Top-ranked transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt is reportedly expected to sign with the LSU Tigers, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday (January 12).
"Sources: Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt is expected to sign with LSU. Leavitt’s pick comes after trips to Kentucky, Tennessee and Miami. He led ASU to the College Football Playoff in 2024 and has 4,652 career passing yards and 36 touchdowns," Thamel wrote on his X account.
Thamel ranks as the No. 1 overall prospect for the 2026 college transfer portal, according to 247Sports.com. The reported commitment is a major recruiting victory for newly hired LSU head coach Lane Kiffin as the team faced a starting quarterback dilemma following Garrett Nussmeier's graduation and backup Michael Van Buren transferring to South Florida.
Leavitt, 21, who was selected as the Big 12's preseason Offensive Player of the Year, has threw for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions on 145 of 239 passing, while also recording 206 yards and five touchdowns on seven rushing attempts, in seven games for the Arizona State Sun Devils before undergoing season-ending surgery on a lingering foot injury. The former West Linn High School prospect initially signed with Michigan State as the No. 21 quarterback, No. 1 player from the state of Oregon and the No. 311 overall prospect for the 2023 national recruiting cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.