LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt arrived in Baton Rouge after a search for Garrett Nussmeier’s successor by new Tigers coach Lane Kiffin. Leavitt sustained a Lisfranc injury midway through the 2025 season and underwent season-ending surgery in early November.
Earlier this week, Leavitt issued a statement calming LSU fans’ fears over a recurrence of his injury, clarifying that he had a screw removed from his foot on Monday.
Lane Kiffin Reveals Sam Leavitt Injury Update
During Wednesday’s segment of the “Crain & Cone” podcast, LSU insider Matt Moscona gave an update on Leavitt’s availability during the Tigers’ spring practices. While Leavitt participated in the first six sessions of spring ball, he is expected to miss the remainder of the practice period following his latest procedure.
“Leavitt had the Lisfranc injury in October,” Moscona said. “He participated in the first portion of spring, but with the screw being removed this week, the timeline aligns with him missing the rest of the spring sessions.”
Leavitt distinguished himself as a top quarterback in 2024, when he led the Arizona State Sun Devils to an 11-win season and a Territorial Cup victory. He is expected to be a focal point of Kiffin’s first season in Baton Rouge.
Lane Kiffin Not Concerned by Leavitt’s Spring Absence
Leavitt was a coveted prospect and was ranked the No. 1 overall player in the transfer portal after leaving Arizona State. Kiffin spearheaded the recruitment to convince him to choose LSU over other suitors.
While speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s spring practice session, Kiffin revealed that he was not concerned about Leavitt being limited during practice due to the shifting nature of the transfer portal in college football.
“I just feel nowadays it’s a little easier to play quarterback than it used to be years ago, as far as how long you’ve been there,” Kiffin said. “If you look around the country, a lot of people transfer, go play at new places, and look at the previous place we were at. The guy didn’t get there until the summer.
“That went into the decision where I feel like years ago you’ve been really concerned that the quarterback’s going to miss your spring. He’s done a great job mentally in the meetings and walkthroughs and able to throw some individual before this procedure.”
Last season, Leavitt earned a PFSN College QB Impact score of 79.7 after tallying 1,628 passing yards, resulting in 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, while adding 306 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
