Kiffin focused on QB Leavitt's offensive transitio...
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- Lane Kiffin said Sam Leavitt is past his Lisfranc foot injury and is "windmill dunking," shifting concerns from health to the QB's adjustment to LSU's offense ahead of the opener against Clemson.
- Leavitt transferred from Arizona State to LSU in the winter after Lisfranc surgery in November forced him to miss spring practice, and the source notes he led the Sun Devils to the Big 12 title in 2024 with 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, reaching the College Football Playoff.
- Leavitt's 2025 season was derailed by a foot injury sustained against Baylor in September, producing 10 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions in seven games with his completion percentage dipping one point to 60.7%.
- Kiffin compared Leavitt's playing style to Jaxson Dart — a former first-round pick he coached at Ole Miss — saying Leavitt is "probably actually faster" and hinting he would add a run-game threat that Clemson should be wary of.
- Kiffin projected Leavitt as a first-round selection in the 2027 NFL draft and noted the QB has been clocked at 21 mph on the GPS during LSU workouts while skipping SEC Media Days to lead a player-led practice.
- LSU linebacker Whit Weeks called Leavitt a "baller," compared him to Jayden Daniels from his freshman year and praised his ability to throw into "the tightest windows."
- Kiffin disclosed LSU pushed for Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby before landing Leavitt, quipped "thank God for unanswered prayers," and cited Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss as evidence that in-helmet communication makes it easier than ever for transfer QBs to skip spring practice.
Why it matters: LSU's opener against Clemson is the first real test of whether Leavitt can recapture his 2024 Big 12 title form after a foot injury limited him to seven games in 2025. With Kiffin openly floating first-round NFL draft comparisons to Jaxson Dart and stacking praise alongside Jayden Daniels, the Tigers are staking their 2026 ceiling on a quarterback who arrived without a spring of reps.
