Quarterback Sam Leavitt is officially signed with LSU after a last-minute push by Tennessee, as announced by LSU on Monday evening. The former Arizona State gunslinger will join head coach Lane Kiffin’s offense.
Per On3’s Pete Nakos, Tennessee was unaware that Leavitt planned to sign with the Tigers until news broke publicly. The Volunteers prepared a final offer to Leavitt’s camp, but it did not change the end result. Leavitt will don the purple and gold this fall.
The No. 1 quarterback and overall player in the transfer portal, Leavitt also took visits to Kentucky, Tennessee, and Miami. He led Arizona State to the College Football Playoff last season and holds career numbers of 4,652 passing yards and 36 touchdowns.
Sources tell @On3sports that despite late contract talks with Tennessee, Sam Leavitt will land at LSU. https://t.co/7t7XlJlRkxhttps://t.co/hxWO1yb3Uw
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) January 12, 2026
Kiffin came to Baton Rouge without a scholarship quarterback on the roster, making it a top priority for the portal recruiting period. Leavitt is the second transfer passer behind Elon’s Landen Clark, who committed on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football officially signs elite transfer portal quarterback