As the LSU Tigers gear up for the 2026 college football season, all eyes are on their new quarterback, Sam Leavitt. Recently, college football insider Joel Klatt revealed his top quarterbacks for the upcoming season, and Leavitt just squeaked into the top ten.
This article digs into Leavitt’s journey, his possible impact on the team, and what fans might see from LSU under head coach Lane Kiffin.
Sam Leavitt’s Journey to LSU
Sam Leavitt’s path to LSU has been pretty wild. He started out at Arizona State and transferred to LSU after leading the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2024.
He made the move after Garrett Nussmeier left for the NFL and landed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Leavitt’s arrival was a big deal for LSU, considering his stats and his playoff experience.
Impressive Stats at Arizona State
While at Arizona State, Leavitt racked up 2,885 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He completed just over 61% of his passes.
He also proved he could run, adding 443 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. That dual-threat thing? It could work really well in Lane Kiffin’s offense at LSU.
Lane Kiffin’s Offensive System
Lane Kiffin—yeah, the same guy who left Ole Miss for LSU—has a reputation for wild, high-powered offenses. His system is all about big plays and quarterbacks who can move.
Leavitt seems like a natural fit. Kiffin’s history with developing quarterbacks definitely gives LSU fans something to look forward to.
Kiffin’s Impact on Previous Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks like Fernando Mendoza and Will Howard have put up big numbers under Kiffin. Both transferred in and ended up leading their teams to national championships.
Kiffin knows how to play to his quarterback’s strengths. That bodes well for Leavitt, but, you know, there’s never a guarantee in college football.
Joel Klatt’s Top 10 Quarterbacks
Joel Klatt, a respected college football insider, just dropped his list of top quarterbacks for the 2026 season, and Leavitt made the cut. Even though Leavitt’s coming off an injury, Klatt still sees a lot to like and put him right at the start of his list.
Klatt’s endorsement adds some hype to the already high expectations for Leavitt this year. Maybe it’s deserved. Maybe it’s a bit much. We’ll see.
Leavitt’s Playoff Experience
One thing Klatt pointed out is Leavitt’s playoff experience. Taking Arizona State to the CFP in 2024 showed he can handle the pressure.
That kind of experience could make a difference as he tries to pull off something similar at LSU.
LSU’s 2026 Season Opener
The LSU Tigers kick off their 2026 season on September 5 against Clemson. Not exactly a soft launch—this is a huge test for Leavitt and the team right out of the gate.
If Leavitt plays well, it could set the tone for the rest of the season and help cement his place among the top college quarterbacks.
Key Matchups to Watch
Beyond the Clemson opener, LSU’s got some real heavyweights on the schedule. Games against Alabama and Georgia stand out as make-or-break moments for their playoff hopes.
Leavitt’s performance in those big matchups? That’s what everyone’s going to be watching, and honestly, that’s where his legacy at LSU will probably be decided.
Conclusion
The 2026 college football season is creeping closer, and you can almost feel the energy around LSU. Everyone’s talking about their new quarterback, Sam Leavitt.
He’s coming off a solid run at Arizona State. Now, with Lane Kiffin in his corner, there’s a real sense he might take the Tigers somewhere special.
All eyes will be on that first game—September 5, Clemson. Tigers fans are crossing their fingers for a fresh start and, maybe, a little magic this year.
Want more details or just curious about how things might play out? You can dig deeper in the original article on Yahoo Sports.
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