LSU's Lane Kiffin Posts About 'Ironic' Anniversary of Leaving Tennessee Amid Leavitt Transfer Rumors

LSU and Tennessee have found themselves in a battle for quarterback Sam Leavitt, the top player available in the transfer portal, with the Tigers emerging as the favorite on Monday.

So as expected, new head coach Lane Kiffin decided to chime in on the ordeal, albeit in a somewhat subtle manner on social media:

Kiffin has a history of volatile departures. In 2010, he departed Tennessee after one season to take USC's head-coaching position. The Vols were just 7-6 that season and Tennessee students didn't take the news well, to the point that police provided his family security.

It was one of his many stops as a head coach, which also included the then-Oakland Raiders (2007-08), USC (2010-13), Florida Atlantic (2017-19) and Ole Miss (2020-25). Fans didn't take kindly to Kiffin's decision to ditch the Rebels either, especially since it came while the Rebels were gearing up for a College Football Playoff run.

But Kiffin made his move, and now he needs a quarterback. LSU has a major hole at the position, with Garrett Nussmeier graduating and Michael Van Buren and Colin Hurley departing via the transfer portal. So does Tennessee, with Joey Aguilar graduating (but fighting legally for an extra year of eligibility).

Leavitt is the top player available on the transfer portal, per 247Sports, though a lingering foot injury limited him to just seven games in 2025 for Arizona State. He threw for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2025, completing 60.7 percent of his passes while taking 19 sacks across. He led the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoffs the year prior, throwing for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions.

And thus sets the stage for Tennessee's battle with LSU over Leavitt, all as Kiffin presides over the storm. The Tigers appear to be the favorites, leaving the Volunteers once again potentially burned by Kiffin.