Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is "likely" transferring to LSU, per ESPN. Leavitt had also taken visits to Miami, Kentucky and Tennessee, with the latter still hoping to land Leavitt before he signs with the Tigers.
If and when this happens, this move will send shockwaves around college football as Leavitt was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the sport heading into 2025, but was hampered by injuries in his final season for the Sun Devils. Now, the quarterback is likely heading to Baton Rouge to be paired with new head coach Lane Kiffin.
It will also be Kiffin's first year at LSU. Kiffin just led Ole Miss to their best season in program history before leaving for the Tigers, and did it with a quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, who spent the first four years of his collegiate career playing Division-II football for Ferris State. Now, signs are pointing to his getting Leavitt, who threw for 2,885 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024 when he was fully healthy.
Here is more on what Leavitt likely heading to LSU means for Kiffin and the Tigers.
MORE: Tracking all of the QB movement in the transfer portal
Sam Leavitt fit with Lane Kiffin, LSU
LSU appears to have its quarterback for 2026. Former Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier had no remaining eligibility and graduated, so the team needed a new QB for the 2026 season. When Nussmeier went down with an injury, Michael Van Buren Jr. Took over under center. He, too, will not be with LSU next season as he entered the transfer portal and committed to USF.
Kiffin now appears to have a quarterback project. The college football world just saw what the head coach could do with a player who played four years of Division-II football. Kiffin should now have a better chance of transitioning to his new program, provided Leavitt stays healthy.
LSU was always expected to utilize the portal for its 2026 starting quarterback. The Tigers would have had to have gotten a commitment from one of the top prospects in the class to think of starting a true freshman with their schedule. LSU's 2026 class currently doesn't include a quarterback. Kamar Brown is a five-star player, but he is listed as an athlete, per 247Sports.
Leavitt has two years of eligibility remaining if he wants them.
MORE: What would have happened if Lane Kiffin had stayed at Ole Miss?
LSU QB depth chart 2026
The LSU QB depth chart will continue to take shape as the Tigers get more commits, and if they make another effort to get a quarterback before the transfer portal closes.
For the 2025 season, here are the QBs that LSU had on its roster.
- Garrett Nussmeier -- out of eligibility
- Michael Van Buren Jr. -- transferred to USF
- Colin Hurley -- true freshman, entered transfer portal
- Ju'Juan Johnson -- converted to RB at LSU, transferred to Syracuse
- Tre People -- true freshman, entered transfer portal
- Emile Picarella III - true freshman
For the 2026 season, here is who projects to be the QBs on LSU's roster.
- Sam Leavitt
- Emile Picarella III
MORE: Where does Lane Kiffin rank among college football's highest-paid coaches?
Sam Leavitt age
Leavitt was born on Dec. 20, 2004. He is 21 years old, and will turn 22 during LSU's postseason after his first year there.
Sam Leavitt stats
Leavitt started his career at Michigan State, but redshirted after seeing action in only four games. He then transferred to Arizona State where he spent the last two seasons.
| Year | School | Games | Completion % | Pass Yards | Pass TDs | INTs | Carries | Rush Yards | Rush TDs |
| 2023 | Michigan State | 4 | 65.2% | 139 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 67 | 0 |
| 2024 | Arizona State | 13 | 61.7% | 2,885 | 24 | 6 | 110 | 443 | 5 |
| 2025 | Arizona State | 7 | 60.7% | 1,628 | 10 | 3 | 73 | 306 | 5 |
| Total | 2 schools | 24 | 61.4% | 4,652 | 36 | 11 | 196 | 816 | 10 |
MORE: Lane Kiffin timeline of controversial exits