Lane Kiffin’s new LSU QB: The no-star recruit with a cannon for an arm

Jeff Hauser

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Lane Kiffin’s new LSU QB: The no-star recruit with a cannon for an arm image

LSU may have found its next developmental quarterback in an unlikely place.

Former Elon transfer Landen Clark has committed to LSU through the transfer portal. The move gives Lane Kiffin his first quarterback addition in Baton Rouge. Clark will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Clark arrives without a background that typically defines LSU’s quarterback room, but he brings production and arm strength. The 6-foot-3 signal-caller completed 56 percent of his passes for 2,321 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, adding 614 rushing yards and 11 scores while serving as Elon’s second-leading rusher. He also took 35 sacks, a reflection of both his aggressiveness and the burden he carried in the offense.

A native of Radford, Virginia, Clark did not receive a star rating out of high school and entered the portal as a three-star prospect, ranked No. 58 among available quarterbacks. But LSU’s staff has a history of uncovering value at the position. Kiffin started a Division II transfer, Trinidad Chambliss, during his time at Ole Miss, and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. Has helped develop multiple overlooked passers.

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Clark is not expected to start immediately, but LSU’s depth chart remains fluid. The Tigers are still pursuing portal options, including Sam Leavitt, while rebuilding a quarterback room that lost Garrett Nussmeier to graduation and saw multiple departures.

Clark represents a low-risk addition — a no-stars passer with a cannon and time to develop. The perfect storm for Kiffin and Weis to let them cook in Baton Rouge. 

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Staff Writer