No college football program made a bigger splash in the transfer portal than LSU during the 2026 cycle. And one of its biggest additions was quarterback Sam Leavitt.
After transferring from Arizona State — and before that Michigan State — Leavitt helped LSU land the No. 1 portal class in the country, according to 247Sports, where he was ranked the top overall transfer.
New Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin, who has built a reputation as a portal king, is bringing nearly 40 new transfers to Baton Rouge. That’s going to make for a completely different-looking team in 2026.
But none of those additions may be more important than Leavitt.
LSU explored other top quarterback options in the portal, including Texas Tech transfer Brendan Sorsby and Washington’s Demond Williams. Kiffin clearly made Leavitt the priority. The two were seen together at an LSU basketball game, and reports indicated Kiffin even flew to Knoxville while Leavitt was wrapping up a visit with Tennessee.
Come fall, the starting job is expected to be Leavitt’s. Hype is building again in Baton Rouge, but this is still a major transition year. And Leavitt will be the one leading it.
Sam Leavitt Listed Among Top Portal Fits
When you’re ranked as the No. 1 overall transfer in your class, expectations come with it.
CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah listed Leavitt among his top quarterback fits of the 2026 portal cycle, though he ranked him fourth out of 10, noting how much work still needs to be done around him.
“Few transfers were more accomplished than Leavitt, the No. 1 player in the portal,” Jeyarajah wrote. “The junior helped lead Arizona State to a historic Big 12 title in 2024 and led the Sun Devils to a 5-2 start last year before going down with a season-ending injury. LSU will give him a key opportunity to show off his talent, but it comes with some complications. The offensive line has a lot of work to do, and the wide receiver room is filled with newcomers. Leavitt has to be the one to figure it out.”
That’s the reality.
LSU is bringing in eight new offensive linemen while losing nine. The Tigers ranked 99th nationally in sacks allowed last season with 29, giving up more than two per game.
The receiver room is also almost brand new, with nine transfers coming in after a year where drops and inconsistency plagued the passing attack.
In other words, Leavitt won’t be stepping into a finished product.
NIL Expectations and Health Are Key for Sam Leavitt
Leavitt also joins LSU as one of the highest-paid college athletes in the country. His NIL valuation sits at $4 million, according to On3. And with reports that Sorsby signed for around $5 million to transfer to Texas Tech, it wouldn’t be surprising if Leavitt’s deal is in that same range.
But before proving his value, he has to prove he’s healthy.
He missed five games last season with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, finishing with 1,628 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, along with 306 rushing yards and five scores.
The year before that — his breakout season — he threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 443 rushing yards and five more touchdowns.
That’s the version LSU is banking on.
If Leavitt returns to that level, the portal gamble looks smart. If not, 2026 could feel more like a reset year than a breakthrough.
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