sam Leavitt enters the 2026 season as the projected starter unless something unforeseen occurs. He appears tailor-made for Lane Kiffin’s offense, which thrives on dual-threat quarterbacks who can get into rhythm quickly and distribute the ball to playmakers with high-percentage throws.
His skill set naturally brings comparisons to Jaxson Dart, who played under Kiffin in 2024 before becoming a first-round pick by the New York Giants in the 2025 NFL Draft. That’s a strong company to be associated with and a clear indicator of how Leavitt could be utilized in Baton Rouge.
Some critics will look at Leavitt’s numbers from last season and label him overrated or point to a perceived drop in performance. But context is critical. His PFSN CFB quarterback impact grade of 79.7 was indeed down from the 82.0 mark he posted the year prior, when he ranked tenth nationally and helped lead Arizona State to the College Football Playoff, where the Sun Devils nearly knocked off Texas.
LSU fans should want that version of Leavitt, as the program is eager to return to the offensive dominance it once took for granted.
There’s little reason to believe he can’t reach that level again, especially considering he battled injuries throughout the 2025 season, something that inevitably affects consistency and production.
If Kiffin was able to elevate a Division II transfer like Trinidad Chambliss into a top-five PFSN impact grade quarterback, it’s exciting to imagine what he can do with a fully healthy Leavitt surrounded by elite talent.
Husan Longstreet
Husan Longstreet’s decision to transfer to LSU may have been an even bigger surprise than Leavitt’s commitment. When news broke that the former five-star recruit was leaving USC, speculation ran rampant about his next destination.
Few expected LSU to emerge after Leavitt had already announced his move to Baton Rouge, as immediate playing time didn’t appear guaranteed. Instead, this move suggests that Longstreet and Kiffin may be embracing a long-term development plan similar to what Dan Lanning and Oregon have successfully implemented.
That approach has proven effective, most notably with Dante Moore, who waited his turn while Oregon posted an 11–1 regular season, returned to the College Football Playoff, and advanced to the semifinals.
Moore was widely viewed as a top-two quarterback prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, according to the PFSN consensus big board, before choosing to return to school for further development. If Longstreet and LSU can replicate even a portion of that model, the investment will be more than worth it for both sides.
Landen Clark
Landen Clark is far less known nationally, but his potential is undeniable, which is why he made the jump from Elon to a Power Four program. Clark spent the 2025 season at Elon University in the CAA at the FCS level, where he demonstrated legitimate dual-threat ability.
In 12 starts, he threw for 2,321 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 614 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground, totaling 29 touchdowns. He also retains his redshirt season after appearing in just 4 games in 2024, leaving him with 3 years of eligibility remaining at LSU.
Before his collegiate career, Clark led his high school team to a perfect 15–0 record and a state championship, showcasing leadership and winning instincts. Whether his time in Baton Rouge becomes a long-term stay or a stepping stone before another transfer, competing in a quarterback room led by Lane Kiffin and facing SEC-level competition should only help his development and future prospects.
