Image Source: Robby Kalland
Key Takeaways:
- Sam Leavitt, the No. 1 player in the transfer portal, is expected to sign with LSU.
- Leavitt is a fantastic stylistic fit for LSU’s offense under Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr.
- The quarterback situation is now taken care of, and LSU fans can start to see the 2026 roster taking shape.
- Leavitt’s commitment to LSU means that other top programs, such as Miami, are still looking for their starter for 2026.
- The portal quarterback market has dried up, with the top five in 247Sports’ rankings all off the board.
Introduction to Sam Leavitt’s Commitment
Sam Leavitt, the No. 1 player in the transfer portal, is expected to land with Lane Kiffin at LSU. The former Arizona State quarterback is expected to sign with the Tigers, sources confirmed to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, as Kiffin’s full-court press to bring in the redshirt junior paid off with a commitment on Monday. Leavitt helped lead the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff appearance as a redshirt freshman in 2024. As Leavitt noted, "I’m excited to join the LSU family and be a part of the rich tradition of excellence in Baton Rouge."
What Leavitt Brings to LSU
After some early consternation about LSU’s lack of portal splashes, the Tigers have put together one of the top portal classes in the country alongside Texas. Leavitt is the star of that group and represents the most important addition for Kiffin, who had to nail the quarterback situation to get the Tigers into the CFP conversation in his first year. According to Kiffin, "Sam is a talented quarterback who fits our system perfectly, and we’re excited to have him on board." Leavitt’s mobility will be a plus in their system, as they’ve found success with QBs that can pick up chunks on the ground the last couple years with Jaxson Dart and Trinidad Chambliss. As Leavitt said, "I’m looking forward to working with Coach Kiffin and the rest of the staff to bring a championship to LSU."
Impact on the Team
With the quarterback situation finally taken care of, LSU fans can start to see the 2026 roster truly taking shape. Kiffin has had success turning transfer-heavy rosters into contenders. With Leavitt in tow, the expectations for the Tigers in 2026 will be a return to the playoff. The Tigers have revamped their receiver room, adding eight transfer wideouts, most notably four-star portal prospects Eugene Wilson III from Florida, Jayce Brown from Kansas State, and Tre’ Brown III from Old Dominion. Leavitt should have no shortage of talent to target on the outside, and knowing how Kiffin and Weis like to push the ball down the field, he’ll get to open it up and show his arm talent in Baton Rouge.
What’s Next for Miami’s QB Search
Leavitt heading to LSU means a few significant programs are still looking for their starter for 2026. That list includes Miami, which is playing in next Monday’s national championship game in what will be the last game of Carson Beck’s career. The Hurricanes have hit portal gold at quarterback the past two seasons with Beck and Cam Ward, but it’s not clear as of this moment who will take over for Mario Cristobal’s group. Could Alabama’s Ty Simpson be enticed with a lucrative offer despite announcing his intentions to declare for the NFL Draft? Much of the portal quarterback market has dried up, with the top five in 247Sports’ rankings all off the board and USC’s Husan Longstreet (No. 6) as the only player in the top 11 not committed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sam Leavitt’s commitment to LSU is a significant addition to the team, and his stylistic fit with Kiffin’s offense makes him an exciting prospect for the Tigers. With the quarterback situation taken care of, LSU fans can start to see the 2026 roster taking shape, and the expectations for the team will be high. As Kiffin noted, "We’re excited to have Sam on board, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in our system." The portal quarterback market has dried up, and other top programs, such as Miami, are still looking for their starter for 2026. Only time will tell how Leavitt’s commitment will impact the team, but one thing is certain – it’s an exciting time for LSU football.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/sam-leavitt-qb-lsu-lane-kiffin-college-football-transfer-portal/