LSU lands top transfer portal QB Sam Leavitt to run Lane Kiffin offense

Lane Kiffin finally has his quarterback.

Kiffin and LSU football landed a transfer portal commitment from Arizona State's Sam Leavitt on Monday, Jan. 12, according to multiple reports. Leavitt is the No. 1-ranked player in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.

It took the Tigers until the final days of the transfer portal window, which lasts from Jan. 2-16, to find their starting quarterback for next season. Leavitt is LSU 's second quarterback commitment of Jan. 12, joining Elon's Landen Clark.

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Leavitt was heavily sought-after by numerous programs, including Miami, Tennessee and Kentucky , each of which he visited. He's an important addition for LSU, with former starters Garrett Nussmeier out of eligibility and Michael Van Buren transferring to USF, along with the addition of a new coaching staff.

Leavitt passed for 1,628 yards with 10 touchdowns to three interceptions in seven games this season, also rushing for 306 yards with five scores. The preseason Big 12 Player of the Year suffered a season-ending injury against Houston on Oct. 25.

Leavitt led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff bid in 2024 after passing for 2,885 yards with 24 touchdowns to six interceptions as a redshirt freshman after transferring from Michigan State . He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Kiffin first hosted Cincinnati 's Brendan Sorsby in the first few days of the transfer portal window, before Sorsby chose Texas Tech. He was also unable to coax former Mississippi starter Trinidad Chambliss , who's hoping to receive a sixth year of eligibility, to join him and former Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. at LSU.

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was also rumored to LSU after briefly entering the transfer portal but opted to stay with the Huskies.

Kiffin alluded to traveling to Knoxville, Tennessee , to see Leavitt after Leavitt's visit to Tennessee on social media, posting a photo of the Knoxville airport and another of a showcase holding Tennessee memorabilia.

Leavitt posted 303 total yards with two touchdowns in Arizona State 's 30-22 upset win over Texas Tech on Sept. 21, which was the Red Raiders' only regular season loss before falling to Oregon in the CFP.

Leavitt is set to lead a new-look LSU roster that has added 25 transfer portal recruits already ahead of Kiffin's first season with the program.

Sam Leavitt stats

Leavitt has thrown for 4,652 yards in his career on 376-of-612 passing (61.4%). He has 36 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in one year with Michigan State and two with Arizona State.

• 2023 (Michigan State):15-of-23 passing for 139 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions.

• 2024 (Arizona State):216-of-350 passing for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions

• 2025 (Arizona State):145-of-239 passing for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns, three interceptions

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sam Leavitt commits to LSU football out of transfer portal after visit