Lane Kiffin, LSU Get Sam Leavitt Transfer Commitment, QB Signs Contract Amid Tennessee Rumors

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has signed with Lane Kiffin and LSU.

Max Olson of ESPN first reported news of the signing.

Leavitt had reportedly committed to LSU in the transfer portal on Monday, according to multiple reports.

Despite the news, Tennessee was reportedly still making a push for the signal-caller later on Monday, per Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports

In the end, the quarterback stuck with his commitment to LSU.

Leavitt is considered the top player available on the transfer portal, per 247Sports.

The 21-year-old threw for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2025, completing 60.7 percent of his passes while taking 19 sacks across seven games. His season was cut short in late October when he underwent surgery to address a lingering foot injury.

His 2024 campaign was far more fruitful, as he threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions while leading Arizona State to the College Football Playoff. In total, Arizona State was 16-4 in two seasons with Leavitt as the starter.

His addition is a huge get for an LSU program that has a huge hole at quarterback. While former former Elon quarterback Landen Clark joined the Tigers already via the portal, he's more of a project after spending the 2025 season at the FCS level.

With both Michael Van Buren and Colin Hurley transferring and Garrett Nussmeier graduating, LSU was left without a scholarship player at the position. The team does not currently have an incoming freshman in its 2026 recruiting class (though it still ranks No. 12 overall in 247Sports' Composite Rankings).

In other words, Leavitt's signing addresses the biggest hole on LSU's roster heading into Kiffin's first season.